Strings Attached

Chapter One

Lucy straightens. "Are you sure you don't want me to give you a ride to school?" she offers. "It really wouldn't be a problem."

"No."

Everyone stares at me with wide eyes. I hadn't meant for my tone to be so harsh because Lucy was only trying to be nice, but there is no way in hell that I was getting into a car or letting my brothers into one. I've avoided getting into a car for four months, and I wasn't about to start again now. The thought of Lucy driving around terrifies me enough as it is.

I clear my throat awkwardly. "Sorry. Thanks for the offer, but I think, we'll pass. It's a nice day, so walking will be good for us." Slinging my messenger bag onto my shoulder, I give her an apologetic smile. "Bye, Lucy. Have a good day."

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"Will you be okay? Do you need anything?" I ask Austin for probably the millionth time since the high school came into view. My anxiety levels shot up exponentially when we dropped Elliott off. I pulled him for a hug that I never wanted to end; it was like I was a parent dropping their kid off at the first day of kindergarten.

We're in the hallway as the crowd of students is beginning to thin out as they reluctantly start to head to their first hour class. Austin sighs in irritation. "Yes, I'll be fine, Mom," he snaps.

I flinch at his words.

Austin's brown eyes widen as he realizes what he said, and I know he hadn't meant anything by it. "I'm sorry, Cody. It's just this year is going to suck enough as it is, and you're going all crazy on me," he says quietly. I know I was being overbearing and overprotective and needing to lighten up, or else my brothers would mutiny, kicking me out onto the streets.

Taking a deep breath, I try to undo the tight knot of anxiety in my chest. Breathe, Cody, breathe. Austin will just fine. Elliott will be fine. Everything will be fine. "You're right—I'm sorry. Have a good day. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

A look of sadness takes hold in his eyes. Without thinking, I pull Austin into a hug, which is interesting now because he is about four inches taller than me. He makes a noise that is somewhere between embarrassment and surprise, but that doesn't stop him from returning the hug. When we pull apart, neither of us say anything.

Finally, I say, "We should probably head to class. See you around, Austin."

He gives me a small nod and begins to walk down the hallway. I watch his tall, lanky figure disappear instead of going to class right away. Why am I still a mess of nerves when everyone, including myself, has told me that everything is going to be okay? I can't be scared of what might happen for the rest of my life, but I can't seem to stop. I wonder if it's even possible for me to do so anymore.

The bell signaling the start of class rings, pulling me out of my head. "Shit," I curse as I take off running towards my class, the sound of my Converse slapping against the linoleum the only sound in the hall. I'm so stupid—I was so worried about making sure my brothers got to class in time that I forgot that I needed to as well.

I skidded to a stop in front of Mr. Graves' room. The door is shut already, so I pray no one will really notice me come in. I wince as the door squeaks as I open it, ruining any chance of a smooth, silent entrance. To make matters worse, Mr. Graves announces, "Well, it was nice of you to decide to join us, Miss Walker."

Forcing myself to remain calm is easier said than done. I know my eyes are wild and strands are falling out of my ponytail into my face, making me something to look at. "Anything for you, Mr. Graves. I would hate to be the cause of your broken heart," I deadpan, the words fall out of my mouth without checking with my brain first.