As It Was (COMPLETED) (wattys2023)

In My Blood

The moment I felt movement against my hand, I turned, expecting to find Garrett beside me. To my surprise it was a dark-haired girl with glasses, eyes a mossy green and lips an off shade of purple that she managed to pull off a hell of a lot better than Dr. Bellecourt. Before the girl even had a chance to introduce herself, I was already sure that this was the infamous Angie that Garrett had been bringing up the last few months.

"I'm Angie. Gare sent me." she explained, reading my face like an open book, "The boys are being held back in the locker room for some reason. Someone did something, but Garett didn't say what."

I nodded, not wanting to be rude, and replied, "It's okay if you want to go back inside with your friends."

She waved her hand dismissively. "No need. I'm stuck with those idiots all day every day. I don't mind being out here with you. It's peaceful compared to the lunchroom."

I was never good with girl friends; hence how my two best friends had been Miles and Brady for most of high school. I'd been friendly enough with Naomi, but growing up with my brothers and father, I had found it easier to befriend guys over girls from a young age.

"Garett talks about you a lot." she decided to break the silence before it could become uncomfortable. "Javi and I feel like we already know you. It's been a long time since Gare let someone in."

I finally gave the girl beside me my full attention, "He seems like the type to attract people."

Angela laughed at that, amused by the comment.

"Oh, he is. A guy as good looking as he is and a great football player? The girls love him. But he's not interested. He doesn't seem to really like all the attention. His life is about his mom, AJ, and football. Javi and I are in the mix somewhere too. Gare and I have been friends since the beginning of freshman year. I'm going to venture out at this point and say he's got a thing for helping traumatized chicks."

Confused, I asked, "What do you mean?"

"I'm joking." she made sure to clarify, then answered directly, "I had a rough childhood. Nowhere near as bad as what happened to you, but rough. He was the only person at this pretentious ass school that would even look in my direction."

That sounded familiar, and it gave me the insight I'd been lacking in regard to Garrett and who he really was deep down.

"He's a really good guy." I said.

She grinned boastfully, "He is. Javi is too. Just gotta give them a chance, let them in, you know? I know firsthand it's easier said then done, but I don't regret it. Those boys are my lifeline." she pauses momentarily then touches her hand to my forearm with a sad smile and continues. "I know we aren't who you thought you'd be spending your senior year with, but just know that we are here for you, Everly. Not all of us are Holly Park."

"I appreciate it." I said in a quiet breath.

She nods just as the bell rings and waves. "It was nice to finally meet you, Everly."

Then she disappears into the school, leaving me to stare after her as my hands find Miles' locket around my neck.

*

"What's wrong?" Garrett's quiet rasp broke through the melancholy music blasting through the speaks as the credits rolled down the screen. "You've been looking at your phone all night.

"My birthday is in a couple days." I whispered, avoiding looking at him, "My boyfriend he. . . he used to send me these dumb, corny songs the two days leading up to it."