Deprecated (On Hold Indefinitely)

Deprecated: Chapter Four

On Tuesday, Kade was not in my classes. It shouldn’t have bothered me that he was gone, but yet for some reason it was bugging me. I felt like he was avoiding me. My mind kept returning to that moment in the hallway. I couldn’t stop thinking about that intense look in his eyes when he stared at me, and then that angry expression he gave when he ripped the bandage away. I got butterflies in my stomach when I thought about his lips barely brushing against my skin, sending a hot, fiery feeling throughout my body.

I squeezed my eyes shut, in an attempt to squeeze the memory out of my mind as I headed to the Quad for lunch. I sat down in my usual spot on the bench, and pulled out a novel. There was a shuffling sound, and then a weak, breathless voice whispered, “Hi, Deryn.” My head snapped up, and I saw the last person I’d ever expect, standing in front of me.

Wayne was standing a considerable amount of distance away from me, and surprisingly, he was alone. His eyes were still rimmed with black from last week’s fight, and I could tell that his nose was broken. He seemed to shake as he extended his hand from behind his back, holding something out to me.

I stared, wide-eyed at what he was trying to offer me. It was a box, wrapped in silver paper and topped with a shiny, blue bow. I kept looking between the box, and his eyes. Surely this was a joke. Wayne would never give me a gift. This was uncharacteristic for him. I folded the top corner of the page I was reading, and set my book down on the bench beside me.

“What is that?” I raised an eyebrow as he trembled at the sound of my voice.

“Just take it.”

I frowned and reached for the little box. He thrust it into my hands and took a step back. My brows furrowed more when I saw his reaction.

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, before I could ask him why he was acting like that. “I’m sorry for everything. For your entire life, I’ve been awful to you, and I’m so, so sorry.”

Before I could give him a reply, he turned around and whisked himself away. My eyes stayed glued to the box, and I was unsure about what to do. This could all be a really bad prank, and there could be live cockroaches inside for all I know. But Wayne had been shaken up when he talked to me.

I pulled the loose end of the bow, unraveling it and letting it fall to the ground at my feet. I opened the box and gasped, shocked at what I found inside.

It was a brand new iPod, complete with headphones and a charger. I gaped at it, not sure exactly how I should react. I took it out and tapped the glass. The screen illuminated, and I frowned as I skimmed through the songs and artists. All of my favorite songs were there, along with every band I’ve ever come to love.

The bell rang, and I scrambled to gather my things. I headed to art, and as I expected, Kade was not there.

~*~

The bus ride home was a quiet one. I was toying with my new music player, still in shock of receiving it. Wayne and his friends weren't on the bus, which was something new. I stared out the window and observed the sunny day, and I smiled. I could sneak out to eat tonight.

The bus stopped, and I got off. I hurried down the driveway, to find that my father wasn't home. My smile broadened, and I rushed inside, bounding up the stairs to retrieve my money.

"Excited about something?" a voice asked bluntly. I turned around to face my mother.

"Yeah. What's it to you?"

"What's got you so happy? New boyfriend or whatever?"

"Not in the slightest. Mind your own business."