Empty Promises

f o u r

That morning I woke up feeling better than I have before.

My mom was happier than she's ever been, and that's all I've ever wanted.

I wouldn't expect it to last however something always ends up happening. I know I shouldn't say that but it's true.

Last time my father came home from his third tour, he was taken as soon as he came. 14 years, he was MIA for 14 years.

Deucalion was laying at my feet, I pet him for a bit before heading towards the shower. 

I washed my hair with my favorite strawberry scented shampoo and conditioner. I also took an extra ten minutes just standing there. 

Maybe today will be different or so I'm hoping.

I left my hair natural and quickly brushed through it before slipping on my pair of soccer sweats, soccer jersey along with my white vans. 

Since I don't really wear makeup, I just put on some mascara. Wait where are my contacts? Fuck, I quickly grabbed my glasses and slipped them on.

I heard hushed voices downstairs so I just assumed it was my parents talking amongst one another. 

I grabbed my bag before jogging down the stairs with Deuce on my tail. "It's so nice to see you Carter." I froze before even reaching the bottom. 

What? Why is he here? He shouldn't be here. "Make sure to thank your mom for me for the cake." 

I heard his laugh and instead of it making my heart skip a beat like before, it made me boil with anger.

Alexander's laugh was and is ten times better.

Wait what? Avoid love at all cost, that's my motto. 

Shaking my head, I decided to make my presence be known, "I'm heading out mom." 

I ignored the look Carter gave me as I grabbed my car keys off the rack.

"Do you need a ride Carter?" I stopped and looked at my mom like she was crazy. She gave me a look that said be nice.

As if I was going to be nice.

"No, I have my car out front." I ignored the rest of their conversation and squatted down in front of Deucalion. 

"I'll be back later boy." He licked my face in response making me scrunch my nose as I laughed.

I kissed his head quickly before going outside and getting into my car, pulling my car out of the driveway it took everything in me not to hit Carter's car.

My car was a white Audi which trust me, was expensive and by no means am I one of those spoiled kids.

I work just as hard as my parents to get what I have, sure I'm not working at the moment but that's because school will always come first.

Looking at my phone, I honked the horn as I reached Sylvia's, signaling that we need to go now. 

"I'm here! Sorry I'm late!" She got in and threw her things in the back. "Ready?" She nodded and I drove off. 

"You won't guess who came over today." I told her as I flipped through the stations. "Carter?" 

I gaped at her, "How'd you know?" She just smirked at me, messing with her hair. 

"It's me, I know everything." I shook my head allowing her to pick a station. 

What Do You Mean by Justin Bieber was playing and we gave each other a knowing look. 

"What do you mean?" Sylvia yelled out. "When you nod your head yes, but you want to say no." She belted, making her voice crack in a disturbing way. 

She actually had a good voice but this was something we always did together. 

"What do you mean?" she asked looking at me in the eyes and I couldn't hold it in anymore, I started laughing.

She kept doing some weird dance and giving me these looks. "God stop!" I pleaded close to tears as my sides began to hurt. 

Pulling into the school parking lot, I took several breaths to calm down. Getting out, Sylvia was quick to link our arms together. 

"I'm so not ready for today." I mumbled and froze when I felt someone cover my glasses.

I was blinded, but my body felt as if it was on fire. It was like someone had lit a fire inside of me and I had a feeling that it wouldn't no it couldn't be put out.

"Guess who?" The feeling of his breathe hitting the back of my ear sent a shiver down my spine.

I had to pull myself together.

"Now now. Mr. Deucalion I believe the rules are keep hand feet and objects to yourself." I teased, causing him to chuckle as he removed his hands. 

He draped his arm on my shoulder and I gave Sylvia a look. "I would remove your arm if I was you." Syl warned him. 

"Or what?" I handed Syl my bag, already ready to do what I was about to do. "Hold this?" She nodded taking it from me as she smirked at Alex. 

I innocently took his hand, before gripping his wrist and flipped him over my shoulder. 

He groaned in pain as he landed onto his back. "I warned you." Sylvia sang as she dragged me away with her upstairs.

Once we walked into class, and took our seat we began to talk. "Gramps?" I nodded and pulled out my notebooks.

"I heard Ms. Jackson is a hard ass." I commented, and Syl shook her head. "No, she's nice. Just don't get on her bad side."

We talked amongst one another until the bell finally rung and in walked the teacher. Alexander was right behind her, and took a seat behind Syl.

I looked over my shoulder and raised my eyebrow at him with a smirk causing him to shake his head smiling. 

Class is going to be fun.

» × «

"See you at lunch." Syl promised before walking away towards her class. 

I had Music whereas she had AP Calculus instead. Walking into class, I saw that Sophia had this class too. 

Thank god, I'm not alone.

"Hey." I smiled at her before taking a seat next to her. "Hey."

"Do you know what we're doing today?" I asked while pulling out my music journal. 

She shrugged and pulled out her journal as well. "I think some type of group project."

"If we get to choose, be my partner?" I nodded, giving her a small smile as I wrote the date at the top of the page.. 

"Of course." She sighed in relief, doing the same. "Thank god. I don't really know anyone here."

Same here girl.

"Good morning everyone! So let's get to business." Well she was straight to the point. "So today we'll be working in groups of two." 

"You will have three weeks to prepare something to show to the class. The winner will be opening at the school assembly next month and they'll be playing at one of the school dances."

In front of the whole school? At one of the dances? Oh god no. 

Sophia must have noticed I was panicking because she took my hand in hers suddenly and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"You may work with whoever, sing whatever, but keep it appropriate." She told us in a warning tone.

"Great get to work." She sat behind her desk and everyone moved around.

"So any song ideas?" Sophia asked me and I smiled.

You have no idea.