With A Full Heart

× || chapter five

× || chapter five

        Everything about the next couple of days felt normal. Jack was yet to contact me again, after all, I practically begged him to leave me alone. It was a decision I'd made a long time ago—a decision I tend on keeping.

With my feet walking in unison with my heart beat, I quickly close in on the school doors, along with a few of the Sackler High students. Most students here this early were either here for one of three things; cheer practice, debate club, or community service. 

Passing the closed off gym, I continue my trek towards the stage. A few debaters lingered outside the drama room with papers in their hands, talking to the wall like it was the audience. I quietly made my way through and popped my head into the stage, both Maya and Kale sat center stage; laughing like it would save their lives.

"Oh Lucy, hey!" Kale greets as I walk up and sit down, Maya too hyped up in laughter to greet me. "Is it true that he's back?"

Slowly, I nod. Way to fly the red flag out in a bull ring, Kale.

"Don't speak of him," Maya warns, finally down from her fit. "He's one not to be reckoned with. Hasn't even been here a full day and he's already in trouble."

Snapping my head her way, I let my mouth fall in surprise, "you're kidding?"

"Nope," she states. "He was caught groping Reed Bishop in the girl's locker room during cheer practice. Coach Moore found his hand all up and—"

"Uh, stop!" I shudder. A feeling I couldn't place crept up my spine. Hadn't he just been at my house trying to make amends? Now he's groping cheerleaders in the locker room?

"Sorry," she giggles, leaning into Kale. "Seems he hasn't taken any time since yesterday."

"Apparently not," I shrug. I need to shake off this feeling. "It's not my business anyways."

Both Kale and Maya stare at me, then at each other, sharing something between their glances. Ever since they started dating at the end of freshman year, they've been inseparable. Maya will always be my bestfriend, but her connect to Kale is something I aspire to have. They just found each other at the right time and it clicked. Our friend group never got weird or one sided. I never felt left out. It was perfect. Aside from their ability to communicate without talking. That, I hated. 

"What?" I huffed.

"It's Jack, Lucia." Kale says slowly. 

"And . . . what?" I throw my hands up. "He's allowed to do whatever he wants. I'm fine." 

"We're just thinking that maybe you should've heard him out a bit more. It wasn't his fault he left, I mean his dad died. They moved. People change," Kale finishes.

Falling against the stage floor, I sigh. "I get that. But he didn't just move, he disappeared. Not even a single call, just poof." We had been friends for so long that I thought we'd stay as close as we did when he lived here. 

"He's obviously in a hard spot. He might just need the support of somebody who knows him best." Maya chimes in and I scoff, glaring at the two of them. I take back what I said. I feel very ganged up on right now. 

"Knew," I correct. "I don't know him anymore. And I don't want too. I made it clear where my feelings were yesterday. Nothing is going to change that. I don't want to get to know him. He left me. He stopped calling me. I can't forgive that." 

I stand up, grabbing my bag. Maya reaches for my hand and I turn away. "I may be over reacting, but I would have at least expected you two to be on my side with this. I know what you're trying to do and I would appreciate it if you didn't." 

I turn on my heel and walk away. Maya calls out for me but Kale quickly hushes her. He's right too. I don't feel like talking anymore. I know I'm overreacting. I know that Maya nor Kale deserved my blow-up. But everything about Jack makes me anxious. I mean, Reed Bishop? Seriously? Who is he?