Linger

T W E N T Y - T W O

Nothing else exciting happened over the weekend.

After the game, which the Blue Jackets won, my family and I left to go have lunch and I didn't see Mr. Hayden at all after the game. The rest of Saturday and all of Sunday was spent catching up on actual homework, completing the projects that were due this upcoming week and watching a YouTube video or two in between. 

Or three . . .

. . . Okay, I lost track after ten. 

I even searched more for my necklace just to procrastinate, but ended up even more frustrated . . . pretty eventful weekend to say the least. 

Sasha, Alice, Chelsea and I texted all weekend, mainly about the formal and about the dresses we found Friday night, which I was thankful for. I wasn't about to tell them a word about my time with Mr. Hayden this time. Mostly because I wanted to figure this out myself and keep it just between us two, whatever it is we had. 

Besides, as if being with a teacher wasn't risky enough, telling others about us could put us at greater risk of people finding out. So the less people who knew, the better.

Monday morning came along and I figured a new week could give me a fresh start, just put last week and all of its mishaps behind me and start fresh. 

I straightened my dark brown hair, making it sleek and smooth appearance and applied some light makeup. Last time Mr. Hayden told me he didn't want to interfere with my life, I dragged myself out of bed and barely put an effort in my appearance. But I didn't want that to happen this time around. I wanted to feel better and not let one part of my life ruin my entire day. 

After dressing up in my favorite skirt and top, I grabbed a quick bite to eat and slipped on my boots before heading to school.

Walking up the steps to the school, I focused my mind on my schoolwork, which was the main reason I was here anyway, not to see Mr. Hayden or anyone else. Honestly, I just wanted a break from the drama and all the emotions it brought, so focusing schoolwork seemed like a pretty good idea.

I took a deep breath and clutched onto my bag as I entered the doors that led to the usual crowded hallways of our high school. After making my way through the halls, by squeezing past a couple of juniors who suddenly thought it was acceptable to stop and chat in the middle of the hallway, I finally made it to my locker.

"Hey cutie!" Sasha smiled brightly at me as I reached her, Chelsea and Alice at our lockers. "Got someone special on your mind?"

I knitted my eyebrows, turning to her. "What?"

"I'm guessing Friday night went really well because you look like a total smokeshow." 

"Says you, you beauty queen!" I nodded to her outfit with a smile. 

"Well, Friday night did go pretty well . . ." She twirled from side to side, playing with her skirt. 

"Really?!" I gasped as I spun my lock and opened my locker. "With Ben??"

She nodded eagerly, her smile growing. 

"Sasha!!" I squealed, holding my arms out and pulling her into a hug. "Oh my gosh! I'm so happy for you! What happened? What'd you do?? Did you go to the game?" 

"You know I don't kiss and tell." She winked at me as we pulled away. "But I seriously can't believe this is actually happening. Like, I'm actually with someone as hot as him." 

"More like, he's actually with someone as hot as you," I corrected her with a laugh as I turned to my locker and retrieved my books. 

"Speaking of hot . . ." A wicked smile grew on her lips as she leaned against her locker next to mine. "How did your date go with Tom?"