Happier

Chapter 13

It took her a few days to adapt to this whole new lifestyle. No more cheerleading practices, no turning heads anymore and no one who fears her. They all just bump into her as if she isn't even there. The only thing that was easy to adapt to, was having Cole by her side 24/7. He walks her to class, sits with her at lunch and every time they have a class together. She doesn't dare to kiss him in public yet though, and he respects that. He can only imagine how hard it must be for her to lose her mom and her status at the school in one month. They haven't talked about it yet, but he wants to give her some time and wait until she starts talking about it.

"Are you coming over tonight?" Lacey asks when they arrive at her locker before their last class.
"You want me to come over?" Cole sounds a little surprised. It's been a while since Cole has been at the Goldberg residence. Ever since he got kicked out by mister Goldberg and Lacey was struggling to set her priorities straight, he hasn't stepped one foot inside that house.
"Would I ask you if I didn't?" she raises an eyebrow at him, an amused smile plastered on her face.
"Probably not, no," he chuckles and carefully strokes a strand of her hair behind her ear. They both stop and stare. Like they always did. For a second, Lacey thinks she's going to give in and kiss him, but she then quickly shakes herself awake. It can't happen. Yet. She's not ready for that.
"I'll see you after school then, okay?" she then says before something happens. Cole smiles and nods before watching her walk away to her last class of the day. He wants to kiss her so badly, show her off to everyone. Show them they don't care about stupid labels and statuses. But she isn't ready yet. So, he'll wait.

"Yo Goldberg," someone shouts when Lacey sits down in the back of the classroom. Her head pops up, only to see Archie, Ryan and Jason stand in front of her. "How's that hobo boyfriend of yours, huh?" Jason asks, cocking his douchebag-head to the right a little. He shows off strong, shoulders wide and gritted teeth. Lacey doesn't reply. Losing her status meant losing her wittiness. She has nothing to reply with. Not one snarky remark.
"Lost your tongue, Bolide?" Lacey sighs softly at the nickname. That's what they're calling her now since she lost her title as cheer-captain. She's like a fallen star. A bolide.
"Cut it out, Jason," Melanie interrupts as she walks inside the room, a frown upon her face. She quickly glances at Lacey and gives her a court nod of acknowledgement. The Bolide smiles weakly. She just wants to disappear. Let the floor swallow her whole. Her phone buzzing makes her jump a little, but the appearance of Cole's name on her screen gets her to smile and relax.

From Coley Smoley 😘❤️: Teacher's absent. Stacey and I are walking home x

Lacey sighs and re-reads the message over again. She won't even have a moment in the car with Stace and Cole. It only upsets her a little. But before she can think about it twice, she grabs her stuff and leaves the classroom. Some heads turn to look at her, but when the teacher walks in, they focus back on their own business. Lacey runs through the hallway towards her locker where she finds Cole and Stacey. They're talking about God-knows-what, but they seem to have a good time.
"Cole!" Lacey shouts, walking closer. With each step she takes, she becomes more determined while her heart keeps pounding faster in her chest. The boy and her sister look up, a smile appearing on both their faces. They're only inches apart, and it makes Stacey realize she's third wheeling and shouldn't be here. Judging from her sister's eyes, she knows what's bound to happen.
"I'm going to wait at the car," she says, but no one really hears it, so she turns around and leaves the couple alone. They stare one another down, not really knowing what to say.
"Why aren't you in class?" Cole asks, not really wanting to know the answer. She looks at him and takes a deep breath as if she's about to say something. Instead of her lips forming words, they reach up to meet his in a sweet, tender kiss.
"I've been dying to do that," she whispers, keeping the one-inch-distance from his lips.
"Good, so have I," Cole says back and picks her up for another kiss. Lacey giggles at the sudden rush in her stomach. It's not even butterflies anymore, it's everything at once.
"Let's go home, shall we?" he suggests while taking her hand and intertwining her fingers with his. The two make their way through the hallway and towards the parking lot where they find Stacey at the mint-colored Fiat. The smile on the younger Goldberg's face reaches her ears.
"Hashtag Cacey," she says with a smile and Lacey takes her in for a one-armed-hug. Cole chuckles besides the sisters, holding onto Lacey's hand. The three of them get into the car and Lacey drives them home with the music loud.