BREAKING FREE.

CHAPTER 9

Everybody in School had a happy face since it was the beginning of summer holidays. Normal discipline had been relaxed.
There was already a subdued buzz of activity up and down the dormitory, we weren't allowed to be up so early, but the girls were ignoring the rules that decreed they should not get up before the bell and were moving in and out of the bathrooms.

Locker doors opened and shut and I could hear suitcases being dragged along the floor.

I had earlier postponed my plan of visiting Amelia, she only agreed after I convinced her that I will go home for just a week and later on visit her.
She wasn't so happy with the idea, but after I gave her some chocolate candy from the cafeteria she thought differently of the matter.

I hopped out of bed and went to the bathroom to take a shower. I was done in twenty minutes and decided to join my friend at the cafeteria for breakfast.

*

At last I was going home to see my mother and later my brother.
Chase was due to come back not less than a week after my arrival from School. I couldn't hide my Joy since I will get to see him after so many months.

The School had already closed and only few people were still roaming around the School compound waiting to be picked up by there relatives. I was waiting for the bus that will take me home and this time round it was taking it forever to arrive.
I think it was my eagerness to reach home that made me so impatient.

At last the bus arrived and I got in, there were few people inside, I entered the bus and went to seat at the last row facing the window.
Some more passengers got in and finally the bus took off.

My mind couldn't stop wondering what was in store for me this holiday, was it going to be good?
Definitely it will since Chase will be around and I wont be so bored.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts, I didn't notice a sandy blonde guy, around my age with piercing blue eyes waving his hands in front of me.

"Huh? "I said turning around to face him.

" A penny for your thoughts beautiful, is this seat taken? "he asked with a smirk on his face.

You got that right, he smirked not smiled.
Who does that? I thought to myself, on their first encounter with a total Stranger.

" No. "I simply answered, I wanted to ask him if he was blind and couldn't see that the seat was empty, but I decided to keep my mouth shut.
There was something about him that turned me off the moment I saw him but I couldn't get what it was.
Beside being so gorgeous I couldn't stand him.

He sat beside me and I turned around and looked out of the window.
The weather was good and the sun in all its morning glory was shining so bright. It was going to be amazing summer.

"I'm Luke, "I hear him say beside me.

" Ava. "I answered not bothering to look at him.

" Avaa.."he repeated dragging the letter 'a', I turned around with a questioning look on my face.

"You see, I just love it". He said looking at me intently.

I knew I was right about him, his behaviour is so weird and the way he was looking at me, got me more nervous than before. But I decided to stare back, I didn't want him to think he was getting into me.

"What? "I asked staring into his blue eyes.

" Your name, I just love it. Its so beautiful and sweet like the owner. "he whispered staring down my face.
I rolled my eyes.

" You know what I think?"I whispered as well still on our staring contest.

"You should rather focus on your lines.. cause that was too cheesy. "I said and turned to look out of the window again.
I hear him chuckle beside me but I didn't bother to look at him.

" So where are you heading to? "

" To see my family, "I say, trying not to continue with the conversation. I was hoping he would get the message that I didn't want to talk but he didn't.

" Cool. so, where are you originally from? "
Why was he so full of questions.

" Are you interrogating me? "I snap at him.
He looked at me with mild surprise on his face.
" No-no, please pardon my manners, I didn't mean to up set you." He said with an air of innocence in his voice.

I didn't bother replying him, I went back to enjoying the view out side,but guilt soon washed over me.
I shouldn't have snapped at Luke, he was just being friendly or maybe he wasn't.

"Look, I'm sorry for being rude before, I'm just not in the mood to answer so many questions. "I explain to him.

" Hey, don't sweat it. "he paused" But I noticed you even looked more beautiful when angry. "He said grinning mischievously.

This dude was just too much, instead of being great full of my apology he is making fun of it.

" You know what, Luke.. I take back my apology. "I huffed.

" But what have I done? "he whined.
I looked at him and he was pouting, I couldn't hide it anymore and I burst out laughing.
" What's so funny? "he asked suddenly surprised.
" Are you really pouting or just my imagination! "I said laughing again.

He looked at me and smiled, a genuine smile which showed the side of him I haven't seen before, he looked more handsome that I was lost in his blue eyes.
" Is that what made you laugh? "he asked looking into my eyes. I didn't reply to that.
" Then I think I should pout more often, just to hear that laughter again. "he was back to his cocky self, but I realized he wasn't that bad,after that we engaged in small talks until we reached our destination.

I get up and retrieve my bag before following Luke out of the bus.

" Alright well, nice meeting you. "I say to Luke as I began to walk away.

" Wait."I hear Luke say.

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you give me your number? that way if you're ever bored of hanging out with your brother and mum all summer, you'll have someone else. "He says with a small smile.

I could tell he meant it all in a friendly way, and not flirty.

" Yeah sure".
We exchange numbers and say our goodbyes as we go separate ways. I go out to the cars and look around until I see my mum. She notices me too and walks over to me.

She is wearing a white dress with beautiful flowers decorated at the hem, I can remember she only likes to wear this dress on special occasions and in this case she is wearing it.

"Hello mum, "I say dropping my bag down and hugging her.

" Ava.. sweetie, you are back, its so nice to see you." She said hugging me back.
I felt something in her voice and knew she wasn't alright, I hugged her even tighter.

"Mum, what's wrong? "I asked my voice muffled in her chest.
She pulled out of the hug and looked at me.
" Nothing my baby, I'm just glad you are back home again. "She said holding my face with teary eyes.
I have never loved my mother more, at that moment she was everything to me.
We walked back home arm in arm with my mother, talking and laughing.