Just Like Cinderella

Just Like Cinderella [18]

Once they heard the bell, her and Megan were one of the firsts out of there. From the corner of her eyes, Josi thought she saw Caleb keep his eyes on her till she was out of his sight. Like she had decided to do for now, she ignored it, focusing on Megan who was talking about what she would for her date with Chris and squealing about it. Not invested indeed, Josi thought wryly.

As they got closer to Megan's car in the parking lot, Megan received a text and suddenly stopped when she read it. "Shit," she moaned. "Maggie's threatening to jump off a cliff somewhere if I don't come get her. Her boyfriend just broke up with her and she's locked in the girls' bathroom crying." Megan looked up at Josi hopefully. "She needs someone to comfort her."

Josi understood. "Go meet her."

Megan hesitated. "I can't leave you alone. How will you get to work?"

"I'll walk. No problem at all."

"How about you wait for me?" Megan suggested. "I don't like the idea of you walking all the way."

Josi shot her a look. "If she's contemplating suicide, she might need more than a shoulder to cry on for a few minutes. She might need you take her home and stay with her a while. Don't worry, Meg, I'll be fine. I walk more than I ride with you."

"Because you're too stubborn for your own good." She said this with a smile. "You sure you'll be okay?"

Josi rolled her eyes. "I'm seventeen, Meg. I think I can handle walking to my place of work."

"Alright, smartass. Text me when you get there."

"Sure thing, mama bear."

Megan chuckled. "See ya."

Josi waited until she was headed back inside the school before she turned to leave. She had barely taken a step forward when she heard a familiar voice from behind. Gravelly, rich, drawing her to an immediate halt.

"Walking again? I thought we agreed no more of that when you're hurt."

Josi slowly turned around, knowing who to expect. Still, it didn't stop her heart from nearly stopping at the sight of him, leaning against a black Jeep that wasn't his, the wind messing up his hair and his gray eyes vibrant in the late afternoon sun. It was a feat getting words out. "I'm not hurt anymore." It was the truth. She had gotten some painkillers that worked like magic from Taylor yesterday and now she only felt tiny aches she paid no mind to. In time the bruises would leave too, no longer decorating her body unattractively.

Caleb peered at her face, and when he saw she wasn't lying reduced the intensity of his gaze. "That's good to hear. Doesn't mean you're allowed to walk. Come on, I'll give you a ride."

Her first thought was to refuse. She would have if he hadn't silenced her with a small glare.

"I hope I won't need to call Megan here to change your mind. Something tells me she'll side with me. And you'll only be stealing poor Maggie's much needed shoulder to cry on."

Josi folded her arms, sending him a glare of her own. "It's rude to eavesdrop."

He smirked, looking unrepentant. "Good to know, I never would've guessed."

She rolled her eyes but a smile was playing on her lips. "Don't you have practice today?" She remembered what Megan had said and wanted to ask if it was true, if he had really gotten into trouble for helping her out. She felt guilty without even being sure, and she didn't want to put him through that again.