Something I Want

Chapter 11

We all stood in the schoolyard for half an hour. The firefighters put out the fire, but they didn’t leave because they had to make sure the fire was really out for safety reasons.

-I don’t think we’ll have to go to school again for a week, -Liam.

-Again? -I turn to Liam to make sure I heard correctly.

-The school also caught fire a few years ago and they closed it for a week. Well, to sort everything out, -Briana.

We turn our attention to the principal, who, having received a megaphone from somewhere, begins to speak:

-As you all expect, it is. The school is closed for a week.

Maybe someone will want to confess who set the trash can on fire? -I look at Niall, and he just swallows. Is that really his job? -We’ll give the arsonist a reduced fine for confessing, but he has to do it within three days.  One way or another, we'll find the arsonist. See you next Monday.

All the students start clapping, jumping for joy, and there's a huge commotion outside. Liam and Briana decide not to rush through the door and wait until everyone has arrived at the school.

-What does he want from us? -Liam grumbles.

I turn my head to the side and see Elliot coming with a stupid smile. And an idiot. Liam and Bri stand next to me.

-Next time, no one will stop us, baby, -he laughs menacingly and turns and disappears.

I clench my fists in anger, but after counting to ten, I release them.

-Who was here? -Liam looks at me.

-You don't know Elliot? Come on, let's go.

I push past them and we go to school. We all cover our noses, because the smell of burning is killing.

-What was he trying to do to you? -Briana.

-And it's obvious what, -Liam says.

I hear Briana gasp behind me. We go to our lockers and pull out our things, including our jackets. I close my locker and see Niall.  His gaze falls on his hand, which has a black stain on it. As if it had been smeared with coal. Ah ...

-Hey? -Briana waves and follows my gaze

-Do I smell feelings? -I look at her seriously and sling my backpack over my shoulder.

-Between you and Liam, yes. There are real feelings there.

I giggle, and she rolls her eyes and taps me on the shoulder.

-We'll text, okay? -I mentally pat myself on the head as I follow Niall, who is leaving the school building.

-Absolutely. Bye, -we hug and part ways.

I quickly leave the school so I can catch up with Niall. I look around, but he's nowhere to be seen. I pull my phone out of my backpack and connect to the bus schedule. The fastest bus is only forty minutes. It definitely hasn't arrived at the stop. I go down the stairs and look for a bus that might be faster, but...I hear a loud screeching of car tires.  I quickly bounce off the street and fall to the grass.

Today is definitely not my day. Jace gets out of the black car.

Extends his hand. Jace helps me stand up and picks up my cell phone from the ground.

-Thanks, -I close my eyes tightly and sigh

-And I'm sorry.

-Shit. I'll take you home, okay?

There's no bus, so there's no other way. I nod. When I get into his car, I see Niall sitting in the front. He's furiously typing something on his phone.

My blood freezes in my veins when I finally realize what could have happened a minute ago. Through my stupidity, I could have ended my life and ruined Jace.

I clutch my backpack to me and close my eyes. I need to calm down. It's okay. I'm sitting in the car alive and well. Jace's in the car.

-Hello ... -Niall starts talking to someone

-look, I have a problem ...I owe you, so no, okay? ...Okay.  You will be my dad again and pay the fine.

Holy Mary. He did it and I was right. Niall set the school on fire. But why? Why on earth would he set it on fire? If he doesn’t want to go to school that much, it’s better to fake it than to set it on fire and pay a fine. I believe he’s not just getting a fine.

-Grace.

Jace’s voice woke me up and through the car window, I saw my house.

-Oh...Thank you.

I quickly get out of the car and look at Niall’s body moving away from me.

-Niall! -I call him and slowly walk towards him. Jace’s car soon pulls away from us.

-Why did you set the school on fire?

He suddenly laughs and shakes his head.

-You’re not the only one who wants to get good presents for Christmas, Grace.

-That doesn’t count as a good job. Besides, I could have handled it myself.

He bursts out laughing and I feel a little uncomfortable.  Is he making fun of me?

-Don't be so selfish, -he sneers.

-What?

-Did you seriously think I was saving you? Why should I?

Oh ...now you really put yourself in a good position. A soft blush colored my face.

-What a phantasmagorical person you are, Niall, -I grumble and turn to go home, but he grabs my wrist.

-Come to my place tonight.

What the hell is wrong with him? He just made fun of me, but now he's inviting me to his place?

-There's going to be a party. Don't take it seriously, -as if he's reading my mind, he says.

-Ah...No.

I pull my hand out of his grip and quickly rub the skis off him.

I DON'T PROMISE ONE MORE PART ABOUT TODAY. :)