Always And Forever Mine

Chapter 4

The rest of that day my entire mind was swarmed with questions about Slater Hale. It drove me insane to know that I haven't even known Slater an entire day, and yet, he still managed to captivate and creep into every single one of my thoughts. I had Slater on the brain, and when you have Slater on the brain you cannot focus on a single thing. Home work was completely out of the question, it reminded me of school, and school reminded me of Slater. All I did for the rest of that day was think of all the questions I wanted to ask Slater Hale. I had an entire list that night by the time I went to bed, and I promised myself that I would ask Slater something, anything, the second I saw him.

The following morning was the same as usual. Dad dropped Jared and I off at school. After walking into school and giving Jared his daily dose of Advil and gum we went our separate ways. I entered the café and spotted Klara and Luke. Luke like always was eating both the food off of his tray and the food off of Klara's tray. I flung my bag onto the table disturbing Klara's studying. Luke continued to eat his food as Klara turned to speak to me.

"So umm, I rather you hear this from me than anyone else at this school." Klara said tapping her pencil on the table. Luke instantly looked up at me.

"What?" I said not really focusing on what Klara wanted to tell me. I had other things on my mind.

"Well, as you know your brother was out last night and there are some rumors flying around about him and... umm...." Klara said and then turned her head towards Luke asking for some assistance. Luke's eyes went wide and he nodded his head back and forth. Klara squinted her eyes at Luke and then focused her attention towards me.

"Well, apparently him and uh, Larissa hooked up." Klara said to me almost scared to mutter the last bit of that sentence. I heard what she had said but I honestly didn't care anymore. All I could think about really was Slater.

"Umm... that's his problem now. I'm done trying to keep her and my brother as far away from each other as possible." I said laying my head on the table. I had to admit even though I had Slater on the brain, the news about Larrisa and my brother did sort of bother me, but my main focus today was Slater.

The bell rang meaning it was time for first period. Klara, Luke and I sat at our usual seats. My attention and focus was at the door. I was hoping that any second now Slater would walk in. After a while of staring at the door the late bell rang. My hopes for seeing Slater today was dwindling. I still kept my eyes glued at the door in hopes that he was maybe just going to be late. By the time Mrs. Valentine had walked into class I knew that Slater was most likely not going to be in school today.

This thought honestly pissed me off. I stood up all night with a million and one questions swimming around my head, persuading myself that the very next time I saw Slater Hale I would ask him something. I needed to know more about him than what I already knew. Slater Hale was driving me crazy. He was one of those people who you felt that you knew your entire life, when in reality you didn't even know his favorite color.

The entire day at school was a drag. Thankfully Larissa was not in school because I did not want to deal with her today. I knew Luke and Klara noticed my slump, and thankfully they didn't ask me why. How could one guy that I barely knew have such a dramatic effect on my day? I was honestly and incredibly disappointed that I would not be able to see Slater today.

English class came around which only made me even more upset. This was the class I was sure I would speak to Slater, I mean after all he was my partner for our independent reading project. English class involved Mr. Kearney( who was always the sub for Mr.phelps. ) discussing the proper way to cite books for our research paper that was due at the end of the year. He then got into a huge discussion to how Shakespeare work and be related to the modern world. The bell rang and before I knew it class was over.

"Class before you leave here are the assignments to choose from for your independent reading project, and please remember you need to choose a book by next week." Mr. Kearney said handing out our assignments as we walked out the door.

"Ana, wait. Your partner for the independent reading project is Mr. Slater Hale correct?" Mr. Kearney said stopping me at the door. His name made my heart begin to beat faster and faster.

"Well as you can see he was not in class today. Would you mind stopping by his home to deliver him today's notes and this handout for the independent reading project, and discuss what book you guys will be reading, his address is on top of the handout." Mr. Kearney said handing me notes for Slater and the independent reading handout. My heart sunk to the ground. I simply nodded because I had no idea what to say. I was going to go to Slater Hale's house. My entire body froze.