in the autumn breeze.

7- Don't Tell Her

Tuesday morning I wake up, looking forward to school more than yesterday. I pull out my outfit for the day, a simple floral dress with long sleeves. I jump into the shower before doing the rest of my morning routine.
By the time I'm done my makeup, I realize that I hadn't put in my contacts. "Damn it." I mumble under my breath. Then I pull out my curling iron before curling my hair loosely. With a sigh, I open up my glasses case and put the thin rims on my face. I shrug at my appearance in the mirror before I walk downstairs and slide on my nude colored flats.
I quickly throw my backpack over my shoulder and grab an apple as I hear Quinten's car pull up outside of my house. I grab my wallet and keys off the coffee table before going outside, locking the door behind me, and climbing into Quinten's car.
"Hey!" I chirp. He smiles. "Hey." He replies back and I return the smile. "Alright, let's go!" I say a bit loudly. Quinten nods. "Yup." I frown a bit, my eyebrows knit together in confusion and worry. "Quinten, are you okay? You seem a little... off this morning." I question. He hesitates before answering. "Yeah, I'm okay. Everything's fine." He says slowly. I nod, hoping that he'll tell me when he's ready.
The rest of the car ride is silent, that is, until we reach the school parking lot. Quinten parks and as I open the door he says something. "You look very nice today, Braelynn." He says. I turn around with a grin. "Thanks!" I take the compliment kindly. "Glasses look great on you, you should wear them more often." He calls over his shoulder with a sly wink after he gets out of his car. I nod at his retreating figure. "Thanks." I mumble, more to myself. I finally get out of the car myself.
Once inside, I see Molly, Rowan, and Gage all talking. I greet them with a smile. "Hey guys!" I take a look at Rowan and gasp. "W-What happened?" I ask him. Molly groans. "That what we're trying to find out. Stubborn boy though." She breathes out. "Rowan..." I trail off. He shoots me one of his signature grins. "I'm just fine, guys!" He reassures us. Despite being very weary (and not believing him) I nod at Rowan. "Okay then, I guess I'm going to my first mod. Be careful. Bye guys!" I say with a simple wave as I walk to my mod one class.
*****R*****
I let out the breath I was holding. "Thank you, guys." I say in relief. Molly slaps me. "I just had to lie to my best friend because of you! You oughta get your act together, pretty boy." She hisses before crossing her pale arms over her chest. "Molly!" Gage exclaims. I shake my head. "Nah, I deserved that one. It's fine." I tell him. Gage knows exactly what's going on, just like Quinten does. I didn't tell Molly the full truth, just because I didn't need her and her best friend turning on me.
"Anyways, you guys are going to Michaels party Friday night, yeah?" I asked. Gage nods as does his girlfriend. "Yup! I even convinced Braelynn to go with me!" She exclaims in excitement. I smile. "Awesome. Hey, I've gotta get going. See ya guys later!" I leave the couple and head to my first class of the day.
*****B*****
Finally, the lunch bell rings and everyone shuffles out of the stuffy classroom, wanting to eat already. An arm is slung across my shoulders and I look to my right to see Xander. "Hey?" I greet in a questioning tone. "Hey, Braelynn! What's up!" Okay, Xander and I are friends and all, but we aren't this close. I don't mind, it's just strange. He also never acts like this.
"Uh, nothing much I guess." I reply slowly. "Awesome! Look," he lowers his voice and speaks quieter. "I need you to help me with something." he looks around before continuing. "I need you to help me plan a date with Emma." A light blush falls upon his cheeks when he is done his question. "Of course I'll help!" I say. Xander looks shocked for a moment before blinking slowly. "Really?" He questions in disbelief. I nod quickly. "Yup." He sighs in relief at my response. "Ah, thank you so much." He replies. We chat as we walk the rest if the way to the cafeteria together.
I sit in my usual spot next to Quinten. I notice he looks upset. Or more so, angry. Also, Rowan has another black eye. I nudge Quinten. He looks over at me, his expression softening. "What did you do to him?" I say quietly so that no one else could hear us. His eyes widen in surprise before going back to normal. "Don't drink anything at the party no matter what, okay?" Quinten says, completely dodging the question. I'm sure he has a reason though, so I nod either way. "Okay." I say. He nods in satisfaction before smiling fondly at me. I grin back at him, despite the unpleasant feeling in the out of my stomach.
Molly turns to me. "Brae, will you go shopping with me tonight? Ya know, for the party." She asks me with a small pout. Damn, this girl always knows how to get to me. "Molly..." I trail off. "Braelynnnnnn!" She whines. "Fine." I grumble. Molly claps her hands in excitement. "Emma, you should come with us! We could have a girls night and sleep over at my house or something!" Molly suggests. Emma nods her head, quickly agreeing to the idea. "Of course, I need a break from these idiots every once in a while!" She says jokingly. "Hey!" Her boyfriend, aka Xander, says in mock offense. "Emma!" Quinten gasps just as Rowan laughs. "Oh, if only I were lying." She shakes her head in 'sympathy'. "Sorry, boys. I know it's hard to be so stupid." And for the rest of lunch, lame jokes and insults are thrown around the table as we all laugh together, but little did I know, that would be ending soon.