Forty-Seven Uses for a Paperclip (Completed)

Chapter Seven: School Ride

Chapter Seven

School Ride

I wake up in the morning with a nervous knot in my stomach. I sit up in bed, puzzling over what could be the cause, when it suddenly clicks into place.

Last night I had dinner with Colton’s family.

I met his sister and saw his house.

I made an impression on his mother.

And he is picking me up for school today.

Ah, yes, that’s it.

I shower quickly and then stand in front of my closet, at a loss of what to wear. For some odd reason, my eyes linger on the white sundress I wore to my cousin’s wedding last summer.

Then I realize that it might look a bit strange if, after three years of wearing jeans, I suddenly show up to school in a sundress. Jeans it is.

I pull them on and grab a slightly flowy blue shirt that doesn’t clash with my vibrant hair. I gulp down a bowl of cereal and then hurry upstairs to brush my teeth; I don’t want bad breath.

Not that Colton is going to be smelling my breath.

Although if he wants to do something involving close proximity and possibly smelling my breath as a by-product of said activity, I won’t object.

“Stop it Cassidy.” I whisper, staring at myself in the bathroom mirror. “Just relax.”

I rinse out my mouth and frown at my reflection. I have the typical redhead complexion: pale, almost vampire-like. My nose looks like a button and almost disappears, as do my pale eyelashes and eyebrows. I grab a mascara wand and decide to fix one of the latter problems. Then I figure if I’m bothering with mascara I might as well use some lipgloss as well. I dab it on my lips and then slip it into my pocket, just in case.

The clock says that Colton should be here any minute.

Not wanting to look desperate, I stay in my bedroom, pacing the length of the room. Except it’s so small I keep bumping into my nightstand and desk chair so eventually I just give up and station myself at the window, peeping out at the street below through the blinds.

And then he’s here, my car idling on the curb. He gets out and starts up the front walk.

I quickly grab my backpack and make sure to slowly make my way down the stairs.

“Good morning,” I whisper to myself, trying to keep my voice level but still attractive. “Did you have a nice night? No, I was not just ogling your long legs as you walked up the sidewalk…”

The ring of the doorbell nearly gives me a heart attack and I clutch my chest, my heart beating furiously beneath my slightly damp fingers.

I tuck my fingers into the front pocket of my jeans and am reassured when they make contact with Colton’s gift from last night. I stroke the snake’s head and smile, saying quietly to the paperclip animal, “Here we go, Alec.”

~&~&~&~&~&~&~&~&

She opens the door, looking as beautiful and put-together as always. Her blue shirt is one of those ones that’s tight at the top and loose at the bottom, with a string tied under the bust to accentuate her small waist.

I wonder, if I was to put my hands around her middle, if my fingertips would touch on the other side…? I quickly shake my head to clear my thoughts and paste a smile on my face.

“One nonfat caramel latte, as promised.” I say, holding out a coffee.

She takes it with a sweet smile and starts down the steps. I follow her to the car, opening her door for her and putting her backpack in the trunk.

“Looks like you didn’t do too much damage.” She says, peering around in the car.



I roll my eyes and pull away from the curb.

~&~&~&~&~&~&~&~&

I can feel the stares as Colton pulls my car into the school parking lot. It’s a well-known fact around campus that I don’t let anyone drive my car. Adrienna has never even been behind the wheel, despite us being best friends for years.

Colton finds a spot to park and then runs around the car to open my door for me. I smile; he’s such a gentleman when he isn’t annoying me.

“Nice one, man.” Some guy gives Colton the thumbs-up as we walk to the front doors, my bag on Colton’s shoulders and my coffee in my hand. His hand is at its usual place, on the small of my back.

Colton frowns at him and there’s a slight increase of pressure on my lower back as he directs us into the school and to my locker. I catch sight of Adrienna making her way down the hall and we lock eyes. One eyebrow rises higher than the other. She glances down at Colton’s hand on my back and smirks.

“Math, not chemistry.” Colton’s’ voice says from beside me.

I realize I have my chemistry textbook in my hands and quickly exchange it for my math book.

“Do you have my schedule memorized?” I ask him.

“Gotta keep tabs on my girl,” he says, winking. He grabs the book out of my hands and flings an arm around my shoulders, leading me to my first class of the day.

Even though he’s joking, my heart gives its typical flip-flop.

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So I'm not at school today. At the moment it's 11:44 and my nose is all stuffed up... ugh. I think I'm getting a prescription today since I almost have a sinus infection but not quite. I love prescriptions. They are wonderful.

Now that I've told you all my health woes haha, leave me a comment and a vote! it would be extremely appreciated!