Lovestruck (EDITING)

56: Close Call

Inches from the doorway to homeroom, I stop myself to glance down at my phone screen. Before I can even catch a glimpse of my list, someone crashes into the back of me and I have to stop myself from falling onto my face. That wouldn't be a good start to my day. I spin around to see Maya's purple cheerleading outfit. She quickly drops to her knees and begins to pick up her books in front of me.

"I'm so sorry Skye!" She apologises as I reach down to help her up.

"Don't apologise, it's not a big deal." I laugh, reaching down to pick up a piece of paper she missed and handing it to her.

Maya smiles at me apologetically once more and I glance down at my phone screen for the second time as we walk into the drama room together.

*1. Be sociable in homeroom.*

I guess today might be starting out alright after all.

"So where were you all week, Skye? I haven't seen you in homeroom." Maya sits down gracefully, leaning against the back wall, and I slouch down beside her.

"Yeah, I've been pretty sick I guess." My sentence trails off as I catch someone entering the classroom in the corner of my eye.

I know it's him without having to turn my head. The wave of familiar cologne that washes over me and the distinct change in the atmosphere is enough to identify Jayden. I glance at him as he trudges accross the room, head down and eyes on the floor. He looks just as exhausted as I feel.

"So... Since you're all better now, are you coming on friday?" Maya's question doesn't quite break through my daydream and I reply without thinking.

"Yeah, sure." My response is a disinterested mumble but it somehow sparks an overload of excitement within Maya.

"Really? That's so great!" She squeals rather than speaking and my attention snaps back to her instantly.

"It is?" I frown in confusion.

"Of course it is! I think the senior bonfire might actually be fun this year. People really seem to be excited." Her tone is ecstatic.

The senior bonfire? As soon as I realise what I've agreed to, I start to feel guilty that I'm going to have to somehow get out of it. Maya continues to grin at me and I know that I won't be able to tell her anytime soon. Might as well humour her.

"Yeah, sounds like a blast, Maya." I smile convincingly before staring down at my phone in an attempt to end the conversation.

"Marcus is taking me." She holds back a grin. "Maybe we can double date?"

I struggle to hold down my breakfast at the idea of a double date with Maya and Marcus.

"Oh, no that's fine. I wouldn't be taking a date, anyway." I manage to answer without gagging.

"Well, if you change your mind..." Maya smiles as we're dismissed from homeroom and I begin to follow her out the door. "You could always ask Landon Reed."

I stop walking immediately and someone crashes into the back of me, forcing me to drop my spanish textbook onto the floor as Maya disappears down the hallway. I sigh and reach down to pick up my book, but before I can reach it another pair of hands grab hold of it.

"Sorry," I mumble before looking up to see who the hands belong to.

"Don't mention it." Jayden stands in front of me, holding my spanish textbook.

For a moment, I am frozen. I stare at him as if I've just seen a ghost. He looks so strange. Like a different person. This is certainly not the Jayden I know. It's not the Jayden I love. He looks empty. Hollow. And I don't know how to react. I planned to avoid this. I didn't plan to face this. So I grab my book out of his hands and hug it tightly to my chest as I rush down the hallway without looking back, towards my first class. Towards safety.

That was a close call.

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Hey guys! I planned to make this chapter longer but I just haven't updated in so long I wanted to get something up as soon as possible! I hope you all enjoy this short chapter and stay tuned for more to come! I'm really busy at the moment so updates might be slow but bare with me because this story is far from over :)

Votes and comments are always appreciated!

SO much love for you guys and just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the extra reads, votes and comments lately even though I've been pretty inactive I have definitely been reading your messages and comments and I really appreciate them so keep them coming :) :) :)

fancyauthor xoxo