The next morning, Sam calls me as i am applying my make-up in front of the mirror in my bathroom.
"Good morning," i chirp, hoping that he is in a better mood than last night.
"What are you doing?" he asks.
"Im putting on my make-up. Why?" i ask, whats wrong? i wonder. Did something happen last night?
"Can you catch a different ride to school today?"
"Yeah, sure. You are coming to school today right?"
"Yeah."
"Then whats the problem? Why cant you pick me up?"
"If you really do want me to take you to school, then i guess i can swing by an-"
"No," i interupt, "thats fine. I just want to know whats going on."
"I really dont feel like talking about it right now."
"Okay, i totally umderstand. I guess ill see you at school then?"
Then he hangs up. What is wrong with him? What made him go all grumpy pants on me? Does his attitude have something to do with his dad?
I finish up with my make-up, then go downstairs for a quick breakfast before i leave.
* * *
"Have either of you seen Sam yet this morning?" i ask Elle and Rodney as Jackie and i join their group.
"Nope, i havent seen him, sorry," Rodney says as Elle shakes her head no. "But i sure wish i had. I still cant believe that he asked you out. Why couldnt it have been me?"
"Well, Rodney. First off, Sams not gay, and second, Lexi is so much prettier than you, trust me," Elle says, without looking up from her phone.
"There just arent any cute, gay guys at this school."
"What about Devin Saunders?" Jackie suggests, "Hes cute, isnt he?"
"Devin is not gay, for the two hundredth time!" Rodney shouts, earning glances from the people nearest to us.
"Well then i guess your shit out of luck."
Elle looks up from her phone, then looks back down at the screen and says, "Here he comes."
I turn around to see who shes talking about, and sure enough, i see Sam heading in our direction. Hes walking with his head down and his hands in his pockets.
As he gets closer, i catch a glimpse of a bruise circling his left eye.
He hardly acknowledges my prescence, only giving me a slight nod as he walks right on past.
Is this why Sam couldnt give me a ride to school today, he didnt want me to see his black eye? Is this what happens when his dad has too much to drink?
Sams mom must be pissed. He didnt even bother joining his group of friends at the end of the hallway. They all just stared after him, with confused expressions, as Sam disapears around the corner.
In geometry, Sam kept to himself. Hes staring off into space, not even bothering to listen to Miss Gonzales as she teaches todays lesson.
About halfway through the period, Miss Gonzales gets a phone call, and once she hangs up, she looks up at Sami.
"Sam," Miss Gonzales says, trying to grab his attention. Hes way more interested with whatever hes staring at outside the window. "Sami, honey?"
Sam snaps out of his daze, looking up at Miss Gonzales.
"They want you down in attendance."
Sam stands up, slings his bag over one shoulder, and strides out of the room with a frown. I follow him with my eyes as walks out of the classroom, wondering why he is wanted in attendance.
When hes gone, Miss Gonzales continues teaching.
I wish Sam would have told me what was going on, but hes too damn stubborn.
At lunch, i send Sam a quick text asking where he was at, and if he was alright.
He responds almost immediantly.
Sami: i am at home an im fine
Me: what happened when you went down to attendance?
Sami: thy snt me home wit my dad
Me: what? why?
Sami: bcuz he was thr 2 pic me up
Me: well why was he there to pick you up?
Sami: him an mum wnted 2 tlk 2 me
Me: talk to you about what?
Its almost ten minutes later when he responds, and lunch is over halfway over now.
Sami: my mum tld my dad 2 moov out
Me: Fuck. Im really sorry Sami
Sami: its only temprary untl they can wrk it out
Me: do you need anything?
Sami: can u com ovr?
Me: what like right now?
Sami: ya (pouty face emoji)
Me: alright be there in 10
Sami: thnx Lexi! (happy face emoji)
YOU ARE READING
Trouble in Paradise
Teen FictionLexi Merrhit is the new girl at East Bay High. And she gets nervous easily when it comes to making new friends. That is until she meets Jackie Reynolds, who then introduces her to the most popular kid at school, and who is also the star pitcher on...
