Cracks

Chapter 26 Common grounds

Eric shifted nervously under Alisson's continuous amused smile. He wasn't sure he liked this new, teasing side of hers. Perhaps the old, snarky Alisson hadn't been so bad.

"Sooo, how was your weekend? Make any more drunk late night calls?"

"Ugh," Eric snorted, "I've consumed alcohol before you know."

Alisson pouted. "Aww really? And here I thought I had a bad influence on you. I'm disappointed."

"A little alcohol won't kill me," Eric said, "I'm like almost eighteen."

She snorted. "I wasn't talking about that. I'm disappointed I ain't the one that corrupted you. I'm losing my edge."

Eric rolled his eyes. "Of course it's about you again."

Alisson smiled proudly. "Who else would it be about?"

They entered the math room together and Eric sat down next to Alisson after removing the chair for her that was behind the desk. "Did you do the assignment Mr. Rogers gave us?" he asked.

Alison shook her head. "I have an excuse note."

Eric raised an eyebrow. "Lemme guess, one you wrote yourself?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, smartass, a real one, with a real reason. I been busy this weekend, you know. Staying out of prison, answering calls from drunk people."

"Very funny," Eric said dryly.

"Actually it wasn't," Alisson said, "there was this loser calling me in the middle of the night while I was trying to sleep..."

He groaned. "I already apologized."

"I regret giving you my number."

Eric sighed. "So how did it go? With your thing?" He was careful to not mention the word 'court' in case anyone would overhear.

"I don' wanna talk about it," Alisson said. She had been a wreck all weekend. Seeing him again had left its marks and brought her back to a place of fear and weakness. She never wanted to feel like that again.

Eric studied her carefully. Something in her eyes had changed. They looked more guarded now. He sighed. He didn't like that look on her. It made him worry. He wetted his lips and hesitated a moment. "I... I won't judge you, you know. In case it's something bad..."

His words had been meant to ease her, but had the opposite effect. She whipped her head towards him and glared at him. "So you automatically think I'm the one at fault? I did somethin' wrong? That must be it, right? I'm the delinquent after all."

"That's not what I was suggesting," he protested, but he wondered if that was really true. Hadn't he been playing with that thought before? That maybe her predicament had been her own fault? That she had committed some crime?

Alisson snorted. "Whatever. I'm outta here." She pulled her bag on her lap and wheeled herself out the door, almost knocking over the teacher that was just about to enter the classroom.

"Alisson! Wait!" she heard Eric call.

But she did not stop. And he did not come after her.

...

Chase Reynolds had a puzzled expression on his face as his eyes followed the girl in the wheelchair that seemed to be determined to break some speed record. Ever since running into her two days ago in the courthouse, she had been constantly on his mind.

"Alyssa Scott?"

"Hey," he called the attention of his cousin that walked next to him.

Zeke looked at him curiously. "What is it?"