Unwanteds High (AU)

Chapter 40

((Alex's POV))

Wednesdays always sucked.

It was the middle of the week. Far from the beginning but also far from Friday. Halfway through until the glorious thing that is Friday after school.

Waking up at Sam's house made it all better though. I've never had a sleepover on a school night, but Sam really needed me last night for the emotional support. I still couldn't believe all of this was happening with him and Lani. I knew we had more ahead of us this week since we still had three school days to go.

Samheed sighed as he leaned against the bathroom wall. He was already dressed and ready to go.

"Come on Stowe, you take forever to get ready in the morning and you didn't even shower like I did. I have to be there at 7 so I can take my science test at 7:10. It's 6:45, hurry upppp!"

"Okay sorry I'm almost done," I said, finishing with my hair. It was back in a ponytail since I couldn't be bothered to deal with the mess that is my hair. It seemed to be extra fluffy this morning. Sometimes I liked its fluff, but other days like today I wanted it to disappear. Just curly hair struggles. "Plus, brushing your teeth with your finger is harder than it looks."

"You might need a mint then pretty boy," he chuckled, which the nickname was new. "I have gum. You don't want to smooth with Sky with bad breath."

"I hate you," I sighed but couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Ditto," he said. "Now come on, let's go. If we walk, we'll make it on time."

On the way out of the bathroom door, I couldn't help but grab the edge of his beanie and shove it down, so it covered his face.

"Hey!" he huffed as he pulled it back up, so his face wasn't covered in the fabric.

"Too slow Burkesh, too slow," I laughed as I went to race out in the hallway.

But I wasn't prepared to almost trip. Sam's backpack had been resting by the bathroom door, which my foot just decided would be great to hit. Before I could completely fall, I managed to keep myself up with putting my hands on the wall. Samheed laughed so hard as I finally caught my breath from the sudden adrenaline rush.

"You'll forever be clumsy huh Stowe. Sometimes I wonder how you manage to be good at soccer. Are you alright though?"

Him asking if I was alright sent a roll through my stomach. The way he was looking at me, holding his hand out for support even though I wasn't on the ground. Why was I finding it harder to catch my breath now?

"I'm alright," I laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, clumsy me."

Samheed rolled his eyes playfully as he slung his backpack on his shoulder. He handed me my bag in return.

"Alright come on! We have to go before I'm late."

He raced ahead of me down the stairs as I forced myself to follow. As I followed, I couldn't help the thoughts racing through my mind. I only became clumsy around Sky since I had been nervous to impress her. Recently, my clumsiness started to decline around her.

But why was it suddenly increasing around Sam now?

* * *

At lunch it was Meg, Sam, Sky, my brother, and I at the table. None of us spoke as we all knew the energy wasn't the same.

"Does anyone even know where Lani is?" Sky frowned.

"Nope," Sam grumbled. "She doesn't talk to me anymore."