Promise I Will

27

I walk in the halls, finding my locker in the clutter of students. I turn the lock to the right combination and pull at it viciously. It stays put and huff out in frustration and turning it again. I pull at it once more, but still it stays locked. I squint narrowing my eyes on the object letting out a dog like growl.

"It's not a bone, just so you know." Carson's voice booms beside me making me jump up and freeze.

I turn to face the magnificent blonde boy and take in his appearance. His brown khakis hug his hips and, on his chest, rests a red polo under a grey cardigan. I smile at the boyish look. He sways back and forth in amusement of my previous actions.

"Oh please. If it was a bone, I wouldn't be having this problem. It would be broken and laying right there." I say, pointing at a specific spot near his foot with my index finger. I see him crack a smile and walk up closer to me, blocking my view of the crowd that has diminished with time.

"Tell me the numbers." The right side of his body presses to my left and I back up from his worm stature.

"Uh," I scramble my mixed brain for the numbers and spit them out a bit too fast, "38106."

"I'm sorry to say that the slower I only got 6."

"38... 10... 6." I space out the numbers waiting as he spun each number perfectly. With one final tug the lock opens, and I stare at him as he backs up and smiles proudly.

"Show off." I grumble under my breath.

"Just admit, I'm pretty fucking amazing." I stay quite understand from his choice of words. I just turn to my locker and trade my binder and textbook for the bag sitting on the top shelf of the small metal container.

* * *

Carson's hand holds a place on my lower back as we enter the lunchroom. Tables beyond tables are lined in rows greeting a student to sit and eat. I am directed to a table where I see the familiar faces of the boys yelling and my eyes widen when I spot a piece of bread go flying over the boys' heads and land in Wyatt's lap.

"Calm down boys. We have a new lunch pal. I believe you know her as Anna." He smiles, but I spot the hint of a warning in his gaze aimed towards the other boys when he introduces my presence.

I take a seat beside Bailey and Carson sits on my left. In front of me are both Liam and Wyatt side by side smiling warmly at me. I immediately return the gesture, letting the lips on my lips curl.

Say something, this is so awkward! Build that courage up. They won't hurt you they are nice. They aren't Olivia or Aiden. They care.

"I'm sorry, but Bailey every time I have seen you, you're always wearing black jeans and a black shirt. Do you own any colours?" I slip out my tongue and hold in the laugh forming at the back of my throat.

"I sometimes where white?" He says, but it sounds more like a question than a statement.

"That's just another shade." I crack a smile showing my teeth.

"I see teeth!" I hear from in front of me. I look towards the voice and see Wyatt with a large grin spread out on his face. I look down, still not letting the smile on my face fade away.

The rest of lunch, lunch plays out the same way. They make a comment and then it goes silent. Someone breaks the ice and we have a great laugh and the we repeat the process. These boys were quite are. They made me some more than I thought possible. It was amazing what they were able to make me do.