babydoll - luke hemmings

babydoll :: 08

very long chapter wooo
read the author's note at the end please! thank you!

ISABELLE

I probably should not have skipped my classes.

Granted, my attendance was almost always perfect, and I had rarely missed any days in school because I hated being behind schedule for any of my work, the biggest exception being math. I was always behind for math.

Yet today I had went against my better judgement, with my two best friends and I successfully convincing our parents to let us call in sick. Our collective absence for sure had to have looked suspicious, for what exactly were the chances that all three of us mysteriously falling sick or unwell after turning up the day before completely fine. Nonetheless we threw all cares in the wind, letting ourselves indulge in rebellion. It's healthy, once in awhile.

I was starting to feel really burnt out from school, the stress of assignments and readings catching up to me, always lingering at the back of my head. I just badly wanted to selfishly break away from it, and keep it locked away for today. I had an exciting boxing match to go to, and I had every intention of spending it well with my best friends.

I took the liberty of texting my teachers, letting them know in advance of my unfortunate absence because I had mysteriously woken up with terrible migraines. I felt as if it was the least I could do. They'd all replied with wishes for me to get well soon, completely ignored me or updated me with what was going to be covered for the lesson. I even had the pleasure of a reply from Mr Hemmings.

Mr Hemmings : I see. Feel better soon, Isabelle. Will catch you up when you return.

I had been choosing my outfit for tonight when I received his text, a shiver running through my body once I had read it. I had never texted his number personally prior to this, never having a reason to, anyway.

A feeling of guilt settled in my chest, knowing very well that I hated lying to him. He deserved the truth and nothing else. I didn't like the feeling of deceiving him. And it definitely didn't help that I was missing school for a boxing match — one that I was still underage for, not to mention.

I hated that I couldn't read his tone through text, unable see to his expressions or gestures that he'd make.

I found his actions quite endearing, really. The way he'd bite the edge of his thumb when he was deep in thought, eyebrows furrowing slightly. How he'd absentmindedly play with the rings on his fingers, or how he'd press his lips into a thin line every time a student was being a pain in his ass. I had grown to love all his mannerisms, and I almost curse myself for missing out on school because I wouldn't get to see him today. Butt wasn't like he hadn't been paying visits almost every other night in my dreams anyways. I could survive one day.

I stared into my closet for a good hour, my mind piecing together outfits but none being quite satisfactory or decent to me. I was extremely unsure about what to wear to these things — was there a dress code I needed to follow? I doubted so, but then again I definitely couldn't show up dressing like a teenager, I was supposed to be above 21. More specifically 22 according to our fake identifications. I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to magically make myself look 4 years older than I actually was.

"What do you wear to these things Sophie," I grunted, holding my phone in between my shoulder and my ears as my hands sifted through my closet, hangers sliding across the metal clothing rack.