Chasing Sin

34

"How do you think you did?" I ask Taylor as we leave Mrs. Hall's classroom.

We just finished our Lit exam over poetry, including Shakespeare's sonnets, which wasn't easy. Luckily I spent about an hour or two studying last night before my chat with Ethan.

"I don't know," she wavers. "Maybe I should have studied more for that one instead of my physics test. What about you?"

"I think I did okay," I say honestly. I feel pretty good about the test, and I took Mrs. Hall's advice to heart, at least the part about preparing for the test. The effects of the rest of her advice are still in the works.

"Well at least one of us will have a good grade in that class," she says with a shrug. "I'm going to German. Have fun at the library, nerd!"

I laugh and go to my locker to put my books away, but I stop myself before grabbing something else to study.

After Ethan confused the hell out of me yesterday, I've desperately wanted to talk to Sin.

I just can't bring myself to confront him. What if I was really wrong about it all? What if he hates me now? What if I should still be hating him?

I know there are too many unanswered questions, and I shut my locker, deciding to go to our willow tree.

Hopefully Sin will be there and can clear some things up. I just want to get to the truth. I hate not knowing what really happened.

When I reach the meadow, I spot the beautiful greenish willow tree, and I take a shaky breath as I approach it.

What am I even gonna say?

What am I going to do if I was wrong? My heart is beating a hundred times a minute, and my anxiety is through the roof.

I tug at my white crop top, which is comfy, but a little shorter than most of the cropped shirts I wear. I just like it because it makes me look tan, something I had always assumed I was before coming to California.

I also run my fingers through my hair, subconsciously fixing my curls. The last time I talked to Sin, I looked like a maniac. Some sort of sleep-deprived Adderall addict with an aversion to hairbrushes. I'd like to look a bit better for this conversation, especially if it goes well.

I pull aside the curtain of pendulous willow branches and brace myself for this conversation, but when I look up, I see nothing.

Sin isn't here.

I sigh, a little disappointed. I suppose I shouldn't have assumed he'd be here waiting for me when all I've done is ignore him for the past couple days.

My phone buzzes and I pull it out of my pocket to check. It's a text from Taylor.

Physics test cancelled, leaving now!! Meet us in the parking lot ASAP

Of course Sin isn't here. He's already on his way to Lake Tahoe with the others. It totally slipped my mind with all my conflicted feelings floating around.

I guess I can talk to Sin after this 6 hour drive.

I leave the beautiful meadow and head back to the main academic building, then go out to the parking lot where I know Taylor always parks.

I don't see her anywhere, or Kace for that matter.

"Taylor?" I call out, into the empty parking lot. I probably look like a lunatic, but I continue. "Kace?"

"Please don't storm off."

I turn around, my hair swishing around with me, and I swivel to see Sin standing beside his own car.