Dark Times

class

Garrett sat in his seat in the back of the class, his earbuds I'm his ears music blasting.

His hands were balled in his hoodie pocket. His jaw clenched. He watched as Lani walked to her desk. He could tell she was crying. He wanted to talk to her but she wouldn't say anything but I'm fine. She didn't want him to see the bruise on her arm but he did.

His teacher stared at them, they did come in five minutes before the dismissal bell. The bell rang Garrett shuffled out with the rest of the students. He follows closely behind Lani.

"Hey, cut the bullshit and tell me what's fucking wrong?" Garrett said a bit harshly.

She started walking towards the parking lot faster. He easily kept up.

"Why won't you just drop it?" She asked "I'm fine okay?" She said quietly.

"No you're not." He said stopping her. "You're hurting, I went through this with my sister. Now what's wrong."

"Its my dad. He's sick, very sick." She cried.

"How'd you get the bruise?"

"Just a guy I'm my building that didn't understand no." She sighed her voice wavering

"I'm walking you to you're door from now on." Garrett said looking her in the eye. "I don't care if they Jack my bike, its not more important than you."

------

They sat on the roof of Garrett's apartment. He sighed lying on his back.

"They say that you should be able to see mars today." Lani said quietly.

"I know." Garrett smiled. "Do you see it?" He asked

"No!" She frowned sounding more like a child than an 18 year old.

"Right there, it looks like a bright red star near the moon." Garrett pointed it out to her.

"You're really smart." She giggled turning to him, her lips slightly grazing over his lips.

She blushed profusely, quickly looking down at her lap. Garret smiled turning her face to him and kissing her deeply.