Open Case File [COMPLETED]

The Anniversary

Because this would be a hard moment in Carter's life and I like to explore those moments and cause you emotional distress with them.

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Carter gripped the edge of her PE locker, wanting to slam it closed over and over again.

"It's so cute, every time we're in science he's always trying to sneak glances of me. But when I look back he looks away."

Didn't this girl get it? Hope was stupid. Hope was vengeful. It played with emotions, bringing them to the highest point only to send them crashing down. How could she not see that having hope was the most dangerous thing a person could do?

"He still hasn't made a move though."

"Ask him out. Go for it."

"Should I?"

No! Carter slowly closed her locker because if she didn't do it that way she'd slam it.

"Don't do it," she said.

The girls behind her stopped talking.

"What did you say, Owens?"

Carter turned around to find the girls already regarding her with judgmental looks. Looks that Carter had gotten used to over the last year. But still, she couldn't let this girl make a move that would end up humiliating her.

"Don't ask him out, Amber," she said. "He's not looking at you, he's always looking at Kira. You just sit right in his sightline. I know because I sit behind him."

And she'd noticed how Amber glanced back and Levi always looked uncomfortable when she did. This girl hoped in the wrong thing.

Amber crossed her arms and jutted out her hip. "Owens, you're wrong. You know how I know? Because no one has ever wanted you."

Carter curled her fists, the words hitting a place in her heart already torn to shreds. Amber smirked and turned away.

Shaking with fury, Carter yanked her bag off the ground and stormed out of the locker room. The bell was a minute away from ringing, ending the day. She wished the day would be over completely. It was one day...but it wasn't. It was the... It was one stupid day!

Mason walked out of the boys' bathroom and right into Carter's path.

"Owens, you look poetically like a thunder cloud today. Is it a special occasion?"

"Mason, shut up!" she shouted. "For once in your life can you not be self-centered!"

Mason took a step back, shocked.

"Woah, where is this coming from?" he asked.

"What? You think it's odd that someone would want you to stop talking? Clearly, you misread every interaction you have."

Frowning, Mason studied her. "What's going on, Owens?"

"Why does anything have to be going on for me to not want to talk to you? Seriously! You constantly get on my nerves and I'm sick of it!"

"Then you are free to leave. It's not like I enjoy talking to you."

"Great!"

Carter took off, pushing hard against the school front doors as the bell rang. Behind her, the hallways flooded with students and she quickened her step. She needed to get out of there. Despite the cold, Carter didn't go to the Metro. She couldn't stand being packed with other people.

By the time she made it to Maggie's, her face was freezing and her nose was bright red. Maggie hurried out from behind the counter when she saw Carter.