The ride back home was silent and not those comfortable silences I crave; no, this was soul drenching, torturous silence that screamed of being ended. I kept glancing at Carter but through the whole ride, he didn't look at me and I know that because I could feel when someone looks at me; I could feel the heat of someone's stare and I didn't get any. Even Mark and Emma noticed that something was wrong but they kept silent. It was uncomfortable for them but they didn't poke him, neither did I. It was evident he was thinking something and with the fact that we didn't speak at all, I am guessing I was the guilty party in his thoughts. My mind went to overthinking mode and I started guessing every possible bad thing I did and my radar stopped at one particular thing; the conversation I had with him last night when I told him I didn't want to date right now. I like him and I know he likes me too but I don't want to rush anything. I don't want to look back to this day and think that just because I couldn't wait to sort my feeling out, I made a bad decision. If that happens, I won't just hurt myself but I will hurt Carter as well. When Carter pulled at Emma's place, Mark got out as well. He said he had some work with her but it was pretty obvious that he was trying to escape the awkward situation. I don't blame him, I would have done the same thing. When Carter pulled at my place, I got out but he stayed in his seat looking ahead. I got out and sighed in exasperation.
"Carter, is everything okay?" I asked obviously knowing the truth. He hummed in response and I sighed. I guess, I am not getting anything out of him today. I turned around and started walking towards my house but about halfway through I heard his voice.
"WAIT!" He said and I looked around to see he was getting out of the car. He jogged towards me and stopped when he was close.
"Yeah?" I asked and he looked at me with a blank face.
"I want to take you somewhere. Tomorrow evening after school." He said without any hint of question.
"Carter, I told you already I don't..."
"No, I am not asking you out. I just want to take you somewhere." He said with a blank face. He hides his emotions pretty well because right now, I have no idea what is going on in his head.
"Can you promise that you will not have this stone cold stature tomorrow?" I asked him and his face cracked into a small smile.
"Yeah, I promise." He said and I smiled at him.
"Sure then." I said and he went back to his car. I looked at him and just as he was about to get in his seat, he stopped and looked at me.
"Oh and one other thing, keep your bike ready." He said and took off. I frowned at him last comment. It was strange for him to ask me to drive but I guess changes are good. I didn't mind. Besides I am a pretty good driver. I went in and my mom was standing right at the door with obvious questions in her head.
"Walk of shame?" She asked and I just shook my head in disappointment. Which mother wants her daughter to have sex?
"Oh come one! Not yet!? At least tell me you kissed him." She shouted while I was walking up the stairs.
"MOM! NO!" I said and I heard her make a tch sound. I sighed and went in my room. My mom is absolute crack head but I love her anyway. I went to my room and lazily kept all the things on my bed. I lied down looking at the roof thinking about this weekend. It was fun and I met all these new people plus I had such an amazing time with my friends but I was sad for some reason. Maybe because Carter was upset, maybe because I didn't know what he was thinking. I hate the fact that my life started revolving around him and I hate the fact that just because he was sour mood put me in the same mood as well. It was enough for me to forget about all the fun I had and just keep thinking about him. This is exactly the reason why I don't want to date right now. I don't like that I am keeping someone else above me, even if it is subconsciously.
I sighed and went inside my bathroom to take a quick shower. We left a little late so it was dinner time and I was starving. I changed into comfortable clothes and went down. I was glad that mom took care of dinner today as I was in no mood to cook. I was in no mood to do anything for that matter. She put my part on my plate and I ate it without paying much attention.
"Okay, you just came from an awesome vacation and you are still in a bad mood. What happened?" Mom asked me and I told her everything that happened in these two days.
"Come on man! I didn't raise you like this? When did you started pining over a guy?" She said in annoyance and I looked at her in surprise.
"What?"
"Look, why are you not talking to him? What are you afraid of? Just ask him directly what's bothering him and talk it out!"
"I am afraid of knowing his answer." I barely whispered but she heard me.
"Look honey, not knowing is even worse for you. I know how that overthinking brain of you worse. You won't ask him what his deal is, you will make up some worse case fake answer and then you will start crying about that. Before that happens, just talk to him. If he was reasonable enough to understand why you couldn't trust him before, I think he is mature enough to have a conversation with." She said and I nodded quietly.
"He actually told me to go with him somewhere." I said and her face lit.
"Great then talk to him then."
"Actually, I am afraid that if he asks me out tomorrow, what will I do? I don't want to lose him as a friend but I am not ready for a relationship either." I said and she nodded in understanding.
"Look, he is a nice guy. He won't ask you out when he already knows that you don't want to be asked out in the first place. Even if he does, if you are not ready, just tell him no. Tell him the truth and don't lie to him just to make him happy. That will hurt him a million times over later."
"I don't know if I can do that."
"Peach! You are not weak honey, you are mature and you know what decision is the right one in any situation. Have faith in yourself and you will do the right thing." She said and I nodded. After I was done with the dishes, I went up and buried myself in work. Since tomorrow was week day and I didn't finish any projects or assignments in the weekend, I had a lot of unfinished work to do. I quickly took out my schedule and realized I had two assignments pending for Monday. I did a quick research and completed them in an hour. It was already late so without losing any time, I quickly wrapped myself in the blanket and sleep took me in.
I woke up before the alarm went off and I felt like a freaking hero. Usually, I wake up at my seventh or eighth alarm and I haphazardly pack everything forgetting one or two stuff in the process. I got ready and went down but mom was no where in sight. I guess, she is used to the fact that I am a lazy sloth bear and she wakes up late herself. I made breakfast and just as I was finished, mom came in the kitchen definitely not expecting to see me.
"Didn't sleep well?" She asked in her bed voice and I chuckled.
"I slept pretty good but I woke up before alarm." I said.
"That sounds like Halley's comet." She said before leaving to get freshen up.
"That beautiful?" I shouted and she laughed.
"That rare you optimistic ass." She said and I chuckled.
After breakfast, I quickly rode to school. I am going to be incredibly early but that was never a crime. Though, I could take a long way to school. I took the long route and was quite happy with this decision. It's not like I did it for the view or anything, I just like riding long distances. I like the wind that take my problems and worries away. The cold breeze feel weirdly comforting to me and the fact that I have to stay focused on the road helps me to keep my mind of things; to stop me from overthinking about situations I can't control. I might sound melodramatic right now but it's true. I love road trips, specifically alone. I don't have the continuous haunting thought that I have to keep my companion entertained. I can just stay silent or say things out loud to myself without anyone judging me.
When I reached school, I parked my bike and went straight to my friends. Mark was, as usual, flirting with Emma and she was actually smiling and talking to him. Until now, I only saw her getting irritated by him but I guess she is warming up. Ashley, Noah and Mia were talking about some thing and I guess Mia was really into the conversation because she had her serious face on. Sofia, Carter and Chris were talking and laughing. I greeted them and went to my class. I had Physics first and I took my usual seat. I kept the seat beside me empty for Carter. When he came in, he gladly took the seat and smiled at me. Pretty soon Mr. Evans came in and everyone settled down.
"So, did you guys finished the assignment I gave you last week?" He asked and I frowned. I did complete the assignment but no greetings or anything? He was in a bad mood I guess. There were collective groans in response and Mr. Evans seemed pretty angry.
"If none of you did the work, I am gonna have to give detention to all." He said and shrugged. I meekly raised my hand and he looked at me hopefully. I am good at studies but I hate being called on. I might seem like an attention seeker but I am literally opposite to it.
"Yes Ms. Claire?" He said and stood up.
"I did the assignment sir." I said and he walked towards me to check it. He looked at every answer, now and then using his pen to mark something. He handed me my assignment back and I had one question wrong. I groaned and fell back on my chair.
"Well, Ms. Claire did most of the work but can anyone explain question nine to me." He said and a hand rose beside me.
"Mr. Grayson, you know the answer?" He asked and Carter nodded all the while smirking at me. That rat bastard!
"Good! Then please come up and solve it on the board." He said and Carter stood up walking to the front with his usual carefree posture. I heard many sighs beside me and looked at girls practically swallowing him with their eyes. I rolled mine and muttered jerks under my breath. I want to say that I was just annoyed and nothing else but deep down, I didn't like girls looking at him as if he is their favorite dish.
He solved the problem on the board and cockily went back to his seat. I was so focused on hating the fact that he solved the problem, I didn't see his solution once.
"Mr. Grayson, you did a mistake in this. Can anyone point out what it is?" Mr. Evans asked and my head snapped to look at the board. I quickly did it in my head and realized he made a very fundamental mistake. I smirked at him and raised my hand.
"Yes Ms. Claire?" He said and I got up again. I might not like drawing attention but I was enjoying this.
"Mr. Grayson seem to not understand the basics of friction for you see, the friction applied on the object and that on the inclined plane will be in opposite direction. He took both in the same direction and messed up the results." I said confidently and Carter huffed beside me. Mr. Evans smiled and I knew I was right.
"You rat bastard!" Carter said when I sat back down and I chuckled.
"Funny, I said the same thing about you few minutes ago." I said and he frowned.
Rest of the day went pretty quickly, mostly because I was fantasizing about what Carter has planned for today. When I came home, I quickly took a shower and went out with towel wrapped around me. I took my phone and there was a text from Carter.
Gray: Wear something badass ;)
I smirked and took my black skin tight jeans, dark green tank top and a black leather jacket. I put my boots on and went out to see Carter waiting for me in the driveway. He smirked at my outfit and handed me the helmet.
"Where is your bike?" I asked him.
"I parked it in your garage. I told you we will take your bike." He said and smirked.
"You are smirking a lot today. What's the deal?" I said while taking my bike out. He sat behind me and held me by my waist.
"You will know." He said and I took off.
........
Soooo? Where do you think Carter is taking her? Stay tuned to find out! Until then, vote and comment.