The Improbable Clause of Missing You

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

11:

One study session led to another, and soon, the four of us had fallen into a pattern of sorts, meeting regularly to study at the library. Granted, often it was just Sebastian and I, but the company never really mattered much.

Besides, we were studying.

Especially with the mid-terms coming up.

As I explained this to Frankie, who was annoyed that we never invited her –hey, she was always a distraction, sorry –, Quinn ran up to us.

"Owen's looking for you, Hayley. Can't eat lunch with you guys. Got to go, bye!"

With that, she ran off. It wasn't uncommon for this to happen. Geez, she sure was handling a busy schedule. Who knows how she managed it so well. I turned to Frankie.

"Looks like it's just you and me, bud," I nudged Frankie. "Help me hold this, will you?"

As I opened my locker to arrange my things, my phone buzzed.

13:29, Sebastian: Want to hang?

13:30, Hayley: With you? Eww

13:31, Hayley: Just kidding, but I really can't. I have plans today.

I turned to Frankie, who was peering at my phone. I poked her side.

"Ooh, someone's a little eager," she sang loudly, uncaring to the several people who were in the hall and currently staring at us.

"Oi, quit it," I muttered.

"What would Owen say?"

"What would Owen say about what?"

A very untimely and distinct voice asked.

"Nothing! Nothing. Hey, Owen," I greeted.

"Smooth," Frankie mouthed.

Owen smiled, leaning over to kiss me. I swatted him away. His smile fell, and his gaze grew guarded.

"Owen, we're in school. There are people around."

"So? Let them watch. Then they'll know you're mine."

There it was again. I froze momentarily, but the motion went unnoticed to him.

At this point, Frankie decided it was time to leave.

"I'll... Just be over there," she finished lamely, excusing herself quickly.

"Is something wrong?" He asked, moving closer.

"Nothing's wrong." I wanted to hit myself. My reply came out too fast.

"Then will you have lunch with me?"

I almost said no, but there was something close to desperation in his tone.

"Ah... Okay." I turned to tell Frankie, but she'd already left.

Figures.

The thing is, I didn't know why I was so reluctant to go. Or why I'd been passively avoiding Owen for the past week. I'd played it off as just a mood, or just being far too busy, but it was becoming clearer that something was wrong.

As I mused about this, said boy placed a tray of food before me on the field and sat down.

We stared out onto the open field for a while, both content with the silence. Or, at least I was.

"So, let's talk." He started, breaking the silence.

"Hi Owen."

"Hello Hayley," he smiled. "We haven't spent time together in a while."