Woke

33.)

Kiara:

The days turned to weeks, and the Friday before Spring Break came before I knew it. When my alarm went off, I hastily got out of bed to get ready. I had a group presentation in English and a test in Chemistry, so I was trying to get to the school early. I wanted Spring Break to come badly; I was so sick of English class and after this day, Mrs. Greene would finally be back. Who would've thought that I'd ever miss that woman?

Taylor was a fucking menace. Since the time he kept me after class and I went off on him, he'd been so annoying. Initially, he'd left me alone, making me think he actually took what I said to heart. But sometime after Valentine's Day, he'd started being extremely different with me. He would compliment me a lot, or use my writings as model examples for assignments. Everybody started making jokes, saying he had a crush on me and that Chris needed to watch out. I was glad I no longer felt fearful towards him, but I was far from comfortable. If Eric was telling the truth in saying his cousin still feels guilty about what happened between us, I didn't like the way he was expressing it.

It was the end of March, so the weather thankfully wasn't as frigid as before. I threw on a creme colored long-sleeved fitted top with ripped jeans and black booties. I pulled my bonnet off the cornrows I'd put in last night and laid my edges then placed a few jewels throughout the braids. After doing my makeup and putting on my favorite gold hoops, I threw a scarf around my neck. Once I'd put on a jacket, I grabbed my book bag and ran down the stairs.

"Leaving so soon?" I stopped at the sound of my mom's voice. She was making herself a cup of coffee while wearing a burgundy colored blouse and black denim jeans.

"Jeans?" I rose an eyebrow. "No work today?"

"No, I still have work. I'm on my way out. I just convinced Edward to let the office have a casual day."

"Ooh, look at your boss... doing whatever you want." I teased.

She bit her lip in embarrassment. "Yeah, for once."

I hummed. "I doubt that." I then went into the kitchen with her to pour myself some of the coffee into a portable mug. I began to add creamer and sugar. "How's that going, by the way? With you and Edward? What base are y'all on?"

"As your mother, I'm refuse to answer that!" I laughed at how obviously uncomfortable she grew. "Why are you leaving so early?"

"I have a presentation in English, so I'm going to school early to meet with my group and make some finishing touches."

"Oh, is Chris taking you?"

I shook my head. "We're not in the same group, and I didn't wanna make him get up early. We're gonna drive separately today."

"Okay, tell him I said hi when you do see him." She requested. "Have a good day."

I pressed a kiss on her cheek. "Love you!"

"Love you too, baby."

I made my way outside and into my car. The drive to my school was short, but I was already over it upon pulling into my parking space. I wanted nothing more than for the day to end.

Once I pulled up to the school, I finished the last of my coffee and chose to leave the mug in my car. I gathered my belongings and ran inside the school. I texted Chris to let him know not to bring me coffee, since my mom had made some. 

Turning the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Taylor and Eric walking down the hallway. My heart skipped a beat upon seeing them together.

Eric had been acting almost as weird towards me as his older cousin. He went way out of his way to talk to me, especially when Chris wasn't around. He would try to hold casual conversations with me, though we had no classes together. Usually it was just innocent small talk, but sometimes Eric would throw in some weird or off putting statement that felt like he was trying to get some kind of reaction out of me. He would bring up some small or personal information about me or my relationship, then proceed to swear that he'd heard it from Chris. I had gathered that Eric was trying make Chris out to be untrustworthy, and I didn't like that. Most of the time, I wouldn't tell Chris everything because I knew he was beyond ready to fight the guy. I didn't want him risking his scholarship for me, so I'd just quietly endure it.