Living With Animals

Chapter 48

As we walk out the door, Cooper catches my eye. "Later," he mouths, smirking.

It causes flashbacks from what only happened 10 minutes ago.

We get out to eh car and Jacob sets me down over at the passengers seat.

I open the door and get in.

"Thank you."

"Youre welcome."

"Yeah."

"We have to go back how we were before this incident don't we. Pissed at each other and not talking."

"It feels like we should."

"Okay."

We reach the house and walk in the door. We're not even at Coopers house anymore, yet my legs still tremble and shake.

"Are you okay?"

"No."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Okay."

"Okay."

"I still love you."

"I still love you too. But we weren't meant to be."

"Yeah."

"Yeah."

"We suck."

"We do."

"Yeah. I'm going to bed now. Goodnight Claira."

"Goodnight Jacob."
++++++++++++++++
2 days later- Monday, February 8th
"So how was your night?" Isabelle asks. "You said you were going to hang out with friends later, so how'd it go?"

The question stops both me and Jacob mid bite. He mouths to me to tell her and I shake my head.

"It was good. Lots of fun."

"Well good. I'm glad. Are yo excited for school?"

"Ish."

"Well it'll be fine. Now y'all gotta go. I'll see you later."

"Bye."

I head to my car, as Jacob does to his, and I leave for school.

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Later after school and softball practice.

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"Need a ride?"

A guy, not much older than me, walks up to me as I leave the softball fields.

"Depends. Do you think I want to live the rest of the day, or die?"

"Live?"

"Exactly. So what do you think my answer is."

"I'm not gonna kill you? That's fucked up. I'm not even gonna touch you. Thats rude."

"I know. Unfortunately, not all guys understand that."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"Not your fault guys can't keep it their pants. I mean it is guys faults, but not yours in particular."

"Right. Anyways, is that a yes or no?"

"That's a no."

"Damn. Does that mean you say no if I ask you for number?"

"Depends. Are you going to pull a Cooper?"

"A cooper?"

"Nevermind. Here-"

I hand him my phone. And he adds in his number.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"Easton."

"Easton, like the Easton Ghost bat?"

"You play softball?"

"No, I'm just in a softball uniform and am leaving the field for no reason."

"You're really sarcastic."

"I know."

"Okay?"

"Anyway, I'm Claire. Claire Johnson. I'm a sophomore."

"Easton. Easton Castrote. Senior."

"Ah. A senior. I see."

"Ah, A sophomore. I see."

"Why'd you even ask me for a ride anyway."

"I just figured it'd be a nice gesture. It looked like you were waking home, but I see not," he says, as we approach my car.

"So if it's not because you wanted to kidnap me, it must mean it's a pity thing?"

"Pity? What for?"

"Because i'm supposedly ca- actually you know what? No reason."

"Yeah. Okay."

"Well, Easton, I have to go. Isabelle and the boys are probably wondering where I am by now?"

"The boys. The family i'm staying with while my mom and dad and brother rare down in southern california. They couldn't move back here with me, and this is where I wanted to go back to school, now that treatment is done."

"Treatment?"

Shit.

"Yeah. It's nothing. Not the pint. Anyways, I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow or something."

"Yeah okay. You're in my advanced language arts class, and creative writing. And Math."

"Yeah. I jsut moved up today, actually."

"You're smart."

"So i've been told. Just kidding. Thank you."

"Yup."

"Alright, Bye."

"Bye Claire."