Just One Sip

Chapter 5

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and looked up. This was at least a quarter of a mile from where I had met those two men dressed in black. I took a quick look behind me just to be sure. There was nothing out of the ordinary. My breath was still heavy because of the sprint out of my house. The last thing I wanted to do was make contact with Aunt Cassie after our "talk" last night. I sighed at the memory of what had happened just yesterday. I needed a break outside to clear up my mind. I convinced myself that everything was normal and forced a smile. It was the exact same smile that I had given Sylvia the other day. I blew out a breath in frustration.

Fortunately, I was early this time and the bus would arrive in just a few minute. After a few seconds, I realized my hands were shaking and clenched my fists. Perhaps I was nervous and anxious about what had happened yesterday. I assured myself that it wouldn't happen again. It wouldn't. Right?

I shook my head. I had to stop thinking about that. My mind was fumbling with thoughts and questions. No, I had to occupy my mind with something else. Right, the three detentions I had to go to. That helped me forget everything at least for a while.

As I saw the bus approach, I wondered how I was going to survive school today. I boarded the laughter filled bus. I felt so out of place. What happened yesterday will probably haunt me forever, but I had to do the best I could to forget it for now. I gave my best friend Emily a weak smile as I flopped down beside her. She smiled back and pulled out her earbuds.

"Hey Em! How you feelin'?" Em seemed to have lost a couple of pounds, and her once shining black hair looked like she just got out of bed. She caught the flu and was absent from school the past week leaving me a loner at school. And yet she was able to put on a half a bottle of foundation, along with matte brown eyeshadow, liquid eyeliner, mascara, and to top it off a peach colored lipstick. I shook my head at how she had the time to do all that in the morning. I would take 30 extra minutes of sleep over make up anyday.

"Next time I'm listening to my mom when she says to put on another jacket. The flu put me through hell the past couple of days. So what did I miss? Anything juicy?" Em wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Nothing much... Sylvia's still being a bitch." Understatement of the year.

Em snorted, "No shit. Hmmm... Anything on Kaden?"

I almost laughed in her face, "You kidding? He barely knows I exist."

"Riiigggghhhtttt." She looked at me like I was an idiot before putting her earbuds back in.

Em always thought that Kaden would eventually ask me out, but I knew that the only time Kaden would ask me out was in my dreams.

- - -

As I stepped into class, all I heard was chattering.

"I'm so excited about the dance tomorrow!" someone shouted.

I froze. Right. Tomorrow was the dance. I had completely forgotten about it. I hadn't even bought a dress yet. I shook my head. I didn't care anymore. I dug my face into my bag, attempting to drown out the noise.

"Hey, you comin' tomorrow?"

I drowsily lifted my head off my bag, swiping my long hair out of my eyes. My eyes widened as I realised that it was Kaden.

"Oh, hi." I muttered. I cleared my throat and looked straight up at him. "Yeah, probably."

He grinned and uttered a quick word. "Cool."

I wanted to slam my head against my bag. What was I saying? I didn't even know what I was going to wear!

Kaden nodded and started backing away, but suddenly stopped and turned back towards me. I swore I could feel my heart double its pace.

Looking nervous he ran his hands through his beautiful sandy hair.

"Look I know we haven't exactly been able to talk that much and I'd like to get to know you more. Ummm... You wanna maybe... I dunno... Go to the dance with me?" He flashed me one of his adorable lopsided grins and I could feel my heart in my throat.

Clearing my throat I tried to think of a response that wouldn't make me look like a complete idiot. "Uhhh... yeah sure! I'd love to!" My voice came out much higher than I intended it to so I just shut my mouth and smiled at him.

"Awesome. Well I'll catch you later!" And with that he walked away.

What just happened? Did Kaden Brant actually just ask me out? I tried pinching myself to see if this was a dream. Surprisingly it wasn't, and I couldn't wait to rub this in Sylvia's face.