The Life Of Aaron Prescott

[15] Project

The Life Of Aaron Prescott
Journal Entry Fifth-teen; November 5th

She never showed up to school.

My flowers were left in my ditch.

Today was not a good day.

A A R O N

The bell for lunch rang and I couldn't be more excited to get out of math. 

Jordan had a basketball game yesterday we all ended up going to, but they won so of course Thompson had to hold an after party at his place. I was tired, and I wanted to go back to Ryan's. First, me and Lindsey needed to present our project.

Lindsey would be doing her subject chosen for presenting and I would be doing mine, it's what we had agreed on since we started.

Ryan is surprisingly early, sitting at our table with my fries and burger. Once I slide into my seat across from Ryan, Mason and Jordan's voices sound from the hall.

They seem to be arguing, debating or just talking. Absolutely no one can ever tell what Mason and Jordan exactly sound like when they're talking to you. They are both great at keeping neutral faces.

Rose and Lindsey are quick to join us. Rose sits as far away from Mason as she can as Lindsey takes the seat next to me.

Lindsey doesn't look like herself when I turn to look at her. She looks exhausted, like she had when we talked in the library. There are underlines of shaded purple underneath her eyes that have been semi-covered in make-up.

Her thumbs are twisting together and her eyebrows narrowed at the cafeteria table. I reach out a hand, she pulls away quickly.

"Querida," I say softly. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Lindsey rolls out her shoulders and places her arms across her chest before she straightens out her shirt.

"Fine."

She sounds irritated, and I'm not sure if it's at me. "You don't look fine."

Lindsey takes a sharp breath. "I said I'm fine." Her words are a whisper, but they come out short and sharp. Lindsey's face softens before she runs a hand over her face. "I'm sorry, I'm tired. I never slept, I think my meds are getting out of order again. I didn't mean to be harsh."

Nodding, I pick up a fry before shoving it into my mouth. Swallow. "It's okay, it's not your fault." Turning back to my fries, I gesture towards them before looking back at Lindsey.

She shakes her head. "I don't think I can eat right now."

Nodding again, I keep my gaze on her. "Do you need to go home?"

Lindsey sighs, shaking her leg from underneath the table. "I can't, no drive."

Lindsey couldn't walk home either, her house was at least a good two hour walk from here and she looks too tired too.

"I can do your part." Lindsey's head snaps towards me. "For the project," I continued. "I don't mind."

Her face turns small, sad. "Are you sure?"

I smile at her, biting down on my burger. "Absolutely positive."

Lindsey only nods. Too tired to give me a smile back.

***

The project went over more smoothly than I thought it would. Ms. Hilton was fine with just me presenting mine and Lindsey's project.

Lindsey was quick to run out of the classroom when the bell rang, gathering up her belongings and rushing out of the room. She had been jittery the whole class, and I could swear her palms were sweating underneath the pencil she had been flipping between her fingers.

I gather my stuff up, hastily following after her. I knew she probably just needed space, I just wanted to make sure she was okay enough before getting into Ryan's car.

Lindsey was by her locker, taking her bag out and slamming it shut. The two people next to her just shrugged and moved onto somewhere else. It was just me and her.

Once I was close enough to her, I softly grabbed her by the shoulder. "Hey, what happened back there?" Lindsey's lips quivered. "Lindsey, you can always talk to me."

Lindsey's body deflates. "My mom has been talking to my dad over the phone. Just as friends or whatever but apparently that bastard misses me." She throws an arm up into the air. "'Colleen, tell Lindsey I miss her' I mean what a douche. Leaves me and my mom when I'm only six and he fucking misses me."

She lets out a shaky breath. "It's just been fucking with me, I guess. I don't know if it's my depression or just him." Her right hand scrunches up into a fist. "I'm just irritated, tired and I can't sleep." Lindsey looks up at me, smiles sadly. "Everything in my life is just kind of a big mess."

"Jesus," I sigh. "I'm sorry, Lindsey. That sucks ass."

She laughs. "I know. Mom says it's fine if I hate him or never want to see him again."

"It is," I reassure her. "I mean, he left you guys all alone. You wouldn't be a bad guy for not liking him-"

"But he's still my father, Aaron, whether I like it or not," Lindsey cuts me off, taking a step back. "Thank you for today, with the project."

I nod. "No problem." I fiddle with my flannel sleeve, twisting my mothers ring that lies on my right ring finger. "Do you want to be alone, or take your mind off of it?" I ask.

Lindsey begins to think, I know when I see her eyes crease. "Taking my mind off of things wouldn't be that bad of an idea."

I smile, taking my phone out of my jean pocket. "I'll text Ryan that I'm not getting a drive today than."

Lindsey takes out her phone as well. "And I'll get us a drive."