lovely |k.k|

XXX

Tuesday, there was no getting out of it. And even then, I didn't think I minded. I'd gotten sick of staying home with my thoughts and some Netflix. I'd gotten sick of hiding. Of sleeping, twisting, turning. I got sick of all of it.

I woke up before the sun had begun to rise. I showered, dressed, came down and had breakfast, and rushed out to my car. I knew exactly when Eva began to get everyone out the door for school, so planning ahead, I was long gone before then.

It was either that, or wait for them to leave.

When Lara asked me why I was in such a rush to leave early, I told her it had been to visit my teachers before class started and explain my absence. She'd believed it, lovingly chastising me for being such a good student.

The drive was quiet, uneventful.

I hated how life could just do that to you. Put you through the worst things it had to offer you, and then just keep on going. The clock never stopped. It just kept ticking.

It was that clock I followed as I got to school. I visited my locker, and piled in as many books into my bag as I could carry. I'd fit three, which would do me well until one class after lunch, and was zipping my bag closed when hands came up behind me and grabbed my shoulders.

I dropped my bag and screamed, the sound echoing in the hallways as I jerked my head around. Whoever had touched me had jumped back, and I turned to see him.

Sam. His eyes wide and his hands up in the air in surrender. My heart throbbed in my chest, and I breathed out harshly as my mouth opened,

"Why the fuck would you do that?" I shouted, surprised at my own voice. It was loud, angry.

"I-I'm sorry." He spoke softly, gentle. I hated gentle. I couldn't trust it anymore, "I didn't know you'd react that way. I was trying to surprise you." With an eye roll, I dropped down to grab my bag. Sam, ever the optimist, got down sooner. Quicker.

"You shouldn't do that to a girl." I warned. He grabbed the strap, lifting it towards me, and I took it. I glanced around, noticing how no teachers appeared. No one at school quite yet, "Not in an empty hallway."

Sam chuckled sheepishly, his eyes flickering over my expression, still attempting to apologize,

"I'm sorry. Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't have." I nodded, turning to walk away and fulfill my excuse. To my first teacher, English. Had to let her know I was sick, right? I was surprised when Sam fell into step with me, continuing,

"So the drop and scream method... is that something they teach you in New York?" I tried to remain angry, but I couldn't. My lips twitched up slightly as I glanced at him, sighing,

"Sort of.... not really. It's new-" He nodded, eyeing me carefully before asking,

"So that date didn't go well, I'm guessing." I stopped midway, forgetting about the direction I was walking in. My brows furrowed as I looked at him. Was it that obvious?

"What do you mean?" I asked, not helping it. How could he possibly know?

"I just. I don't know—I've never see you so jumpy. And you look sort of tired. I'm sorry-" I took in his words, taking a breath of relief and shaking my head. It wasn't obvious, then. The lie I had told Lara for the past two days still came out easily,

"No, it's okay. I caught something that night. Stomach bug. I've been sort of sick since then." He hummed softly in understanding, beginning to walk. I found myself following, "I'm feeling better now."

"Makes sense. I'm glad that you are. Hey, at least you didn't get a black eye." I forced out a chuckle, though looked at him carefully, the question popping up in my mind as we turned down another hall,