Omens (wattys2016)

Fifteen.

I check the clock in my room, 7:53pm. Jackson had dropped me off about a half hour and since then I had been standing in my room, staring at nothing in particular. The ride back to the shelter had been a quiet one. No music. No small talk. Just Jackson keeping his eyes on the road and me chewing on my finger nail. He had told me he'd be back at nine fifteen, ten minutes after night bed checks, and to make sure I left my window unlocked.

Grateful that I had managed to clean my room up enough to pass inspections, I rushed around the room, finishing the job. My phone buzzed to life on my bed. I didn't need to open it to know who it was. I hadn't texted Daphne back last night and I had forgotten to bring it with me today, too anxious to go to his house.

I flip it over, revealing a full voicemail, twelve texts and thirty two missed calls. Most from Daphne and a few I recognized as Aaron's number, meaning Daphne had assumed I was avoiding her and had tried to call from a different number. Ugh, I'm a bad friend. I have been so caught up in my own drama that I hadn't even remembered to call her back. I was so not used to this whole someone caring about me thing.

"Where the hell have you been?" she demands, answering the phone the second it begins to ring, "I have been calling you all night. I figured your phone died but then when I called this morning it kept ringing and ringing. I was so worried about you. Then I came by your place and that dick of a guard told me you weren't there. He told someone had picked you and I told him that was impossible because I was the only one who ever took you anywhere but he refused to let me go to your room and make sure you weren't in there hiding out."

"Sorry Daphne," I say, "I got back right at curfew last night and my phone was dead. I was so tired I forgot to plug it in and text you back. Then this morning I had my session with Hughes. Thanks by the way for telling her that stuff about me actually participating in the party. Anyways, I spent most of the day in my room cleaning it so I don't know why Joe told you I had gone out."

I hate having to lie to her but it's not like I have any other options. Jackson had told me it would be best to not bring anyone else into this and I couldn't agree more. Until we figured out what was going on with me I didn't want to risk worrying Daphne. Or having her think I was insane.

"Fine, I forgive you. But only because I am super nosey and need to know every detail about what happened last night with you-know-who."

As relieved as I am that she hasn't pressed me for more information about how I managed to spend a whole day indoors, I am not too sure what to tell her about Jackson. Hell, I don't even know what had technically happened. Yea he kissed me last night, and told me we should do it again, but it's not like he had tried to do anything. I thought maybe he would, as we sat quietly in his car in front of the shelter, but nope. He'd told me when he would be back and then peeled off, speeding away.

"It was nice," I admit, "Jackson's isn't that bad I guess. We had dinner and that was about it."

Daphne squeals and I have to hold the phone away from me. Jeez. She might be happier about this than I am.

"Wait," she pauses, "That was it. You guys had dinner and then what? You shook his hand and sent him on his way? Tell me there is more. Tell me you are just messing with me and are about to tell me something juicy happened."

"Nope. That was it."

"I swear Omera, you are going to be the death of me. You spend the whole evening with one of the hottest guys I have ever seen and have nothing juicy to tell me. Nothing??"

I wish she'd let this go, but knowing Daphne, I am going to have to hear about this for the rest of the week. At least we have school tomorrow and, seeing as her and Aaron are back together, she is bound is eventually get distracted by making sure every female around us is aware of that fact.

"Nothing happened Daph. We had dinner and then he went home. I'm not sure why that surprises you so much. Jackson's hot but I'm me. He probably just felt bad about being a jerk to me at the party. Look, I've got to go. The showers are only going to be on for another half hour and I don't feel like adding 'greasy hair' to the list of things that make me unapproachable. See you at school tomorrow."

I have got to figure out a good story to tell Daphne. She isn't going to let up on this whole thing and I am quite possibly the worst liar ever. Hopefully Jackson will have some idea as to what I can tell her to make her back off.

Shit. I look at the clock. Eight pm. Thirty minutes until I have to be in my room. One hour until the Brandon makes his nightly rounds and then Jackson will be here. The thought of him, of any guy in fact, sleeping in my room makes my stomach twist into uncomfortable knots.

I shower quickly, making it a point to shave. I am not one to really care about my outward appearance but something about Jackson makes me want to look...normal. Something about being around him makes me overly aware of how utterly unattractive I actually am. Stupid hormones. Stupid boy crazy, insecure causing hormones.