Hello! So sorry I couldn't get this chapter out yesterday but work and before-school summer work have really been dragging me down. I should still be able to maintain uploading daily, but I promise to let you guys know if I have to take a break for a day or two occasionally.
Anyway, here's your chapter. I'm kind of proud of how this one turned out, as Skye is my current favorite story line. Enjoy!
The next day, Skye woke up by herself, taking a few moments to remember where she was again. She looked at the clock, noting that it was 7:00. That gave her 15 minutes until breakfast, which she could work with.
She went over to the pile of her clothes on the floor, stopping just short before picking up her faded black t-shirt. They'll get mad if you just throw on whatever you want to, Skye. Compromising doesn't seem to work here.
Reluctantly, she went over to the dresser instead, picking out a baby blue blouse, matching it to a light gray skirt she had found. She put them on, then her gloves and a pair of knee high gray socks. Then, to finish it off, she peppered on a small amount of blush before looking in the mirror. She looked like a perfect little painting- except for the gloves, which clashed terribly with the rest of her outfit. She'd thought that the gloves would at least give her some comfort, but they clashed in a way that just made her feel worse for needing them.
Choosing not to dwell on it, she brushed out her hair, which she left down, before grabbing her backpack and shoes before heading downstairs.
"Hey, Mr and Mrs. Garrett, I was wondering-" she stopped abruptly as she made her way to the main level, seeing neither of them. She looked around a bit, before finding a note on the dining room table.
Mary, an unexpected event at work came up. There's cereal in the pantry and fruit in the basket on the kitchen counter.
Please make sure you grab something to eat and get to school at a prudent time.
-Mr. Garrett.
Skye tried not to let the sinking feeling in her stomach grow as she picked up an apple from the fruit basket and took a bite. They left you alone. After establishing a routine. Assholes. She took another bite as she sat alone at the dining room table. Don't think that, he just got called into work early. They didn't mean to leave you. Grow up and get over it, Skye.
She took another bite, then walked over to the trashcan and threw the half-eaten apple away. She looked at the clock, which now read 7:45. Not enough time to change if you want to make it on time. The dread settled into a knot at the bottom of her stomach, before she decided to just get the day over with.
After putting her old pair of tennis shoes on, she grabbed her backpack and made the short walk to school.
LINELINELINELINELINELINELINELINELINELINELINELINELINE
Picking at the edges of her glove, Skye felt more self-conscious than normal as she walked into Mr. Coulson's History class and sat down.
"Hey, Skye. Loving the style change." She looked up, seeing Grant's smirk. Is he making fun of me? or is he being nice? She bit her lip, examining his smug expression again. He might be hitting on you. Do you want that?
"Uh, thanks. not too shabby yourself." She internally cringed at her poor flirting skills that came out before she had intended. He IS cute. you can't deny that. She noted the bright smile he gave. Though, do you think the Garretts would allow you to have a boyfriend? if you even get to stay that long?
"Wanna sit with me at lunch today? I'd love to get to know you a bit more," He said, looking at her expectantly. Oh, what the hell, say yes. You know you want to. besides, even if it isn't like that, a friend would be nice.
"Oh, yeah, sure." She smiled, garnering her a smile in return. Yet, she couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling she was getting from him.
Mr. Coulson promptly caught the attention of the class, sparing her from further conversation, and the rest of history class went much better than it had the previous day. Just as she was about to walk out, however, Mr. Coulson caught her attention.
"Hey, Skye, can you help me with something real quick?"
shit. Am I in trouble? The other part of her bit back with a No. Do people ask for help when they're about to punish you, stupid?
"Yeah, what's up?"
"ah, I can't get pop ups to stop appearing on my laptop, and I heard from Mr. Stark after school yesterday you're really good at computers. Can you fix it real quick? Don't want an ad ruining all the fun of the roaring 20's." He smiled gently, letting Skye relax some.
"Oh, yeah, of course. gimme just a minute." She set her bag down before going over to his laptop and installing a simple ad blocker. "That should be good."
"Thanks. Oh, and I just wanted to check on you after yesterday." He seemed troubled for a moment, before continuing softer with a "are you doing alright at home, Skye?"
She felt her heart rate speed up as the dread that had settled in her gut started snaking back up to her chest. "Oh, yeah, of course. I just really needed to go to the bathroom." She smiled weakly, but he didn't seem like he bought it. He didn't press further, however, instead looking at the clock.
"Alright. well, you better make your way to your next class. And if you ever need anything, feel free to talk to me, Skye."
She nodded hurriedly in response before picking her backpack up again and walking out of the room. The rest of the classes before lunch had passed by uneventfully, and she had just gotten her lunch before scanning the room for Grant.
He should be around here somewhere. He did ask me to sit with him. she scanned the room again, looking closer. Maybe he just wanted to play a joke on you, the cynical part of her mind commented. being the new kid and all.
She scanned the room again when a voice pulled her from her concentration.
"Hey, Skye." She turned around, seeing grant. She felt the tug of a smile on her lips, relief flooding her system that he didn't just ask and ditch her. "You ready to find somewhere to eat?"
"Yep. Lead the way." He led her outside, underneath a tree in the courtyard. "I like to eat here because it's less busy. Though, it can get cold in winter." He smiled again, taking a seat under the tree. Skye promptly joined him, flattening out her skirt as she sat. Hopefully they won't be mad if I get this dirty.
"So, what kind of things do you like to do?"
"I like computer science and coding," she replied, getting an intrigued nod. "what about you?"
"That's cool. I like going to the gym. Helps clear my head."
"Working out is not a personality trait, Mr. tall and brooding," she teased, rolling her eyes.
"ah, okay, I see how it is," he replied, faking irritation. "Because hacking makes you the most interesting person in the world." He readjusted his position in order to face her better, but in doing so they had become close enough for his leg to rest against hers, which Skye tried not to think about.
They kept chatting throughout lunch, and Grant remained slightly within her personal space for the rest of the time, though Skye pretended not to notice.
After lunch she breezed through the rest of her classes, before making her way home, feeling slightly more gross and fake than she had when she left, if that was possible. If he likes you like this, isn't that better? they like you better like this, too. She assured herself. At least, you think they'll like you better than this. they weren't even there this morning. She smothered those thoughts, instead electing to focus on her computer science project, but couldn't shake the feeling that she was becoming more and more plastic with each passing moment.
Hope you enjoyed! Please leave a review if you'd be so inclined!
