Only The Goode Spy Forever

Chapter 121: The New Year

"We must obey God rather than men." -Acts 5:29

Annalise

    By the time school came around, I was aching for Peyton. I got so excited when Adalind and Amelia showed up at the wedding, but they shot me apologetic glances as they told me that Peyton wasn't coming. There was something in their eyes I didn't like, it was pity. I've seen it in their eyes when I was with Cason.

   I came back to Gallagher a bit earlier than everyone else to spend some quality time with my grandma Rachel and Joe and get my little brother, Riley, acclimated. He's 12 now, entering his first year at the Academy. Now, it's the start of my junior year and I can hardly contain my excitement for our welcome back dinner. This is the dinner I'll see Peyton at. The changes to the school are still hard to get used to, but it will all be worth it once I see him. Not getting to talk after the time we spent together, after our kiss. We need a chance to talk.

      "Someone's excited," Diana laughs from her bed. She's been watching me look through my clothes, do my hair, and do my makeup for hours.

    "I just want to look nice. We don't have that many welcome back dinners left," I lie. She shoots me a look that screams she knows I'm lying.

    To my misfortune, Peyton isn't at the welcome back dinner. I feel a panic coming on.

    "Hey, Demarcus," I say casually. Demarcus is one of Peyton's roommates this year. "Is Peyton here yet?"

   "Ya," Demarcus says simply. He's not getting the hint that I'm asking where Peyton is at.

    "Oh. I was just curious because, well, he's not here," I say with annoyance.

    "He said he wasn't hungry," he says. He meets my eyes then. He shrugs and looks back down to his food.

     Not hungry? He's a boy! A highly trained operative at that! There's no way he's not hungry.

    "Well is he okay? I mean, who wouldn't want to eat this," I laugh, trying to hide how I really feel.

    "That's just what he said. Want me to tell him you asked about you?" He asks. I shake my head no. He gives me a skeptical eye, then shakes his head too. I like the way it makes his dread locks sway. He mumbles something about girls. I then retreat back to my table.

*                                       *                                         *

   The next morning, I'm practically shaking in anxiety. I know I'll have Peyton in a couple classes at least. I throw on my black school uniform and pair it with a white headband as contrast. I throw on some mascara and lip gloss for good measure, too.

     By second period, I'm losing hope. I leave class and make my way to the sublevels. That's when I see him. He's wearing khaki pants and a short sleeve top with the new school logo on it. I get excited and move my way through the crowd to see him. Right when I get in front of him, I Open my mouth to speak. I lose my words as his shoulder bumps into me and he continues walking. Did he not see me? I shake my head. He definitely did. My stomach drops. One thing is abundantly clear: Peyton Newman does not feel the same way that I do.

   I bite my lip to keep from tearing up. I hold my books close to my chest and practically run for the sublevels. I'm a stupid girl. I made a promise I would never feel this way again. I constantly let boys into my heart and they constantly let me down. I swallow and make a promise: I will never let Peyton Newman have that much control over my emotions again.

Author's Note:
I'm back! Along with writing new chapters I am also going back through the entire series and revising it. I'm changing grammatical errors and clunky sentences. I'm trying to complete the series as good as possible. Special thanks to @ShrimpyPie ! You've been along this ride for years and I'm so grateful for you!