A/N Hey all. I hope you can forgive me. I know it's been an unacceptably long time since I've updated this story. I had kind of given up on it for awhile if I'm being honest but I've decided to rededicate myself to it. I owe it to you all as well as myself. Please bare with me as it might take me awhile to finish it but I WILL finish it. Please enjoy this teaser. I felt that I could at least give those of you that are still with me a little something.
The bell rang for free period and I shuffled off towards my locker with my backpack slung over one shoulder. The hallway was littered with old balled up flyers, yearbook receipts, and discarded final essays. I kicked a small silver gum wrapper out of my path and watched it slide across the mud stained industrial laminate floor. I reached my locker and grabbed my lock to put in the combination. The lock clicked and I pulled the dial down. I listened to the metallic creek of the hinges and smiled as I opened my locker- that was the last time I would hear that. I took my backpack off and hung it on the hook inside the door. Looking inside, I let out an exasperated sigh. It looked like an episode of Hoarders in there. It had gotten a little messy during finals week.
I grabbed a nearby trash can and drug it towards my locker and started going through it all. I came to an old scarf I'd thought I'd lost. Alice had bet me five bucks that it was here and I should've known better than to bet against her but I'd been so sure that it was gone. Damn. I guess I'm out five dollars. I stuffed the scarf in my bag just as the smell of Axe came wafting through the air.
I felt him wrap his arms around my waist and kiss the back of my neck, making me smile. The smell of Axe intensified and I refrained from scrunching up my nose- something I'd gotten really good at in the last year.
"I've been looking all over for you," he whispered in my ear.
"Oh really?" I asked as I turned in his arms to face him.
"Mmhmm," he hummed and bent down to give me a kiss. As our lips moved together softly and slowly I ran my hands up his arms to clasp them around his neck. The back of my thumb hit something cold and my eyebrows knit together in curiosity.
"What's this?" I asked as I pulled the gold necklace out of his collar. I had never seen him wear jewelry before. I wasn't aware he even liked jewelry.
"Oh…uh…it was a gift," he said grabbing my hand. "Hey listen- can you give me a ride home? I got a ride with Crowley this morning but he went home early today."
"Uh," I paused to let my brain catch up from the quick subject change. I was still concerned about my lack of knowledge where my boyfriend was involved. "…yeah, sure."
"Thanks babe." He smiled. "Are you just now cleaning out your locker?" he asked when he noticed the massive pile of papers I had thrown in the trash.
"Yes," I whispered and nodded slightly embarrassed.
"You know you had two weeks to do this right?"
"Yeah, but this way I get the trash can all to myself," I gave him a cheeky smile and pointed the grey bucket overflowing with paper. "Now get out of here so I can finish," I said and pushed him playfully.
"I'll meet you in the parking lot." He laughed and gave me a quick peck before turning to walk down the hall. I turned back towards my locker and finished throwing out the last year of my life. Once all the old papers were cleared away, and I took down the old pictures and posters I had stuck to the door, I grabbed my books and piled them into my arms. I moved to balance them on my leg as I took my backpack from the hook and walked off towards the library to check them back in. Mrs. Cope smiled and made small talk as I handed her my books and made sure I didn't have any fees to pay. The bell rang just as I walked out and I headed towards my last class of the day.
The class passed much like it usually did except instead of notes everyone passed yearbooks back and forth.
Once the bell rang everyone sprang up out of their seats and rushed out of the door. Alice was waiting for me when I came out, flipping through a stack of pictures from prom.
"Hey, where were you last period? I thought you'd be in the library…" she said.
"Oh….I was cleaning out my locker." I told her as we started walking through the hallway.
"It's kind of late to be doing that don't you think?"She asked as we maneuvered through the crowd.
"Better late than never."
"Right you are," she said with a smug smile and held her hand out, wiggling her fingers.
"What?" I asked and looked away from her awaiting palm.
"You said you were cleaning out your locker. I know you found it."
"Found what?" I asked coyly.
"Bella, don't play dumb it doesn't work for you."
"Fine," I sighed and reached into my pocket. "I was hoping you would forget," I admitted and slapped the five into her hand.
"When have you ever known me to forget anything?" she asked as she curled her hand around Lincolns face triumphantly.
"I can't think of anything right now but there have been times..."
"Well if I do," she said as she reached behind me, "you can't leave the reminder hanging out of your backpack," she finished and wiggled the scarf in my face. I laughed, snatched it from her hands, and stuffed it back inside the bag. She stuck her tongue out and chuckled as we made it outside and walked down the steps toward the parking lot.
"Hey, do you want to come over and help me scrapbook?" she asked and waved the pictures in the air.
"Yeah, I'll be over right after I drop Mike off." Her forehead crinkled as her eyebrows scrunched up and the corner of her mouth turned down into a small frown, the usual confidence in her eyes replaced with insecurity. "Alice…?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. I'll see you in a little bit." She smiled and placed a pair of shades on her face in the nonexistent June sunshine; her dismal expression vanishing completely, like I had imagined it was there at all. She pulled her keys out of her bag and started walking off towards her car.
I heaved a sigh as I walked towards my truck only to find Jessica standing in front of Mike with her hand on his chest, fingering the gold links of his chain.
"Jess-"
"I know, I know what you said but it's important," I heard her say as I got closer. Neither of them had seen me coming yet.
"…Is it? 'Cause I can't r-"
"Oh, hey Bella," Jessica screeched cheerfully when she noticed me and forced a smile.
"Jessica," I said, narrowing my eyes in suspicion as I shifted my gaze from her, to Mike, to her hand that was still tinkering with the chain and back again. She quickly let go when she noticed me looking. Mike looked like he was holding his breath, as if he would drown in the tension.
"I uh…I'll just…" she mumbled and ambled off toward her car.
"…Everything okay?" I asked warily as I went to open the door on my truck.
"Yeah, of course," he said as he got in beside me. I put my keys in the ignition and she hiccupped before sputtering to a start.
"What was that about?" I asked.
He shrugged like it was no big deal and I ignored the suspicion that it was.
"Bella?" I startled and looked up to see Edward staring down at me. I hadn't noticed when we pulled up to the apartment or when he turned off the car or when he walked around the car to open my door- I was so out of it. I rolled my eyes at myself and I stood up to get out. This is why I don't think about Mike or anything concerning Mike. I guess I was paying for my little slip up in Wal-Mart.
