Face Down - Vance Hopper

Chapter 5

Vance stormed into the classroom, a scowl etched deep into his features. The teacher, Mr. Fields, recognized him instantly, her lecture of arrival time sinking back into her throat as she saw the familiar face of Vance Hopper, his notorious reputation had wisely made her choose to ignore his late entrance. Today was not a day to pick a fight with Vance Hopper.

Adira's heart sank when she heard the commotion. She had secretly hoped that Vance might have decided to just skip Bio after their encounter in the halls, but apparently luck was not on her side. She glanced up briefly as he entered the room, his presence had made the class fall silent. Some of the students avoided looking at him completely while some would send small, nervous glances his way, occasionally whispering to their friends.

Vance, however, paid no attention to the whispers and sideways glances from their classmates. He slid into the chair behind Adira, stretched out his legs, and leaned back, adopting a posture of nonchalance that bordered on defiance. His books remained unopened, and his stationery untouched.

As Mr. Fields launched into the lecture, the tension in the classroom became almost suffocating. Whispers and sidelong glances were exchanged among the students, the focus shifted from the lesson to the brewing turmoil between Adira and Vance. It was clear that they had all either seen the fight the night before, or they had heard about it from someone. The town was so small, as soon as something happened, it wouldn't take long before everyone knew about it. 

Adira, trying her best to focus on her notes, couldn't help but feel the weight of their classmates' stares. Vance had started doodling in one of his books, the sound of his harsh scribbling echoing through the class room. He would occasionally look up at one of the kids whispering about him, sending them a look that made them sink in their seats

It didn't take long for Vance to break the silence. His voice was a low, gruff growl, making Adira's heart race. "I'm sorry for yelling at you in the halls. it was fucked and I'm sorry" he grumbled, irritation dripping from every word. Not irritation with her, but for himself... when he thought back to the look on her face when he slammed his hand onto the locker.

It was the same look that she got when she was around Theodore. 

Adira hesitated for a moment, her pen hovering above her notebook. She took a deep breath before deciding to continue writing as if she hadn't heard him. "It's fine. It isn't a big deal I already forgot about it," she replied in a voice barely above a whisper.

Vance scoffed, leaning closer so his words would carry to her ear. "Don't lie to me, Adira. Stop pretending shit like that is okay. I don't get it. Why do you let people treat you like that and then say it's fine? You were trying to help me, and I..." His voice trailed off, a mixture of frustration and regret bubbling within.

She let out a soft sigh, still refusing to meet his gaze as she scribbled down notes. "You didn't have to lose your temper like that, Vance. I was only trying to help," she admitted, her voice quivering slightly. "But I also shouldn't have pushed you. You said you didn't want help and I ignored that. It was my fault."

He leaned even closer, his voice barely more than a whisper. "It wasn't you fucking fault Adira," Vance replied, his tone filled with frustration and regret. "I messed up, okay? I've got my own issues, and I shouldn't have taken them out on you."

Adira finally turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting Vance's for the first time since their confrontation at the lockers. "Just..." she whispered, struggling to figure out what to say, "you shouldn't get into so many fights all the time... I hate seeing you get hurt all the time."

He leaned back into his seat, rolling his eyes as he hid the smirk that was itching to take over his lips. "you know that isn't gonna happen," Vance whispered, a small chuckle falling from his lips, and for a moment, the air felt lighter, as if the unspoken tension had been momentarily dispelled.