Chapter - 12

Last Hope

I pulled up at the rear school car park it was over packed I couldn't find a free parking space even after I circled twice I still couldn't find one spot

Seriously today couldn't get any worse?

Deciding I couldn't be bothered anymore I drove up onto the curb and parked under a tree, not that I would be needing any shade anytime soon

I slide out of the driver's seat

"Ouch" I winched as I bumped my elbow against the car door while trying to lock it

I only imagine it would be a lot worse if I didn't disinfect the gash; I jumped in the shower quickly to remove and sweat or filth I had gathered during today's events.

I almost yelled out in pain when the water first hit the open wound, I checked out the damage in the mirror; there was blood oozing out not wanting to get an infection I bandaged myself up, being careful to keep the bandage smooth so it wouldn't be noticeable under my shirt

I grabbed a clean pair of dark blue jeans and pulling over a grey long sleeve shirt I checked my arms out in the mirror reflection... Almost perfect but if you looked closely you could differently tell there was something abnormal there

Well it is going to be freezing tonight giving me a great excuse to pull out my favorite jacket, a brown leather hoodie.

I zipped my jacket up no kidding it was really cold my breath fogged in the air

I met up with Allison and her grandfather, I looked around the stands were full with students and parents, in the background I could hear the coach yelling drills at the Beacon Hill's Lacrosse team

Allison introduced me

"Hello Mia so glad you could make it, this is my granddad Gerard"

I stuck my hand out to shake Gerard's, he appeared fragile and old but my instincts were sending me warming signs that something wasn't right about this man

He gripped my hand tightly increasing the pressure as we shook; it was like he wanted to prove something to himself

I pulled my hand back quickly stretching my fingers out checking there was nothing broken

"Lovely to meet you, Allison speaks very highly of you" Gerard raised his eye brows at me

"Err…Thanks" I half smiled

Gerard cleared his throat pulling out a hankie

"Sweetie can you please find us some seats?"

"Sure" Allison smiled and walked in the direction of the stands

I went to follow her but Gerard put his hand on my shoulder stopping me from leaving

"Wait a minute Mia" Could this guy be anymore freaky?

He coughed violently into his hankie

"I had a very angry young lady in my office this afternoon claiming you punched her in the face"

Gerard coughed again, my mouth dropped open

"I was surprised to find when I had excused Jenna from my office a line of students were waiting outside" Gerard smirked

I didn't understand where the conversation was going so I just stayed quite nodding my head

"It was interesting that they all had the exact same thing to say, that they had all seem Jenna smash her own face against her locker…"

"What…" I … why did everyone? I knew she wasn't very nice but

Gerard moved his hand to the middle of my back pushing me towards the stands. I could see Allison waving at us

"That poor girl had lost her mind… now I'm very skeptical about this whole situation I think there is more to it but I will you give the benefit of the doubt this time" he grinned evilly at me

"Oh…thank you" was all I could say in response, I couldn't believe everyone had stuck up for me

Walking with Gerard towards the stand I waved to Stiles who was sitting on the bench I guess he wouldn't be playing tonight. He waved back

Allison had found a small row for us to fit on; things became awkward quickly when Allison didn't want to move from the outside of the stands so I had to sit on the opposite side of Gerard…great

Allison looked apologetically at me

The game started and all I could hear was the crowd "Ohhhh… ahhhing" as the boys on the field kept getting smashed to the ground by the other team's giant player … like seriously this kid was built

"Good god is it always this violent?" Gerard asked

Allison nodded as she shivered

"I knew I should have worn a warmer jacket" she said

"Your cold here" Gerard said taking off his overcoat

"Take my coat"

"Are you sure?" Allison asked standing up

"Oh yeah" Gerard bushed off her question and helped Allison into his coat

I tried concentrating on the game but it was hard to follow when you didn't know the rules

There was a aloud "Owww" from the crowd as the giant took out another one of Beacon Hill's players and he left lying on the ground not moving, the coach called the medic and they ran out onto the field and the player ended up taken away on a stretcher

My eyes drifted around getting bored with the atmosphere until Stiles caught my eye he was walking toward Allison, as he reached the stands Allison had put her arm down and Stiles had reached up…passing something between them… what the?

Stiles kept walking past the stands into the dark my head didn't turn far enough to see where he disappeared to

The coach started yelling

"Where's Stilinski? … Where's Stilinski?"

Giving up quickly the coach started searching the crowd for another player picking a big guy from the back… Oh great another victim to add to our injury count

I was wondering where Stiles went… shouldn't he be back by now?

I excused myself for a bath room break; I wanted to know where he went

Allison gave me a funny stare as I got up from my seat trying to moving down toward the ground

"Hey Mia the games nearly over… can't you wait?

I shook my head

"No sorry…I'll be quick"

I followed the direction Stiles took; I couldn't see anyone around the car park so I follwed the path towards the school

I could hear cheering from the game hopefully something is going right for Beacon Hill's team

I walked into the entrance school car park and saw Stiles leaning into a car, I went to call out his name but as I got closer I could see him talking to Lydia.

Oh…I waited a moment to see if he was going to be coming back to the game

I felt like I was spying on a private moment to so I turned around and walked back towards the game

I couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed he wasn't talking to me; I know it was stupid but with Isaac missing, Jenna using me as a pin cushion and the strange things going on in Allison and Scott's life I didn't feel like I fitted in anywhere

As I got closer to the field I could see everyone running toward the middle I couldn't see what was going on everyone was crowding in one spot, I tried standing on the stands to get a better look but gave up and sat down when I couldn't see any better, figuring pushing through all the students would only hurt my elbow so I waited.

Slowly everyone started to go in their own directions clearing the field slowly in dribs and drabs; I spotted Allison, Gerard and Scott? Walking away together?

I caught eyes with Allison mouthing 'what's going on?'

Allison just shrugged looking apologetic

Ahh ditched again I watched as everyone left, coach packing up the last of the equipment until there was no one left but me

Knowing I should leave, it probably wasn't very safe sitting out in the open alone, plus I'm sure they would be turning the lights off soon...but I had kind of hopped Stiles might return but I guess not he was busy with Lydia.

I gloomily made my way home; I don't even know myself anymore, I thought I would be happy

Everyone was busy with their own lives; it was like I was trying too hard to fit in but I wasn't matching, I felt like I was missing something important that was stopping me from fully being a part of their group I knew I should be happy living in a great house with a loving father but I still feel lonely with no close friends I couldn't tell my dad everything… sometimes girls needed to talk to girls.

I had stupid dreams that one day I would be the one cheering Isaac along in the stands as he played Lacrosse… then when he would scored I race out onto the field and he would life me up and we would chant with the crowd

Lying in bed I tried sleeping but I couldn't, tears streamed down my face I wondered if one day everything would feel alright again or would things only get worse?

It was morning already it felt like I hadn't slept at all and my eyes hurt from crying

I arrived early to school so I could avoid seeing Allison, Stiles or Scott after last night I didn't feel like listening to what they got up to after the game I wouldn't know what to say if they asked me what I did…

First lesson Chemistry I was first to class even beating MR. Harrison, the tables had been set up with experiments I picked a table at the back of the class. Students started filing in

I pulled out my chemistry book turning to the back I torn out a page using it to draw on

I could tell the class was nearly full I could hear chairs being moved around and students opening school bags

Suddenly everything went quite, I heard a few gasps and a wolf whistle I looked up, everyone was looking at the back door I turned my head to see what the fuss was about

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him standing there my mouth dropped open

It was Isaac but he was different he stood cocky and proud, flash new jeans and a leather jacket covering a tight black v neck shirt he looked good.

I smiled he was back

It didn't take me long to realize nothing was back to normal he was standing next to Erica who also had a makeover she was wearing the same tight jeans and leather jacket also covering a black Tee they were both giving each other looks communicating with each other. I was shocked was Isaac with Erica now?

Isaac's eye swept across the room right through me ….like he didn't see me at all.

My chest hurt my eyes welled with tears… All this time I spent worrying where he was I choked them back if Isaac had forgotten about me I wouldn't cry

Isaac and Erica took a seat behind Scott Lydia and Stiles? What was going on today?

Harrison started to explain the lesson's experiment we would be switching partners throughout the lesson to complete the task… maybe I would get partnered with Isaac and I could get a chance to talk to him

I watched him from the back corner… there was something going on between him, Scott, Allison and Stiles… I really did miss something? Did they know where Isaac had been all this time?

Harrison yelled "Switch"

Isaac had been selected to me my partner, I squirmed in my seat as he walked towards me as he reached my desk he grabbed Danny who was going to sit down at the table in front and pushed him towards my desk taking Danny's seat next to John.

"Hey…Man what the fuck?" Danny said raising his hands

I couldn't believe it Isaac didn't want anything to do with me… Jenna was right

I tried helping Danny with the task but my hands wouldn't stop shaking

"Are you alright Mia?" Danny asked

Even my voice was shaky

"F…ine..thanks"

Harrison rang the bell and everyone had to switch again

I couldn't stop the tears now they fell pouring from my eyes, I ran out of the room I couldn't stay the whole lesson watching Isaac pretend I didn't exist.

I ran to the bath room hiding in a stall I locked the door pulling my knees up to my chest…I thought if Isaac was back everything would be perfect, I had put so much expectations on seeing Isaac again I made myself believe Isaac was everything I needed, now I know had dad felt when mum left.

I tried controlling my crying I used most of the toilet roll before I got myself under control, when my breathing had settled I unlocked the door and moved to the sink to wash my face

I left the water running so I could splash my face a few times my eyes looked terrible rimmed red from crying bags under my eyes from now sleep

I shook my head at myself it was dad all over again how could I let myself become like this.. I should be standing tall showing him he meant nothing to me I decided I would try my hardest not to let him get to me I would not follow my dad footsteps falling so deeply in love you can function without the other person.

I heard the bell ring I turned the water off checking myself in the mirror one last time I breathed out a heavy sigh, a student opened the door and I decided it was time to go

I opened the door and stepped out I had a quick look around the hall way and my eyes fell on Isaac leaning against a locker next to Isaac was Erica and Jenna… of course, did he know Jenna had attacked me? Did he care?

I walked away I knew exactly where I could go to hide

The most reliable things in my life where my dad which made me realize I needed to spend more time with him, my favorite lunch spot because no one ever came here and books there was only something good to read to keep my mind distracted.

I pulled out my copy of Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, the real world sucked so I would disappear into my book

I spun, ducking my head to look under the table

"Sam?"

Jack had left the door open…. The room was empty.

"Help me find him!" I shouted at Jack, pushing past him into the hall way.

There was no sign on Sam

A hand suddenly pushed the book away from my face, down onto the table.

Isaac sat staring back at me; He had a cocky smile on his lips, it slipped a little at the corners as I glared at him.

I couldn't understand why he was here I think I got his point this morning in chemistry

I closed my book and picked up my bag there was no reason for me to stay

His smile dropped

"Mia…" Isaac said my heart beat faster

I took a deep breath trying to relax tears threatened to fall.

Taking another deep breath I let go of all the hurt and anger I realized if I was angry or sad it meant I cared about Isaac and I defiantly didn't want him to know that

I put my book in my bag and zipped it up, I stood up

Isaac stared up at me with big timid eyes

I stopped before walking away reaching over the table and putting my hand on top of oh his, he moved his other hand to place over mine but I quickly pulled away

I hope he knew exactly how much he had hurt me

He opened his mouth slightly as if he was going to say something, but he didn't.

A tear escaped his eye and he looked down at the table

I wanted to comfort Isaac promise him everything would be ok… But I didn't know

I walked away my heart broke

Of course I didn't want to hurt Isaac it was devastating, I wanted to stop turn back around smile like nothing had happened pull him into my arms embrace him until everything was perfect in the world

I wasn't going to change my resolution now it was too late

I decided I would hide in the library for the rest of the day I doubt he would come looking for me here