Eastwood Academy

Chapter 38: Consequences

I wake up tense. I spent half of last night dreaming that I was trying to run after River in the library corridor, but I couldn't catch up to him. My legs moved like lead, and when I screamed his name, the howl of the wind drowned out my voice. I could only watch his retreating figure as he moved out of my sight.

I spent the other half of the night dreaming that I had failed my history test and had forgotten to turn in my English essay.

I try not to worry when I check my phone in the morning and discover I still have no texts from River. Trying not to get in my head about it, I make sure that Jessica is still planning on starting college essays this afternoon. Then, I grab a power bar and head to history class.

I arrive ten minutes before the bell rings, and then halt outside the door when I remember that getting to class early is a habit I also share with Gavin. I'm sure he's still boiling mad at me, but I'm hopeful that if I can get a moment alone with him, I can apologize, and maybe we can work towards at least being friendly again. I can't stand the thought of going the rest of the year with him hating me, even though I deserve it.

Telling myself not to be a coward, I head into the classroom. I don't know whether to be disappointed or relieved when I see our desk is empty. He probably decided not to come early because he knows I'll try to talk to him. And there's no sign of River either, which confuses me. He said he'd be back by today. Although he didn't say when he was returning, I assumed he'd be back in time to go to class.

Dejected, I take my seat as Mr. Rogers puts test booklets on each desk.

"Morning Brooklyn," he greets me as he plots down a thick test booklet in front of me.

"Morning, Mr. Rogers," I answer dully, and he chuckles.

"Not looking forward to the test?" He guesses.

"Umm, I'm a little nervous," I admit.

"Don't be. Your work is exemplary. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Are you starting your college applications soon?" He asks.

"Yes, actually, I'm starting my essays today," I tell him, wondering where he's going with this.

"I'm glad to hear you're getting a head start. If you need a letter of recommendation, don't hesitate to ask. I'll be happy to write one for you," he tells me, and my mouth pops open in surprise as River enters the room. For the first time ever, he looks disheveled. His uniform is unpressed and his eyes are glassy. Yeah, something's definitely up. I tear my eyes away from him and focus my attention back on Mr. Rogers.

"I would love that. Thank you so much," I say fervently.

"You're welcome," he replies kindly as River drops into the seat next to me, looking as tired and underslept as I am.

"What was that about?" he asks, and some of the tension I felt about him not texting me fades. Maybe he was having an off night, which had nothing to do with me. Hurriedly, I tell him that Mr. Rogers offered to write me a letter of recommendation. I want to ask him if he's okay, but I hold off. I promised myself I would let him tell me in his own time.

"That's great, Brooks," he says, and I melt a little at the nickname. "So does that mean you can stop stressing, and we can have a little alone time later? Tyler's going off campus with Marina tonight. We'll have the room all to ourselves." Good, then you can tell me what's up, I think. Maybe a little alone time will loosen him up.

"All to ourselves? Just you and me?" I ask, my voice dropping an octave lower as I remember how it felt to be lying beneath him, his body hard and solid against mine.

"Just you and me," he murmurs. Our eyes lock, and I'm lost. I know he's remembering exactly what I am, the last time we were alone in his room before Tyler barged in.