The Infinity Trilogy

Chapter 3

 Chapter 3

Adrian hardly said a word to me up until lunch, which was just fine with me.  He seemed to like talking with everyone else in our classes, though.  But when he was, I could sense him looking over at me quite a few times.  I just ignored him, though.

I kept close to Trygg's side as we walked into the cafeteria.  In our last class, he and Variel kept looking at him with narrowed eyes.  None of them liked him, even though they hadn't officially met him yet.

I looked over to find Adrian sitting with all of the football players.  Caleb's old friends to be exact.  He was laughing and talking with them like they'd been friends for years.

"He seems like a real piece of work," Variel said as was walked toward out table with our trays.  "I don't like him."

"I don't know," Trygg said.  "There's something about him that's off.  I just can't put my finger on it."

I shrugged as we sat down at the table.  There was one seat open.  No one wanted to take it away.

Silently, I ate while the others talked about some things that were going on in their classes.  When I was finished, I looked around the cafeteria and my eyes landed on Adrian.  I didn't know why, but it was like my eyes were drawn to him.

He was looking at me, though, and it looked like he'd been watching me for a while since he was leaned back in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest.  When he saw me looking, he nodded his head toward the doors leading out of into the hallway.  Sighing, I nodded and stood up.

"I'll be back in a minute," I said to everyone.  I could feel their eyes on me as I grabbed my tray to throw the rest of my food in the trash and then as I headed for the door.

Adrian had already gone out into the hallway and was walking toward the band room door.  I followed his retreating figure inside where the only light was coming from the partially open blinds. 

"Hey," I heard Adrian say from the direction of where a group of chairs were set up.  I looked over and saw his shadowy figure.

"Hi," I said, walking toward him.  I sat down in the chair furthest away from him, which was only by a few feet.  "What do you want?"

I heard him sigh and saw him run a hand through his hair.  "I just wanted to apologize for this morning.  It wasn't my place to say all of that when your obviously still going through a tough time."

"Are you now?" I asked sarcastically. 

"Yeah, I am," he said.  "So again, I'm sorry for acting the way I did this morning."

Sighing, I shook my head.  "Okay, you're forgiven," I said.  "Just don't piss me off again or you'll be getting worse than that."

He chuckled.  "I bet," he said.  "Just by asking around about you, I've gathered that you've turned into a real badass since your days as miss goody-two-shoes cheerleader."

"Let me guess where this is going," I said.  "You want to know what changed me."

"That obvious, huh?" he asked.

I nodded.  "Yeah, it is," I said. 

He waited silently for me to say something. 

"You want me to tell you what happened, don't you?"

He chuckled again.  "Yeah," he said. 

I sighed.  "I pretty much told you everything already," I said.  "I kind of went crazy on my eighteenth birthday and they sent me to a mental hospital.  I was only there for a week before Zack - I mean Dr. Hill - got me out and brought me to his house.  I've been there ever since and I love it.  My friends are there.  Everyone who I talked to before doesn't acknowledge me anymore, not even my old best friends.  You’re actually sitting where I used to sit at the lunch table.  Those had all been my friends before I 'went crazy'.  I don't even talk to my own parents anymore.  They want nothing to do with me."  Tears filled my eyes as I spoke.  I really needed to stop crying.

Adrian was silent for a few minutes before he spoke.  "Sorry your life sucks," he said.

I burst out laughing.  "No, it doesn't," I said.  "I love my life now.  I just wish some things were different."

I saw him smile.  "That's the first time I've seen you smile or laugh.  You need to do it more," he said.

I rolled my eyes.  "I'll be sure to do that," I said dryly.

He laughed again and stood up.  "That Lola's pretty beautiful, too," he said.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks at his words.  "Thanks," I said.

He grinned again.  "You’re welcome," he said, and walked out of the room with just one more backward glance. 

I sat there for another minute before I stood and went back to the cafeteria.  As I walked back to the table, everyone was watching me.  My face still felt a little flushed from what Adrian said.

"What was that about?" Trygg asked.  "We know you hate the guy, so why we're you with him?"

I shrugged as I sat down.  "He just wanted to apologize.  He's...okay...now I guess.  I still don't like or trust him very much."

Arin nodded.  "We don't need to trust him.  We can't let him find out about us.  He is the son of the Secretary of Defense after all.  So don't let him find out too much about you," she said, aiming the last part at me.

"I won't," I said.  

***Kind of short, I know, but I might try and have something else up tonight!  8 votes and 5 comments if you want chapter 4 tonight!

So what do you guys think of Adrian now?  He's kind of growing on me...  :)

Comment, Vote, and Like!!!1***