Senseless

makeup

Waking up early for school was no cakewalk. It was four o'clock in the morning because the estate was an hour or so away from home, and I was dragging my feet for the first few seconds. Then, the reality and excitement kicked in: I was going to school.

I hoped people wouldn't ask me where I was, because I truthfully didn't have an answer unless I wanted to spill everything about Nash's illegal career. I pulled on my Adidas after I was ready. I left it down in those curls. My dress wasn't even mine. It was Amber's. I raked a hand through my hair and went downstairs. Amber was waiting with my backpack leaning against her leg, obviously buzzing with excitement. Elena was already gone.

Seeing my confusion, Amber said, "Arianna takes them earlier so they can beat the car line." Nodding, I followed her into the freezing air outside towards my car. Nash was already in the driver's seat. "Nash has the car warmed up already," Amber quipped.

We got into the car, Amber in the back and me in the front. Nash smiled, but I could tell it wasn't just naturally there. I knew he wasn't such a smiley person. The drive was quiet, but there was an obvious excitement vibrating in the air around the three of us. I wondered how much they'd missed school as well.

"Let's go get breakfast before school," Amber piped up from the back.

Nash nodded in agreement and, after a few minutes, pulled into our diner and we all took our seats in a booth. Amber kept ahold of my hand and Nash leaned back in his side across from us. We all wanted biscuits and gravy, and dug into our meals when they arrived. I ate three biscuits and earned an approving squeeze of the hand from Amber, who smiled at me encouragingly. I was so full, I thought I'd pop.

The school was already filling up when we arrived. It was around seven, and the three of us walked in towards the courtyard. I felt eyes on me and looked down, hoping my hair covered up my face. Maybe they wouldn't notice me.

Nash's arm came around my shoulder comfortingly and I leaned into him without meaning to. Amber smiled and said, "I have to talk to Ethan, but I will see you later. Alright?"

I nodded and looked around. What was my first period again? I didn't even know. "Where do I go first?" I asked Nash quietly.

He chuckled. "English. Then photography with me, then math."

I went to English when the bell rang, already feeling Nash's absence. I felt like I'd been left alone in the jungle, filled with wild animals who kept whispering and gesturing to me. Biting my lip, I looked around to see that my old seat was taken by a girl who was whispering and giggling to some blonde boy. He looked familiar, with blue eyes, glasses, and strong arms underneath the fabric of his shirt.

Lane. The name bounced around in my mind and I remembered that I didn't like him. Finding the back, I took my seat and kept my hand on my dress to make sure the gun didn't show. I was terrified that it would be seen and I'd be taken to jail. My foot tapped. I couldn't believe I was wearing sneakers with a dress, but I knew I couldn't survive the day in heels.

"Seb?" My eyes closed in disappointment and I blew out a breath. The teacher was giving me a surprised look. I gnawed on my lip nervously and looked around. One boy, I noticed, had been seen roaming the halls at the estate. He gave me a reassuring smile, seemingly cheering me on. "Where have you been?" She seemed shocked to see me, and she smiled slightly.

"Uh, just..." I looked around for help. The boy I'd seen, who was only one seat down, mouthed, Visiting family. "I was just visiting family." My voice sounded a little grainy. I sent him a thankful look and looked back at the teacher nervously.

"You're back just in time. I don't think the time off counted too hard against you, considering you weren't there for the work." I nodded, crossing my legs tighter and trying to keep the gun hidden. "Um, you will have to read The Chocolate War. We are to start the essay this week." She walked back and set the book on my desk. "It's good to have you back."