Broken Wings

Chapter 2: The School Day

While everyone usually goes to lunch to eat the disgusting poison lunch ladies glomp unto their styrofoam trays, I sneak out into the yard and read a book under my favorite tree, or do my homework. 

I was just opening a new book when I felt someone next to me and a wift of the woods. Oh god. 

"Hey, you rushed out of there before I could say bye", said a husky voice. I whip my head up and connect eyes with Jace. 

The boy doesn't understand the concept of personal space, for my face was mere inches from his lips. They look so soft.

"Oh, umm" I stammer. What did he say to me?

"Pretty eager to get to your book, huh" he murmurs, keeping his smoldering gaze on my face as he plucks my book from my hand. 

"The City of Bones?" he finally tears eye contact to read the title. "What's it about?"

"You probably wouldn't like it", I squeak, quickly seizing it back.

He chuckles low, and leans back against the tree. By now, the sides of our bodies are touching completely. 

My phone bleeps. I fish it out of my pocket and glance at the screen.

"Don't forget you're going to the college party tonight. Show as much as possible" from Mom. 

I sigh and shove my phone back into my pocket. Because spring break is coming up, my mother wants me to make progress before she sends me off on some crazy spring break cruise or something. And by "progress", I mean doing anything that makes me uncomfortable. She tells me that if I don't become more "agreeable" (which means slutty) now, then it won't be perfect it by the time I'm 18. She thinks that the only thing I could become is like a stripper or model or something, because the only thing going for me is my body. 

This party is going to have the most drugs, alcohol, and horny boys than any I've ever been to and I suddenly dread the fact of going alone. 

Jace looks over at me, and must have noticed my expression. 

"You ok?", he asks me, brow furrowed with concerned. 

I look up at him, and realize he would be the perfect person to bring to this. Not only would he the perfect body guard, being tall and muscular (drool), but the perfect date. 

"I'm going to a party later today. Want to come with?" 

His eyes widened a little in surprise, but he replies, "Uh, yeah sure. When should I pick you up?" 

I really don't want to risk him seeing my mom, but I know the shoes she'll make me wear would be too high to ride my motorcycle.

"I guess 10:30 or something". 

"Planning to stay up late?" He smirks.

"Hell yes", I plan on spending as little time as possible at home.

"Cool, me too. You're not going to lunch?"

My stomach gurgles in hunger at the thought, but I know I can't have any.

"Naw, I had a big breakfast. But you should go, don't let me stop you".

"I'm not hungry either", he tells me, flashing pearly whites. 

We spend the rest of the lunch period just talking, and it feels like no time passed when the bell rang. 

I groan inwardly, but I can't have a late taint my perfect attendance. 

"I got to get to class, see you later?" I ask, reluctantly getting up. 

"I'll walk you to class", he offers, picking my bag and slinging it across his shoulder. 

I sigh down at my blank paper. I couldn't concentrate for the rest of the day, and I haven't written down one word of any of my lessons. I didn't see Jace around the school between any of my classes, and his absence was bothering me more than I would like to admit.

I get up and walk out the door, not looking back. My teachers know I wouldn't do anything to ruin my future, so they basically let me do anything I want. 

The halls are empty, and I let out a breath of relief. I need a breath of fresh air. Pushing the double doors open, I suck in the fresh air. 

I caught movement from the corner of my eye, and turned my head. There he was. Jace, standing in front of some car. I started toward it, and then I saw Jace give a small baggie to the figure behind the car window. 

What's going on? And then the car window gave Jace money, and I stopped in my tracks. This was a drug deal.

"What the hell?!" I yell, stomping toward them, not thinking. The car screeches off, and Jace turns around, rage clouding his beautiful hazel eyes. 

'You're a drug dealer?!" I don't come any closer, and I feel a small squeeze in my gut. My father, before he abandoned us and ruined my life, made and sold drugs, so the house was always smelling of chemicals. 

"Wait, you don't understand", Jace took a step forward, hands extended slightly toward me, and I took a step back. I will not associate myself with anyone like my father ever. 

"I understand perfectly. You can forget about tonight", I turn and walk as quickly as my aching body would allow me back into the school. 

But when I got to class, I still couldn't concentrate. 

The final bell rang, and I was getting my books to go to Mr. Bernstein's class, when someone loomed over me, putting their hand on the wall behind me, and leaning way into my personal space. It was Lucas, some senior that has the reputation of going through girls like a steamroller. 

I smushed myself as much as I could against my locker, trying to lengthen the sliver of space between us.

"I'll see you tonight" he was so close to me I could smell his breath. I pushed him away from me without a word and continued on my way. I was so used to this kind of thing it no longer had any affect on me.

"You'll feel differently about me tonight, sweetheart!" The f-boy cried at my retreating form.

"Yeah right", I muttered under my breath, walking into the classroom.