Shards of a Heart

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 - Now

Francis walks me to my next class, which has become a daily routine for him. I have work to do today in study hall, but I grab a laptop anyway and log in. An email to Jade is long overdue.

Dear Jade,
What do you wear to a coffee shop date that you're not even really sure is a date? Nevermind, because I have no time to prepare for this anyway. Plain T-shirt and black jeans it is. Yeah, you read that right; you girl just was asked by a real life (and amazingly good-looking) guy to go to with him after school. What was I thinking when I said yes? I've only known him for a week, and we only talk in astronomy.
Anyway, Camdon's confusing as ever with this secret project he can't tell me about, then ignoring me for seven days. I love hearing his voice, but with that pleasantry comes things I don't want. It's getting worse Jade. Francis caught me thinking about it and I almost couldn't formulate a full sentence back I was so out of it.
Oh Francis. What do you order on a date? Okay, maybe not a date but... Ahh I'm having a panic attack Jade! How on earth do I survive this?
Crap the teachers looking at me weird, probably because I'm smiling, got to go.
~Cee

You know the saying 'Time flies when you're having fun'? According to my 8th hour teacher, we are having a 'fun' class today, so we get to read the whole time. I don't know what world considers reading fun (okay, I sort of do; I like reading), but Wuthering Heights is not when I can't think of anything other than Francis.
Lucky for me, some kid gets in an argument with the teacher that lasts for a few loud minutes before being sent to the office, so I am distracted for about 2.45 seconds as I think about doing the same. But the reason I want to get out of class is to see Francis, so I was back to thinking about his icy blue eyes.

When the final bell actually rings, I'm already out of the door. I'm sure my teacher is yelling at me right now, but I honestly don't care. She can't punish me when it's not school hours. I walk about ten feet before I realize I have no idea where I am going. I stop, recieving a few comments from the people behind me, then turn around and walk in the opposite direction, making sure to move to the right side of the hall in order to avoid being trampled. Only, at this school, being trampled is more of a brush of a hand, whereas in Seattle, if you walked against the flow of students you'd probably end up on the floor with people walking over and around you, or, if you were important enough like Jade, people would wait for you, causing a traffic jam that looked similar to the pit of a rock concert. Scary things, school hallways.
I head to my locker, hoping I'll catch Francis around there. After stuffing my books in the top compartment and forcing a few needed ones into my gray backpack, I stand awkwardly, staring emptily into it.

I think about texting Francis and pull out my phone, but, with a dramatic and frustrated eyeroll, I shove it back in my pocket. I never even got his number.

"Darling, is school stressing you this much already?" I jump around and bang my elbow on the locker door. Francis is smiling mischievously at me with his perfect pearls. I feel the tingles make their way up my arm and grab it in pain, grimacing. Mr. Monster over here laughs at me as I try to slam the door closed. It bounces off my backpack which is in the way, and almost hits me in the face again. I scream and jump back, while Francis simply sticks his foot up to stop its movement. I feel my cheeks heat.

Great way to start off the night isn't it.

"How'd you know where my locker was?" is the only thing I can manage to spit out, staring helplessly at Francis as he picks up my backpack and shuts the lockers gently. He shrugs for an answer and slips my backpack on his back. Apparently, he's too cool for school.

"You ready to go?" He questions as he walks past me towards the back of the building. I nod, even though he can't see me, and follow silently behind.

"I thought I told you before Celia; in order to walk with me, you have to walk next to me". He turns around so he is strolling backwards. I mumble a quick 'sorry' and move closer so that he spins again and we are walking side by side.

"You don't talk much," Francis comments as we reach the back door. He pushes it open and we walk through.

"No need to," I answer "I don't have much to say."
Instead of pestering me, he keeps quiet. When we reach the sidewalk, he pulls me closer by putting his arm around my side gently. My chest contracts, as though someone had just punched me. There are a few students around us, but we walk slower than them.I look down, and we walk in silence. Francis seems to be in no hurry. I still feel trapped with his arm around me, no matter how light it is resting on my waist.

Movement ahead catches my eyes, so I look up. Ahead of us, a kid's backpack is open. The wind catches a piece of paper, and it flies out. Francis takes his arm off me, so I assume he is going to grab it and hand it to the oblivious owner. Instead the paper travels past us. I frown and look at Francis, but he is looking off into the distance. He must've not seen the paper.

Being too late to go grab it, I jog up next to the kid. Francis notices this and follows. His arm goes around me again when I tap him on the shoulder.
"Your backpack's open, some paper came out" I say kindly before Francis pulls me ahead. I look behind to see the other guy fix his loose bag.

"We're almost there," Francis bends close to my ear and I feel myself involuntarily pulls away. Ice colored eyes notice, but ignore it.

Up ahead is a small corner coffee shop. Its line stretches out the door into the outdoor seating. I expected it to be full of high school students, but I see little kids walking out with ice cream, and an elderly couple enjoying a warm drink near the window. This coffee shop looks more like a hangout for people of all ages.

In a few seconds, we reach the end of the line, which, surprisingly is moving fast. Francis' arm is still around me so I feel awkward, but it's getting easier to breath.

"What are you thinking you want?" He asks and pulls out his wallet. I think for a second.

"I guess just an Iced Coffee" I answer, and am rewarded with a laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"They don't sell normal things here. It's all different and it changes every month. See" he points to a young girl walking out with he mom, a small purple scoop of Ice cream in her hand. "That is honey lavender ice cream. It's actually good, if you like sweet stuff. The couple over there is most likely drinking the 'retro tea'. I don't know what's in it, but according to the workers all the older people get it and enjoy it." I open my mouth a little. I was never going to able to decide. "I'm going to get the apple and wasabi iced coffee" I cringe at the name, and again he laughs. "It's not that spicy"

"It sounds gross. The honey thing sounded better"

"I think you should try the rose petal and dandelion root tea. They have that all year round, and it's good if you like sweet stuff."

"Yeah sure i'll just drink flowers" I say sarcastically, but as we approach the building, he turns away. I expected to order inside, but right near the door is a sliding window. He orders the flower drink for me and the gross concoction for himself then leads me inside.

• • • • • • •

This is unedited, so sorry for errors and any plain sentences. I just wanted to get this up for the few of you that read this.

It would mean the world to me if you recommend this to your friends and family and dog and cat and even to your dead great great great grandma.

Remember to comment and vote! Also if you want you can follow me on twitter @3amtrainwreck

As always,
Stay Gold

AJ♥️