Breaking point

Highest value

I woke to Cole gently playing with my hair as he stared off lost in thought. Smiling, I placed my hand on his cheek, "What're you thinking about?"

He blinked, coming back to here and now, "Nothing, just thinking."

"Had to be about something." I persisted, still on alert now that I knew how much he was struggling.

Sighing, Cole looked down into my eyes, "I'm just trying to sort some things out. I'm alright beautiful." He smiled trying to reassure me but I could see the pain in his eyes. He was far from alright.

I ran my hand through his hair, deciding that if he wanted to talk about it he would, "Okay. Don't hesitate to talk to me about anything though, I'm here."

With a nod, Cole leaned down, gently kissing my cheek, "I know Molly, thank you."

"Well we should be getting to school then, it's still early enough to be on time." I mentioned casually, standing up.

He groaned looking up at me with raised eyebrows, "Do I have to?"

"Yes," I grinned at his grumpy expression, "You need to graduate."

"I don't need to graduate." He droned in a duh tone, his eyes telling me that he was joking. It was nice to see him able to be lighthearted enough to joke around.

"Yes you do," I placed my hands on my hips, "unless of course you're just dying to spend more years in high school."

"Oh tempting." He remarked in a sarcasm charged tone, "But I think I'd rather be dying than spend more time in a high school."

"So that's a yes to school today?" I teased, poking him gently in the ribs.

"Oh alright."  Cole submitted in a jesting tone. He got up, opening up the garage as he called out to Andre, "Headed to school Andre, see you later."

It'd been too long since I'd sat behind Cole on his motorcycle speeding down the roads. It was refreshing to feel the wind in my hair and have my body against his. I felt safe somehow even though he wasn't exactly a careful driver. I trusted him.

The big lettering on the top of the school broadcasted that I was back and nothing would be different with the people inside. Dodgers high school, the place I couldn't wait to graduate from. Since moving in with my mom, attendance had been quite off and on. So much for perfect attendance. Though now I knew that there were things much more important than perfect anything.

Cole slipped his hand around mine as we headed into school, making a giddy grin appear on my lips. I couldn't help remembering how different he had been before he started opening up. So joking and nonchalant. It crossed my mind just how glad I was that he had let me in. He was so real and genuine, sweet without being over the top. I loved the real Cole, the one that no one could see from the outside. Behind the facade of bad boy, he was so much more.

Before I could think on it anymore or say anything to Cole, I noticed some darkly familiar faces. Jordan and Ryan. Just my luck. I saw the look of shock cross their faces as they whispered to each other before grinning sickeningly. I felt my stomach twist.

"Well hey there," Ryan smirked evilly, "haven't seen you around lately. Where've you been running off to?"

"Doesn't concern you." I answered back, trying to walk past them.