Infinite

The Weight of a Secret- Part 2

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We take a seat outside Principal Jeffreys' office. It always feels weird sitting outside of her office when you have a meeting, like you're a kid in trouble. Lucas got sent to the principal's office a few times in high school for fighting. He has always had problems with responding to conflict in a physical way.

The first time he was sent to the office was during freshman year. A classmate in his English class kept tapping his foot on the back of his chair. Whenever Lucas would ask him to stop, he would just do it harder. Lucas had enough one day and just flipped the kid's desk over with him still sitting in it.

"Do you think he will be here soon? I have an appointment with a bubble bath," Artemis groans. Sam is probably still trying to escape all of the personal questions he's getting. I lean my head back in the chair and continue reminiscing to pass the time.

The second time Lucas was a few months after we started dating. The winter dance was coming up and he hadn't asked me to go with him yet, but one of his teammates did. I confronted Lucas during lunch about why he hadn't asked me yet. He told me that he didn't see why we had to go because he hates dances, and said I should just go with friends. I told him that if he didn't want to take me to the dance, then there was someone else who would, and stormed away from him. I didn't see him for the rest of the day, and I was so mad at him that I just went straight home after school.

I was doing my homework at the dinner table with my sister, Sophie, when Lucas rang the doorbell. He was standing on the front steps in his letterman jacket with a bouquet of pink roses and a swollen lip. He told me that he went to practice and threatened everyone until the teammate who asked me fessed up. They got into an argument about it and started fighting. Lucas got benched for the next game and got in-school suspension for the entire week. He apologized for being an ass and asked me to the dance, and ever since then pink roses have been my favorite flower.

"Sorry for the wait," a low, southern voice pulls me out of my memories. I see Sam standing in the hall right outside the office.

"It's about time!" Artemis exclaims as she gets up from the chair. Sam chuckles as he opens the office door.

"Please, come on in." He stares at me intensely as he gestures for us to go inside.

I swallow, trying to keep my composure. I haven't spoken to him since I ended things between us. Artemis and I take a seat in the bright red chairs sitting across from a large wooden desk. The backs on the chairs are higher than the top of my head.

"Well, I'm sure this might feel a little...awkward," Sam begins.

Artemis lets out a loud laugh.

"A little?" she says as she glances over at me.

Sam chuckles before continuing.

"I think it might be a good idea if you and I talk privately for a moment, Rachel." His eyes are locked on mine and he smiles sweetly at me.

I adjust in my seat uncomfortably and look over at Artemis. She shrugs at me.

"It's fine, I can handle it," I look back at Sam. He raises an eyebrow at me. "We can go ahead and talk about the fundraiser," Sam smiles widely at me as he shakes his head.

"You're still as stubborn as a horse, I see," his tone is light, as if he means this as a compliment. "Please, Rachel. Can I talk to you alone for a few minutes?" he keeps his eyes focused on me.

"I will go and grab a snack from the vending machine," Artemis says as she stands up. I look at her, trying to beg her to stay with my eyes. "I'll be back in a jiff!" she says as she closes the door behind her. I slowly turn back towards Sam, who is still looking right at me.