I wake up surrounded by a masculine scent. I get up and ready and stumble out of my room, sleep evident in me. After getting breakfast I make my way to head out the door before I trip on suitcases. I push myself up, dusting myself off, and just stare at them. They stand there reminding me of my parents' departure and Ian's torture. With my family leaving soon, I just wonder how my mother plans to make it up to me. I go out the door and start walking, since I see no car in the driveway. Surprisingly, Caleb wasn't even the thing that woke me up. I did it myself. Anyway, I'm considering doing the prank once everybody leaves the party on Saturday. It'll mean less witnesses since they'll probably be too drunk to remember. While I was wrapped up in my thoughts I didn't realize that I had made it to my locker.
"Hey! What's up? And how come everybody's always gathering up at my locker?" I ask with an eyebrow raised.
"Because you're the common territory," Uri answers simply. As if that doesn't raise suspiscions..
"Since when do you actually arrive on time? You're usually here so early...well, you used to," Christina says picking a lock of my hair.
I'd never really thought about that. Now that I have...I realize she's correct. I'll just blame that on Caleb. I shrug my shoulders at her.
"So about that 'chain of pranks' thing—" I start before I get cut off.
"Did somebody finally come to their senses and realize it'll hurt those dear to them?" Uri mocks in a baby voice.
I stare at him, long and hard. "As I was saying before I was so rudely cut off, I've come up with a date for our little 'project'."
I see all their eyes sparkle at this.
Will clears his throat, "yes?"
"Saturday night...or Sunday morning, depending on what time the party will finish."
I'm currently in my seat for first period. I can't help but trace the scar on my hip over and over again. I've been doing pretty well covering up my bruises and they've been doing a pretty good job of healing. Anyway, Mr. Asshole is late. Does he not know the rule if a teacher is 15 minutes late to class, the students may leave? I swear, if this guy doesn't show up in the next 5 minutes, I'm officially leaving. How is it that everybody—including his daughter—is here and he's still 10 (now 11) minutes late? We're all quiet, waiting for the teacher to show up. Four still isn't letting Nita sit on his lap. Everybody is looking around at each other wondering if they should leave or stay. Finally, I decide this is too much. I pack my bag, sling it over my shoulder, and start walking towards the door. As I have my hand on the knob, I hear him.
"Yo Stiff! May I ask what the hell you think you're doing?" I can just hear the hint of amusement in his voice.
I take my hand off the knob and turn around, making sure all my movements are slow to show my irritation, which obviously seems to amuse him more.
"Haven't you heard the rule if a teacher is absent for 15 minutes, the students are allowed to leave?" I remark.
I stride across the room to Mr. Asshat's desk. I start fumbling around in it, trying to find his lesson plans. I'd hate to miss an important exam or to have him walk in just as I'm about to walk out. I hear footsteps coming closer towards me but I know they don't belong to Mr. Asshole because these ones are quiet, defined. I also didn't hear the door open. I've deciphered it's a male—a powerful one—and that he's right next to me. He starts fumbling with the drawers along with me.
"I believe this is what you're looking for," Four says, handing me the lesson plans. I so want to smack that smirk off his face...
I look through it and find nothing special for today...and the teacher still isn't here and it's been 20 minutes. I drop the lesson plans on the desk and start to exit the classroom again, only this time mutliple footsteps are heard behind me. I look towards the sound and see the whole class is following me. Ya, no pressure.
"What-what are you all doing?" I stammer.
"We're ditching...just like you. What else would we be doing?" A student answers.
"C'mon guys. Isn't it obvious what's going on here?" Everybody stops and looks at Four. "'Goody two shoes' doesn't know what she's doing. She's never ditched before. And I bet she's only ditching this period instead of the whole school day. She probably doesn't even count this as ditching," he smirks.
Everybody turns their gaze onto me, awaiting my next action. I did want to keep my good streak, and I do wish everybody had either minded their own business or followed Four instead of me but I can't take back my choices. Now, though, I must give up my image and prove myself. My stubborn self will not let him win and I know he's just challenging me. I go up to him and lean in close to his face.
"If you were smart, you'd know to keep your mouth shut. Because you're not, I'm suggesting you do," I hiss.
He leans in closer, "so you up for some ditching?"
I can't help the shudder that goes down my spine from his breath on my skin. He sees this and smirks.
"Everything alright...especially down there?" he makes sure I feel the coool, fresh breeze that is his breath. I shudder again but don't let him control me.
I shove him against the wall with all the strength I have and he must let me because he actually ends up pressed against the wall.
"Back to your first statement, bring it on," I spit in his face.
"And the second?" he smirks.
I roll my eyes and release him. He side-steps me and heads to the front of the crowd. Everybody stops to stare at him.
He rubs his hands together and starts, "Pipsqueak over there has brought us to this point—surprisingly—and now I'm here to lead."
We all start being lead to the outside of the building and right before I leave campus, I look back to see if tarnishing my image is worth it...then I look at him staring at me intently (probably wondering what I'll do) and I leave campus.
The way we're using to get to our destination gets more familiar the closer we get. At first, maybe I didn't recognize it because I've never taken that route, but now I can tell we're headed straight for Millennium Park. We all keep walking in a crowd with him as our leader. Luckily, it seems as though nobody's noticed that we are students ditching...or more logical: they don't care enough to do anything about it. Which I don't mind, but I do wonder how many students they've seen ditching...or how many times they've done it before—the students at my school and the people who aren't saying anything about it. Once we enter Millennium Park, everyone stops, causing me to hit my head on the person in front of me. I back up a little because I respect personal space.
"Now, do whatever you want, I really don't give a fuck, and I hope you can handle yourselves on your own," he says waving his hands in the air dismissing us.
I start to look around wondering what the hell I'm supposed to do when I hear a chuckle. I look towards the voice and find none other than Four.
"Pipsqueak, you're coming with me," he moves his finger, motioning me to come closer toward him.
Once I come close enough he starts leading me out of Millennium Park and I follow him because I have no idea what else to do.
Finally he stops, and because I was looking at my feet the entire time, I bump into his shoulder.
He chuckles, "I wonder when you'll stop being clumsy."
I huff and look around. We're in Navy Pier. Why?
"Why are we—" I start to ask but then realize he's already walking away.
I start running towards him but his long legs make sure he's always a step ahead of me.
"Can you stop...for like one second..?" I yell.
He turns around and looks at me, "sorry."
I'm utterly shocked that he actually said sorry so I'm left there stunned and still. After a few seconds he must've grown impatient because he clears his throat, snapping me out of my reverie. I walk towards him getting more undazed by each step closer to him. Finally I make it to his side and we start walking—him slower than usual...probably for me.
"So...fucktard, why did you take me here?" I ask him.
He snorts, "wow. I try to be nice and you still just won't stop."
I look at him and start feeling awful. He's currently shaking his head and staring at his shoes. Man, do I want to comfort him!
"Why are you trying to be nice?" I yell at him. His head snaps up and out of his daze at my voice.
"Excuse me?" he demands.
"What happened that's causing you to change your way from the past 8 years of our lives? And why now, huh? Also, tell me how I'm just supposed to forget about it all with no questions asked. Do you seriously expect me to accept you with no knowledge of this 'new you'? I'm not stupid," I shout.
"How can I make it up to you?" he whispers.
"You can't. You won't," I whisper back.
"Tris, can I come in?" my mother knocks softly on the door.
"Yeah sure," I mumble mostly focused on the patterns on my ceiling.
The bed dips a little, implying she sat down there.
"Is everything alright?" she asks squeezing my knee in a comforting manner.
"Not really," I reply.
She sighs but doesn't say anything else. I wonder if it's because she knows I won't open up to her and this is the best she's receiving or she's not sure what to do...it's probably the first one.
"Wanna go shopping sometime soon?" she suggests.
I chuckle, "no thank you. I absolutely hate shopping."
"But you're always going shopping with Christina..."
"Christina is always forcing me to go shopping," I reply.
"Well, what are you into?" she asks. I love how she just got right to the point.
"I'm not really sure but when I do figure it out I'll let you know," I tell her.
She huffs and starts to leave my room, but right before she does she tells me, "don't tell your father and brother about your dilemma." And then she winks.
Does she know it's boy trouble? Woah, never thought I'd say that before...
"Wait, mom?" I call out.
She peaks her head into my room—she's currently halfway in my room and halfway out of my room—and hums in response. I pat the spot she was sitting in earlier and she comes and sits down again. Then my questions start rolling in...
I slam my hand on his desk, demanding he look at me...which he does.
"What the hell, Bea?" he demands.
"Tell me about Matthew," I reply back smoothly.
He stares at me for a second and then breaks into a fit of laughter.
"You...like...Matthew," he says in between laughter.
I shriek, "eww. Why would I like Matthew? Dammit I was talking about the project."
He immediately stops laughing. "Oh."
I smirk, "Ya 'oh'. Now tell me his information."
"Since when are you so formal?" he asks.
"Stop trying to change the subject," I slam my hand on the desk again.
"Why do you need to know?" he keeps trying to change the subject.
I roll my eyes, "because I'm not going to fail just because of some lazy dude."
Now it's his turn to roll his eyes, "he's not lazy and you're not going to fail."
"How do you know?" I ask skeptically.
"I just do. Now get out," he points to his door.
I start to walk out, not because I've given up but because I assume Tori would understand this dilemma and how nobody tells me anything and everybody is lazy. I've never been the type to blame it on other people and beg the teacher for a second chance/team but I guess I can make an exception. Besides, I've given up my goody two shoes image...and only certain people know but I wouldn't be surprised if it spread.
"Wait, Bea. I've never seen you wear that shirt before," he starts narrowing his eyes, trying to inspect my outfit.
I'm already standing in the doorway of his room so I make a dash for it—my room. Last I saw of him, his eyes lit up because he figured it out and then they darkened because...well, he figured it out. He's now chasing me and I run faster than I ever have before. Thank goodness he isn't the athlete type because add that with his long legs and I'm a goner. Believe me when I say this chase is a matter of life and death. Luckily, I make it to my room and shut the door right before he's about to enter. I lean against the door with all my strength while he tries to push the door open. I'm surprised we haven't broken this door yet with all the shit that goes down between us. I quickly lock the door and step back, happy he's finally decided to give up. I can't believe I was so stupid that I actually wore this in front of Caleb. What's next? Will I do it with my dad, too? But hey, you can't blame me. It's very comfortable and soothing...safe.
Now it's time I pass out on my bed...