Splinters: Part One

Part One | 17

"You do?"

"Every guy does. Well, at least, every guy who isn't a self-centred prick."

I didn't laugh. Instead, I sat up and waited for the class to start.

...

At lunch, I spotted Bella in the lunch line. When she waved me over, I was a little surprised, but nonetheless, I approached her.

"Hey, how's not having Ursa around?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Kind of the same as always, except she's not with you."

Bella smiled. "It's weird for me. I hate being a freshman and going to school without her. This place is too big."

I fiddled with my tie for a moment and laughed uneasily. "Just a little."

Spotting Collie in the corner of my eye taking a seat at her usual spot, I hooked a thumb over my shoulder to indicate Bella I was leaving.

"Oh, you're going to sit with her?" Bella frowned.

"Y-yeah. Is that bad?"

She shook her head. "No, of course not, it just would've been nice not to sit alone."

"I can-"

"It's okay. Seriously. I'll just go sit with Grady," Bella nodded her head to my right.

I turned, seeing Grady in his usual spot alone. I frowned. I wanted to sit with him and maybe Bella, too, but Collie was right over there...

"I'll catch you later, Brayden."

I looked back at Bella as she tugged a strand of hair behind her ear and walked passed me. Slowly, I turned and made my way towards my now official girlfriend. She was staring at me when I finally sat down next to her.

"Hey."

"Hi."

She nodded towards Bella. "What was that about?"

I lifted the flap of my lunch box and took out my sandwich. "Bella?" I glanced at her and frowned when I saw her talk to Grady. "We were just talking."

Collie nodded and for a few moments, she was quiet, and I thought I was off the hook, but then she continued abruptly. "About what?"

"Ursanne," I enlightened.

"So you talked about your sister to her best friend?"

I smirked. "Kind of."

"So when did you two tie the knot?" a boy with a shaved head asked, pointing between Collie and I.

Collie glared at him. "We didn't get married, Brock."

"No, but seriously," Zech stepped in. "When?

He didn't look the slightest happy and it kind of scared me. Zech had the power to do whatever he wanted to me. I had to be cautious around him if I didn't want me and Collie to break up. This just started and I was enjoying it.

"Saturday," I said confidently.

I noticed Andrew glance between the two of us and slowly eat the burrito he had for lunch.

Zech raised his eyebrows. "Saturday. Hm. So, not that long?"

Collie glanced at me. "Just about two days."

"What a celebration!" Zech spat. "Two days of being together and you guys act like it was meant to be!"

I rolled my eyes. "What are you talking about?"