When You Left... (Prequel)

Ch.12 - Projects

Projects

N A T E' S P O V

From: Lukey

Missin' Home

Received 08:09

Read 08:13

"Yes Drew I know" I say with a sigh, he keeps going on about how he doesn't trust Marc and that he's up to something. He rolls his eyes,

"I don't want you to get hurt" he says. I turn to face him once we get to our lockers, he sighs.

"I know and I appreciate it, I really do. But please just... I don't know just keep calm I guess, maybe Marc had a change of heart? Don't just make assumptions" I say with a small smile before sorting out my locker, in the corner of my eye I see him look down.

Once I had got the stuff I needed I look back over at him, "Cheer up" I say with another smile. He looks up at me and smiles, "There's that smile I love" I say teasingly. Then suddenly he's frowning, oh okay then. I notice he's staring at something over my shoulder, following his gaze I see Carter and his gang. Great.

I look away quickly not wanting them to see me, so far I've had a good day without them doing anything. I don't want it to stop now, it's only just gone past first period.

I hear their voices getting louder as they get closer, I bite my lip still focusing my gaze on the ground. In the corner of my eye I see them walk past without acknowledging me, I have to bite back my smile before I jinx myself. Just as I was about to let out a sigh of relief Marc stops walking over, "great, just great" I mumble. I look everywhere but in his direction making it seem like I don't know he's walking over.

Yet it's pretty obvious that I do know, and about half of the school that are here in the hallway are watching. "Hey Nate" I hear his voice say, I mentally sigh and look over at him giving him a fake small smile.

"Hi" I say quietly, he looks at Drew who's watching almost protectively.
"Hey" Marc mumbles to Drew not even waiting for his answer before he goes back to talking me, I still don't get it. Why is he talking to me? Why does he want to be seen with me? Why is he helping me? He's supposed to be on Carter's side, I mean they are his friends n' all.

"So I was wondering if you wanted to maybe hang out this weekend?"

I almost choke on air, did I hear him right? He wants to hang out with me this weekend? Me? He must be joking, no one wants to hang out with me. Especially him, the only person that does is Drew. He looks at me awaiting my answer,

"I-uh, uh-" I start, why do I always stutter around people?

"Sorry, we've got plans" Drew speaks up pushing himself off his locker he was leaning on, he has his arms crossed as he keeps a straight face. I haven't seen this part of Drew much, it's actually quite weird.

Marc somewhat glares at Drew – who does the same back, Marc turns back to me. "S-sorry" I say quietly, he smiles.

"No worries, maybe another time" then he's walking away back to Carter and his gang, I let out a deep breath leaning against my locker.

"Come on we're gunna be late" Drew says not looking at me as he leads the way, I sigh for about the twentieth time this morning and follow behind.

This is just great.

...

Its final period now and I have science, Drew is in a different class to me so it's just me in this one. So I chose to sit at the back away from everyone, that doesn't mean they don't find a way to pester me. I get paper balls thrown at me, I get notes with horrible things written on them, and I get weird looks and comments when I do decide to contribute to the lesson.

Fortunately for me, Carter is not in this lesson. Only two of the members of his 'gang', I never bothered to learn their names. Oh wait no, Marc is in this lesson. And he keeps giving me glances every now and then, making me uncomfortable. He's in the middle next to the other two bullies, and some girls who often stare at him and the other two guys with love eyes.

Yuck.

I drown out the boring voice of my teacher at the front and look out the window, my mind starts wondering without me even realising it.

Why haven't the bullies done anything to me all day? This is like the first time ever, well other than the times when Carter was off so the others didn't do much. And the times when I hid in the toilets to get away from them, and the times I faked being sick so I didn't have to go to school.

By now I am convinced they are planning something, why else would they suddenly leave me alone? That's not something they are known for doing, it's only making me more anxious.

"Nate and Marc"

I look up hearing my name, nearly everyone is looking at me or Marc. Some snickering, whispering and saying 'good luck' or 'keep you're distance he's contagious'. I almost roll my eyes but I remember what happened the last time I did so, once the teacher had stopped reading out names I see everyone moving around.

I watch in confusion, then suddenly Marc is walking over to me. He puts his stuff down and sits in the seat beside me, "Hey" He smiles.

"Hi"

Why is he here and what is going on?

"These are the partners you will be working with for the rest of the term, you are allowed to choose what you study. The best will get the highest marks, on the day they are due you will have to present it in front of the class" Miss explains, oh great it's a project. And I have to work with Marc.

"So when you do wanna start?" He asks, I bite my lip looking around.

"Uh, I don't m-mind"

"How about next weekend we can meet up somewhere?" he suggests, I nod slowly. He smiles wider.

How am I going to tell this to Drew?

To: Lukey

Missin' u

Received 14:55

Read 17:01