Coward

Chapter Fifteen

When the final bell rings and signals our freedom I follow Logan out into the back car park. I throw a glance over at a familiar motor bike. Liam's leaning against it with his arms folded. He smiles at me and I wave a little. I turn back to Logan when I sense him stiffen a little and grin. "So, how are we getting to where ever we're going?"

He looks at me and smiles, "the back of Shane's truck."

I laugh, "oh, that doesn't sound creepy at all."

He shakes his head and smirks, "narr just a little dangerous is all."

I smile as we come to a stop next to a rusted Toyota truck. Sitting in the open back is Crystal. She leaps up and comes over and hugs me, lifting me up with surprising strength. "Wow, you actually came." She casts an accusing look at Shane, "Shane didn't think you'd show but I never gave up hope." She grins and claps her hands together.

I laugh, "well I said I'd come so I'm here."

She laughs and lets me go, "okay so everyone's here lets go."

Crystal pulls her hair from a ponytail so is falls in wavy, auburn water falls around her shoulders. She climbs into the back and wraps her black and pink floral scarf around her shoulders. I follow her and I sit with my back against the side of the truck. Logan gets into the cab with Shane and Steph quickly slides onto the back and sits beside me.

She smirks at me, "if you see the cops or anything get down and throw this blanket over you."

She motions to a wool blanket with various stains and holes littering the tartan pattern. I laugh and nod my head,"of course."

Shane drives the truck out of the parking lot and as we turn a corner I catch Mason looking at me. We look eyes but as the truck turns a corner our eye contact breaks. I turn my focus back into the back of the truck to see Crystal staring at me.

She smiles, "boy trouble?" When I don't answer she continues, "today is Friday."

I laugh and nod my head, "yeah, and?"

She motions between the three of us, "we should have a sleepover tonight."

I raise my eyebrows in surprise and Stephany smirks. "Crystal honey, she just met us and now you want her to come home with us?"

I laugh, "no actually that sounds really awesome."

She beams at me, "okay I'll call dad and tell him to pick us up some pizza."

The truck comes to a stop and I smile at them but before I can say thanks Steph and Crystal jump out of the truck. I quickly stand up and follow them out.

I find the group of four leaning against a rusted, gratified container. I smile and sit in a gap right in the middle between Logan and Shane. I throw my bag so it's sitting at the end of our feet.

As soon as my back hits the container I'm also hit with the familar, pungent herbal scent. I smirk and accept a joint from Shane. As I hold the smoldering white package in my fingers my mind flicks back to what I said to Mason. I hold the joint to my lips and inhale. I hold the smoke back while I pass it onto Logan then using my much practiced skill I exhale and puff out rings.

Shane looks at me in amazment and laughs, "shit Belle, that was dope."

I return the look of amazement, "shit Shane, was that a pun?" I grin and he chuckles.

I lean my head against the container and look out over the deserted railway tracks and near by factories. For a while everyone just sits there, content with their own thoughts. Then Crystal leans forwards and makes an appearance behind Logan.