Into The Unknown

09

Raegan's POV

*Two weeks later*

My eyes roamed the crowd as we began to go on with our graduation practice. I haven't talked to Chris since my little rant at the airport. There was something I missed about him. I was with him for about a week, but his spirit touched me in a way I have never seen. Malcolm clutched my hand before we sat.

"Do not start a scene in here like you did yesterday. I am not in the mood for your b*tch a** attitude today. Do you understand me, Raegan?"

I nodded slowly, keeping my eyes glued to the person in front of me. I cringed once his lips grazed my skin. He let out a light chuckle before our principal called him to the office. As he rose and his grip left my hand, I slowly exhaled my tension. He was beginning to be more abusive than before I left for the trip. I sat up in my chair as my gaze fell upon Chris's head. I found myself staring at the back of his head before I felt a light touch on my arm.

"Amber," I whispered.

She gave me a tight hug and sat next to me.

"Are you going to just stare at him?"

I bit my lip while my face flushed with embarrassment.

"Go talk to him," she assured.

I stood briskly fixing my floral pink dress on the way to his row. As I gradually got closer to him, my stomach began to pump like I was having the worst labor cramps any woman could have. My hands gripped the chair before I let my bottom follow behind. Chris stared out into space while everyone else continued with their conversations. He looked as if he was that one lonely child in the middle of a playground. He didn't notice my presence. I let my hand graze the top of his thigh before he looked over to me.

"Hi," I whimpered.

"Hi," Chris answered.

"How have you been," I questioned. I usually don't ask people this question but this time, I was genuinely concerned.

"I've been okay. Just trudging along like everyone else," he trailed off. He began to pull at his sleeve while he spoke to me. I noticed his pants were starting to turn a dingy brown and his hair was beginning to grow out into a full head of hair.

I slowly began to rub his pants until the brown dirt came off onto my hand. I looked up at his face and he was beginning to turn red. I leaned over to his ear and whispered quietly, "Come home with me," and he nodded in agreement. My fingertips started to make small circles on his pants before he picked up my hand and removed it slowly.

"Malcolm is coming back," he soon said.

I got up and proceeded back to my seat before Malcolm could see me. Being able to touch Chris was something I longed for since the trip two weeks ago. I was ready for the graduation rehearsal to be over.

I stood by my car, waiting for Chris to exit the building. Everyone was gone by then and I wanted to get home to wash up. I was beginning to become impatient when he walked through the double doors. He slowly, but surely, approached my car while staring at the ground.

"You ready," I asked.

He simply nodded and I unlocked the car doors. He sat in the car and stared at the road in complete silence as I drove to my house. I wanted to ask him so very badly what was going on, but I decided to hold my tongue. As I was making my decision, traffic came to a halt. I stood up in my sunroof and saw traffic was backed up for miles. This was my chance.

"Chris, what's really going on," I trailed.

"What do you mean," he asked chewing his thumb nail.