That Night (On Hold)

Chapter 2//

Walking into school I felt like everyone was staring at me.

Giving me pity.

Although I still went to school after the accident, today felt different. I don't know why, it just did.

Sara and Shay walked me to my locker to make sure I could hold things together. I stood at my locker after getting my books out for what seemed like forever, until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

It was Ethan.

"I'm ok..." I said trying to hold back any emotions that were rushing through my head at the moment.

"Ok." He said slowly removing his hand from my shoulder.

He was dealing with this all so well. I wonder if inside he feels the same way that I do.

I stood for a minute trying to pull myself together when suddenly the bell rang and I realized I was going to be late for class.

I sprinted to first period right as announcements were starting.

I immediately noticed an unfamiliar face across the room. He was actually kind of cute.

I sat down in my usually seat next to Sara.

"Are you ok?" She asked me.

"Yeah, I just had to go to the bathroom before class started. It's that time of month." I said acting like everything was fine.

Throughout the entire class I couldn't help but feel that mystery guy's eyes glued to me, yet every time I looked over at him he wasn't looking.

"So the answer to that would be what Ms. Gray?" I heard the teacher say.

I was too caught up on this guy that I wasn't even paying attention.

"I'm sorry, I don't know.." I said while my face turned bright red if embarrassment.

"I cut you some slack last year due to the circumstances but I think you're capable of listening now. I've given you enough time"

There would never be enough time in the world to get over what had happened that night 5 months ago.

"Yes Mr. Barnes, I'm sorry" I replied not meaning a word I had just uttered.

The bell rang and class was over and I was eager to get out of there. I walked out the door but was stopped by a tall muscular wall, that was not a wall at all.

I looked up slowly to see the mystery man that I was distracted by the entire class, looking at me with a smirk on his face.

"Oh, I'm so sorry" I said while starting to walk around him, but he stopped me.

"I'm Carter" he said holding out his hand for me to shake it.

Stunned I said, "I'm Sage..." while shaking his hand softly. It was rough and a lot bigger than mine.

"If you don't mind me asking, what were the circumstances?"

"What?" I said confused.

"In class, he said 'considering the circumstances', what were those circumstances?"

He had no right to ask me such a personal question, but how was he supposed to know that it was even a personal matter?

"Oh, uh my parents died in a car crash last spring on our way back from a visit to our Great Gandma's house..." I said stuttering trying to to let the words that had just came out of my mouth get to me.

His eyes widened and he didn't make a sound. He just stared at me.

"I know, it was hard for me to get over. I just have to keep moving on..." I said trying to fill the awkward silence between us.

"I'm so sorry. I had no clue, I shouldn't have asked." He said after what felt like an eternity of silence.

I could see sadness in his eyes. He looked as if his own parents had just died. I know it's a sensitive subject, but why would he feel so bad?

He didn't even know me.

He cleared his throat.

"Well, I'm very sorry for your loss, but I don't want you to be late for second period" he said as he walked away quickly.

The rest of the day passed and all I could think about was him. The mystery man who now had a name...Carter.

Why did he even care at all. What was so special about me that made him feel the need to ask? And why did I feel the need to answer?

I probably overthinking all of this. I should just leave it alone and get ready for Caroline's
party.

Did I forget to tell you? Caroline throws a party at the beginning of each year.

Maybe this party will be good for me. I can forget about everything that's happened and let loose, have fun.

Maybe Carter will even be there...