Sadie, Someday...

Chapter 8 - Anchors Don't Hold Forever

Chapter 8

Anchors Don’t Hold Forever

“I hope you know, I swear, I've never done this before, And I care, I'm so sorry, Scarred you for life, Please come back to me, down on my knees, Repeating apologies.” ~ Repeating Apologies – Of Mice & Men

I woke up to an all too familiar pair of bright green eyes staring into mine.

They were shaded by his lush lashes when he looked down, his chest heaving in a heavy sigh. His lips were parted as he released a breath and I felt a small pang in my heart knowing I was the cause behind his distress. A large hand was placed behind my head, against the lockers, and the other was playing against my thigh.

Looking up, I saw Tally with her arms crossed against her leather jacket, a smug look on her face as she watched the events unfold. I couldn’t remember what happened or why I was sitting like this with so many people watching me in the middle of the hallway. A semi-circle was formed around my position, people whispering crude things and watching with envy in their eyes as Caden’s fingers played with the soft fabric of my leggings. Maybe they thought I had done this for attention or something.

I couldn’t think of another reason why they were looking at me like I had plans to steal their boyfriend or something.

“She looks fine to me,” Tally sneered, flicking a lock of golden blonde hair behind her head.

Caden looked behind him, probably giving her a look to signal to her to shut up for now. I couldn’t see what he was mouthing to her or the look in his eyes, but I saw the way his fingers started to slide from my leg and back to his own. A winning smirk landed on Tally’s lips as she watched him obey her orders like a dog. He was still kneeling in front of me as he turned back around with a grim face.

“You’re okay?” he asked, just as the nurse made her way down the hall and had picked her way through the growing crowd.

“How is she doing?” the older woman asked, kneeling down in the same position as Caden.

“She seems fine now. Just got a little light headed, huh Sades?” he urged, the look in his eyes begging me to let him know it was alright to leave now so he could keep Tally happy.

It took me a few moments to gather my bearings. The multitude of people staring me down, the nurses hands on me as she checked for a fever, how Caden seemed so eager to leave me the one time I needed him…all of it made me feel like the blackout was coming on again. But I squared my shoulders like I always did in situations that called for strength and cleared my dry throat.

“I’m fine,” I breathed, the lie burning on my tongue.

When the nurse urged everyone back to class, the semi-circle cleared and I felt the air open up more in my lungs. Caden gave me one last fleeting glance before entwining his hand with Tally’s and walking off in the opposite direction. I hadn’t realized I was ignoring the nurse’s words until she cleared her throat loudly.

“Do you have a history of blackouts, sweetie?” she asked, the kindness so clear in her tone.

I shook my head as I watched Tally and Caden round the corner and disappear out of my sight.

“Would you like to go home?” she continued, still kneeling in front of me.

I probably should have made an effort to get up off of this dirty floor, but my body felt so weak. If I stood up, I was afraid I’d go right back to the floor again. I missed the warmth of my bed and the tightness of the covers pulled around me. So I nodded my head at the nurse’s questions and accepted the pass to leave early.