Chapter 609: Tree Hill High School

Wednesday, March 8th, Afternoon

After leaving the field house, she realized she had forgotten a book she needed for homework. Looking at Keni, Sawyer shook her head.

"I forgot my civics book," Sawyer said.

"So?" Keni asked.

"I need it for homework today," Sawyer said.

"Really?" Keni asked, pissed off.

"Yeah," Sawyer said.

"Can't you just blow this assignment off?" Keni asked.

"No," Sawyer said, "I need good grades."

Keni sighed, "Yeah, whatever, your dad will just get a writer in residence somewhere, and you'll go there," she said.

"So nihilist of you," Sawyer said.

"I just want to get out of here," Keni said.

"I'll go get my book and meet you at the limo," Sawyer said.

"Yeah, I can't wait to get my own car," Keni said.

"Stop being a grump," Sawyer said.

"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Keni said and walked away.

Sawyer shook her head and went to the nearest stairs. Her locker was on the second floor. After the school closed, the halls were eerie quiet. As Sawyer passed by the weight room, she could hear the clanking of weights. She shook her head and finally found her locker. With a few grunts, she opened it and pulled out her books. Sawyer never had an issue finding her locker, as it was next to the one with the big dent.

Closing her locker, she put her book into her backpack and re-slung it on her shoulder. Once it was settled on her shoulder, she started to head towards the commons. Sawyer looked around and started to see the posters for the pep rally Friday. One of them was one Sawyer made.

Sawyer paused and walked over to it. She looked it over and nodded with a smile. This poster was some of her better work, and she was glad she went with this design. The five starters had their numbers on this banner; Sawyer smiled and looked into the corner; very small was the number 43, her number.

"Had to slip your number into the poster," a male voice.

"I thought you weren't talking to me," Sawyer said.

"I'm not," Gareth Reuter said, neither of them turning to face the other.

"Then what is this?" Sawyer asked.

"Me commenting on a piece of artwork," Gareth said.

"Sure, you are," Sawyer replied.

"Well, you did a good job with the banner," Gareth said.

"Thank you," Sawyer said.

"You were always a good artist," Sawyer said.

"I taught you," Sawyer said.

"I learned like a rock," Gareth said.

"But you kept coming back," Sawyer said.

"Not anymore," Gareth said.

"Why are you here?" Sawyer asked.

"Office hours," Gareth said.

"But why are you here?" Sawyer asked.

"Admiring the artwork," Gareth said.

"Gar, stop dancing around the question," Sawyer said.

"Please, don't call me Gar," Gareth said.

"Why? I've called you Gar forever," Sawyer said.

"It's a nickname my friends call me," Gareth said.

"We are friends," Sawyer said.

"Not anymore," Gareth said.

"So, why are you talking to me?" Sawyer asked.

"I'm not; I'm admiring the artwork," Gareth said.

"That pretense had dropped a moment ago," Sawyer said.

"Is that what you think?" Gareth asked.

"Yes," Sawyer said.

"I've heard you've been talking to a few guys," Gareth said.

"Why should it matter to you, as you said, we're not friends?" Sawyer asked.

"Just be aware not everyone is well-meaning," Gareth said.

"Thank you," Sawyer said, "For your unneeded and unwanted concern."

"Well, you're talking to the new guy, Kenelm Parker," Gareth said.

"Yeah, I was his student ambassador," Sawyer said.

"He's too slick for his own good," Gareth said.

"Well, your concern, while unwanted, is unnecessary, as I'm not interested in him," Sawyer said.

"What about Kier Hammel?" Sawyer asked back.

"You were talking with him," Gareth said.

"That wouldn't be any of your business, as you said; we're not friends anymore," Sawyer said.

"Be aware that several guys are counting down to when you turn sixteen, and they can ask you out," Gareth said.

"Fuck! What is wrong with you, you, you males," Sawyer said.

"I don't know," Gareth said.

"Ewe!" Sawyer said.

"Yeah, sorry," Gareth said.

"Whatever, I got to meet Keni," Sawyer said.

"Sawyer," Gareth said.

"Shut up, you've said enough," Sawyer said and walked away. Sawyer went down the stairs that led to the commons, out the front doors, and to the waiting car.

In the car, Keni looked at Sawyer. "Sawyer, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing I want to talk about. Can we just go home?" Sawyer said.

"Yeah, sure," Mina said.

The car drove off, with Keni watching Sawyer, concerned.