The morning breeze was chilly. I'd overslept, so we were all late. Both my parents had left earlier than us and I still had to drive my sisters to summer school. The three of us had been running around the house; I even ended up having breakfast while brushing my hair. Thankfully, my sisters had set their lunch and were ready before me. Straightening my blouse, I made my way to Mom's car. Haley had been kind enough to carry my backpack, too.
"Thanks, Hals." Her brown eyes lit as she cracked a smile through the rear-view mirror. I was glad things were much better between us. I had a feeling she still liked me to call her Hals because she hadn't protested like on the first week when I came back.
I don't know what Mom had told them, but they were being extra-nice with me. I had a feeling that the fact that I looked like crap when I woke up, had something to do with it, too.
My eyes were puffy and red from all the crying. I'd put on some over-the-counter eye drops Mom had left me on the bathroom sink. They had helped with the redness, but not with the puffiness. I tried to mask it by applying dark liner on my lids. Which only ended up making my eyes stand up more than usual, but I didn't have time to take the makeup off.
Right as I was parking the car in front of the school, Riley placed a hand on my shoulder. "Chris called you yesterday, but you were gone. I forgot to tell Mom." Her tone was soft, laced with concern at the same time.
I turned to her. Haley was already outside of the car, waiting for her. I wanted to prod more. Like what had he said, at what time exactly had he called, how did he sound. Yet, there was barely time for everyone to get to class. Including me.
"Thanks," I tried to smile, but I was pretty sure a crooked expression, more like a grimace, came out. She nodded before hopping out of the car.
Michael had summoned us on the classroom again. Warily, I made my way through the hallways. The door was closed when I reached the room. Worrying my lip, I pushed open the door. The whole group was there. All except Michael. At least I'm not that late.
My eyes locked with Caitlin for a moment. She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, her usual cheeriness gone. She actually seemed pissed at me. Take that, you bitch. I rolled my eyes as I stepped to the first empty seat, who happened to be next to Chris.
I settled my backpack on the table. "Hey," I heard his rough voice as soon as I plopped on the chair.
I glanced at Caitlin once again. She scowled. "Hi." He must have followed my line of vision because when I turned to him, he had leaned back on his seat, looking guarded.
"I called you last night," he crossed his arms, his thick brows furrowing. "Riley said that you were out?"
I nodded once. "Yes," I trailed cautiously before adding, "I went to a karaoke bar with Caitlin." I couldn't help but asses his reaction.
His lips pressed in a tight slash while averting his eyes. "Huh. I didn't know you do karaoke now," his right hand started to tap on the table.
"I left early," I muttered, turning back to my seat. I couldn't be mad at him. He did say he had a list of conquests, didn't he? And he had every right to. Still, I couldn't help but feel my stomach burning just thinking about it.
Thankfully, Michael walked inside the room right at that moment. He was pretty excited about the upcoming exposition. He gave us an encouraging speech about how we all had come a long way during the last few weeks. I zoned him out. I couldn't share his excitement. I was still leaving in two weeks and I had no clue what the hell was going on with Chris.
I couldn't help but think back to a year ago. Chris was so different. I distinctively remembered the time I planned our Valentine's date. I'd set out a perfect set of events but everything turned inside out. My lips tugged up on a half-smile. I'd bought a marathon ticket for an art film festival thinking we would have so much fun at the movies, but we were barely able to finish the first one. It was awful. The whole thing was a documentary on hungry children; while we'd bought half the candy store. Then, I wanted to have a romantic picnic on the backyard. I'd even paid my sisters to set candles outside, to set the mood, but apparently, I was out of luck that day. Rain had poured on us as we reached our house. We ended up watching a movie and sharing pizza with my sisters. Chris had been the best, though.
I gazed at him. He was taking notes from whatever Michael was saying. Everyone else was. I took out the little notebook I always carried on my backpack to look the part. I had no idea what our teacher was going on about. However, my eyes were drawn to Chris again.
Mom was right. She almost always was, it was sort of unnerving, to be honest. I had to stop thinking about the past. I couldn't do anything to change it, anyway. I had to concentrate on the present.
Whatever I do today, is going to have consequences tomorrow.
My breath caught in my chest for a second.
Today, I just want Chris.
Our class finished early. From the pictures we'd already chosen, we had to pick the best one. Apparently, that was some serious business because Michael made a grand speech on how to look for specific details that would made it the photo. I think I was going to print one from the public library. I kind of hoped that Chris would help me out.
I took my time placing the notebook and camera inside my backpack. When I looked up, there was no one in sight. My stomach sank a little. Chris hadn't waited for me. Awesome. Sighing, I zipped the bag and made my way outside.
While I stepped through the main doors, I saw Chris talking to Caitlin, but he didn't look happy. She poked him on the chest, probably cursing, before stomping away.
Curious, I was about to approach him to ask what was going on, but decided not to. I couldn't be following him around like a lost puppy. I had some dignity, after all.
Hitching my backpack's strap over my shoulder, I turned to the opposite direction, towards the parking lot I'd left Mom's car.
Just as I was settling my bag on the trunk, someone placed a palm on my right arm. "Why are you leaving?" Chris voice tone was wary, but his eyes were intense when I glanced up at him. They roamed all over my face; he knew that I'd been upset. He didn't say anything, and I was thankful for that.
I shrugged. "We're done for the day, aren't we?"
"I thought you'd be interested to know that Josh Hutcherson was going to be on set today," he crossed his arms, feigning nonchalance. "I can sneak you in and you can fangirl over him," he finished with a small smile.
Finally, grinning I pulled down the trunk's door with a loud bam. "That sounds intriguing, but I have to pack for the weekend." He pursed his lips, bobbing his head. "But I'm sure I can squeeze down time for a chocolate sundae before I have to pick up the little monsters."
He shook his head, smiling boyishly at me. "Your sisters are great."
All the tension from last night, seemed to evaporate as we both talked like any other day. "I know. We share the genes, and I'm super cool."
He rolled his eyes playfully and my heart warmed for him. No matter what happened, Chris, that geeky boy that I first fell in love with, emerged from time to time because it was part of him, and it was just one of the pieces in the puzzle that I adored. Chris was so much more and I loved all the pieces that made him be him. "And modest," he mumbled running a hand through his hair.
"And funny," I added snorting.
His eyes darkened for a moment, and his tone softened. "And beautiful."
My heart skipped a beat, and I blinked rapidly because my eyes teared up. Looking at my shoes, I lifted my shoulder. "I'm not arguing with that."
He took a step closer, his right hand wrapping on my waist, and his left pulling up my chin so I could look at him. "I'm glad we agree on something." My eyes roamed all over his face. I loved these moments. Flirting and having fun. My whole body hummed as his lips brushed mine.
Every time we kissed, time stopped and the world around us blurred. There was just us and the burning sensation that consumed me from my very core.
His pupils were completely dilated when we pulled away. My heart was soaring for him. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Let's get you that ice cream."
While he drove my car to the ice cream parlor, I realized that he hadn't forced me to ride the motorcycle anymore. Thank God. That thing terrified the bejeezus out of me.
We ordered our sundaes and I found myself telling him about all the plans that Cassie had for the weekend. I omitted the part about looking out for colleges, though. We had planned to do that on Friday, while we had time alone. I wasn't sure if to tell him or not.
Everything was sort of shady as it was, so I decided not to.
However, time was running out and that was a talk that we were bound to have next week. I was leaving after that. Secretly, I was hoping that he'd be the one to brought out the subject. Only that with my luck, I'd probably have to be the one trying to start the conversation. I wasn't looking forward to that.
"The theater seems like fun," he commented as he dipped his spoon into the sweet concoction.
"Yes, it does." I stared at my own dessert for a moment. Looking up, I glanced at him. "I'm glad you're coming to New York, too."
He swallowed the spoonful he'd just put in his mouth. He licked his lips before his face broke into a half-smile. "Me too."
Feeling brave, my heart fluttered as I leaned into him. "You sort of missed a spot," I murmured in a soft whisper. His grin widened as I kissed him.
Thank you for reading me!