I Wish It Would Rain

Chapter 17

The next day I arrived at school early, just because I got up early and I felt extremely restless. When I got to the school, I was surprised to see that Keith’s truck was already parked in the student parking lot. I shrugged it off, thinking that he must have been up there early so he could use the weight room before school.

Since there was nothing to do that early in the morning, I took the opportunity to take some pictures for the yearbook. I was happy that I wasn’t the only one who had chosen to come to school early.

I took various pictures, like a couple freshmen sitting against their lockers on the floor whilst finishing homework. There were also a couple of junior guys playing hacky sack in the hallway. I couldn’t wait to put these photos in the yearbook.

As I went back to my locker to get my things for first period, Lindsay and Clark were already waiting there for me.

“Where were you missy?” Lindsay accused me while stepping back so I could get into my locker.

“Take a chill pill,” I laughed while giving her a reassuring pat. “I was just taking pictures for the yearbook, since I got here early.”

“Ooh, lemme see!” she said eagerly while snatching my camera out of my hands. “Pen, I really think that you should go to school for photography. Look how great these are!” she said while scrolling through the pictures.

“Linds, I told you. My main focus is going to be in equestrian studies. It’s my passion and always will be. But, I may consider having photography as a minor or something. You never know what’ll happen,” I said taking my camera and putting it back into my locker.

Clark was silent the whole time. When I took a glance at him, he was fidgeting and looking around, as if he’d rather be anywhere else at the moment. I frowned, wishing that there wasn’t this awkwardness between us.

The cause of the whole awkwardness was walking down the hall towards my locker at that moment. But as I glanced at him, my eyebrows rose in disbelief. He was wearing a pair of black dress pants along with black slacks. He also had on a maroon dress shirt all brought together with a black tie.

“Good morning,” he greeted us as he came and stood by me, placing a quick kiss on my forehead.

“Morning,” I replied, staring at him. “Uh, do you mind me asking why you’re dressed like this?” I pointed to his attire.

“You remember what we talked about yesterday?” he said straightening his tie.

“I remember most of it, but I don’t see why you’re dressed up like this though,” I furrowed my eyes as I tried to think.

“Think harder,” he whispered closely to my ear.

I rubbed my fingers against my temple to try and think about exactly what we talked about yesterday. After a minute, I stopped what I was doing and stared at him.

“You didn’t,” I said in almost a whisper.

“Yes I did. And I have an idea for later today,” he winked at me.

So, if you’re a bit confused about what we talked about, well, while he was comforting me about Jake’s leaving, he decided to talk to me.

“I’m guessing that you two are pretty close, eh?” he whispered into my hair.

“Yeah, we are,” I sniffled. “I can go to him with all my problems. I even told him what happened to Mr. Briggs, and he went and talked to the school board yesterday.”

Keith’s arm stiffened around me. “And what happened?”

“The board agreed not to fire Mr. Briggs if he gives anyone else a detention. I really hope that they don’t go back on their word,” I said while fidgeting.