Pencils and Pool Water (Complete)

Chapter Fifteen

I woke to Calvin gently whispering in my ear, "Simon, it's Tuesday- we have school." 

I immediately sat up, regretting it as I felt all of my bruises all at once. I winced, but since it was still dark in my room, I hoped Calvin hadn't noticed. 

Calvin. What had happened last night sent a rush through my core, giving me goosebumps, and making my throat tighten a little.

I realized that he was already dressed, wearing jeans, a shirt that was this shade of brown it somehow made his skin look even tanner than it already was (how? It's only March!), topped with a zip-up. I shook my head, confused about when he had even brought the clothes to my house. 

I blinked at him, getting out of bed, and hoping that he would take a hint and leave so I could get dressed.  He left, and I threw on the first thing I could find- a black t-shirt that was lying in the corner (maybe it was dirty, maybe it wasn't) and a pair of sweatpants. 

I walked out, putting my bag over my shoulder. Calvin's eyebrows shot right up, and he blushed a little.

"What?" I asked, suddenly scared I was only wearing my underwear or something.

"You're wearing my sweatpants." 

I blushed, suddenly feeling absolutely ridiculous. I didn't own sweatpants. I looked down, seeing they slung a bit low on my hips and didn't hold well, and I had to shift my weight. 

Of course Calvin and I weren't the same size. 

Same size pants, I mean. Don't be gross.

 I went back to my room and put on some jeans, a pair I ashamedly triple-checked were mine. I walked out, trying to come off as blasé, but I don't think it worked.

Or that Calvin noticed.

"Um, ready to go?" I asked, realizing I was the one with the car, responsible for getting us to school. He nodded, and as soon as he was in the car I realized he hadn't told his dad where he was going last night. 

"Calvin, how many weeks has it been since you're dad has been home for more than a night?" I asked, realizing I hadn't been paying attention over these past few weeks. 

Calvin didn't even tense as he answered, and the easy trust made me melt and my skin prickle at my temples. "A week and a few days."

I nod. This was about the "average" time period for Jonas to be gone. "What are you going to tell Paityn?" I asked quietly, pulling into Gwen's driveway, where she was waiting. 

"I don't have to tell him anything," he said, voice angry and a bit on the cold side. 

I nodded, feeling my throat tighten. Again, I thought of last night before I had fallen asleep, and I could still feel the burn of the pattens he had made on my back. 

-

"Good morning boys," Gwen said cheerily as she shut her locker. 

As soon as I saw Gwen, I remembered the four times Calvin had sworn in front of me. "Calvin owes The Jar eight dollars," I blurted, then feeling guilty for ratting him out. 

"Good job, Simon," Gwen almost purred. I smiled sheepishly at both of them as the bell rang.

-

Calvin scowled, looking out the window. "Traitor."

Three hours. 

Two hours. 

One and a half hours. 

Every time I thought of what might and could happen after school made my guts wrench up painfully, and I felt like I was going to puke. 

My mind went through every possible scenario that involved Paityn, Calvin, and Elliot.