Leap Before You Think

Chapter 5

I'm starting to think it was a mistake to hang out with Judah late last night because when I wake up the next morning I'm exhausted. I forget how I got back to my room and I guess I also forgot to remove the bracelet because it's imprinted multiple marks on my arm. When I roll out of bed I see Harper staring at me, she has an odd glint in her eyes and a weird look on her face.

"What?" I ask groggily.

"My cousin knocked on our door last night at one eight-teen a.m. and do you know what he was holding?"

I look down my cheeks burning. "No. I don't think so."

"He was a girl who was fast asleep. Do you know who she was?"

"Um . . . " here it comes. I'm gonna be in some much trouble with her. Ugh. "Me?" I make it sound like I'm just guessing.

She nods her head, "What were you doing Lorie?!"

"He showed me something."

She blinks in disbelief, "Wh—What?!" she rubs her eyes with her palms, "Lorelai Annora Ventus, do you have any idea how many rules you broke?"

"I know, I know." I look down at the ground. "It was worth it though."

She doesn't get mad at me much so when she does it stings. If I'm being honest with myself I probably deserve it though. I should tell her to be stricter with me. She looks at me and tilts her head to the side. She opens her mouth as if she has more that she wants to say but no words come out as she stares at me.

"You know what forget it for now. Let's go I hear that breakfast is basically dessert today."

That sounds worse than a normal breakfast.

"Okay."

"Get dressed." She turns away from me the disappointment in her eyes clear. "I'll wait for you outside. Hurry up."

"Yes, Mom," I mumble under my breath and then she's gone.

Crawling out of bed I go to my dresser and pull out a random shirt and jean shorts. I hate when people are mad at me. I deserve it most of the time but I still hate it. I let out a huff and close my eyes. I try picturing things, and happy moments in my life.

I can see the show of stars as if I'm watching it again. I try to grab the awe I felt when I saw the first shooting star. The joy as Judah gave me the bracelet. I try to picture the shock on Harper's face when Judah knocked on our door with me in his arms. The image I conjure up in my head makes me laugh as I grab my backpack. I take a deep breath and let it out as I open the door.

My smile fades quicker than you can say 'Melancholy moon madness ' and I know people who can say that pretty fast.

To my great surprise not only is a still disappointed Harper waiting for me but an annoyed Judah and an angry Jackson are too. Oh great, that means I wasn't the only one caught on the parent's radar. Harsh, I know. But they do act like our parents. Maybe I should start working on not giving them reasons to act like adults though, it'd probably be helpful to them. Let them still be kids while they can, I don't know. I roll my eyes, clear my throat, nod a hello to the boys, then turn and walk down the hall. I'm not in the mood to speak with any of them mainly Judah, who got me in trouble in the first place.

I sit at the farthest end of the table in the cafeteria, my eyes glued to the book in front of me, I don't want to be near or hear any of my friends right now. I slowly lift my fork to my mouth and take a bit of the food that's on my plate. I don't really know what it is but Harper was right and it does taste like a dessert. I try to take another bite but there is no more food on my plate. Sigh. Why is it gone already? I didn't think I was eating it that quickly. I put my book back in my bag and get out of my seat: my tray in one hand and my bag in the other. I hand in my tray and then leave.