Previously Strangers (TFIL/Sam and Colby)

Chapter Eleven

Word count: 1,420 words

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I took a few shaky breaths as I waited for Jacob to come into the coffee shop. Pressing my mug to my mouth, I took small sips of the berry tea. My lips curled into a small smile when I saw Jacob turning into the building, pushing his sweatshirt hood off his head, soaked from the pouring rain. I waved him over, rising to my feet as I let him pull me in for a hug.

The raindrops that lay on his jean jacket soaked my face as I rested my head on his chest. His touch was so comforting, so new and warm. I pulled away, letting out something between a sigh and a chuckle.

"What's going on? Are you alright, love?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows in worry.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek, then hastily blurted out, "Sam broke up with me."

I watched as he pulled the jean jacket off and hung it over the back of his chair, leaving him with only his red sweatshirt and black jeans on. We both took a seat as I spoke and his eyes widened in response, "What? why?"

I looked down, flinching at the intensity of his voice and shrugged, "he said we can be together when we can stop sneaking around; once I was older and out of high school."

"What an ass," He mumbled, "...I'm sorry Kate." Jacob placed his hands on mine across the table and squeezed them lightly, "Is there anything I can do?"

I shook my head lightly, "No, thanks. I don't really want to think about it."

He nodded, squeezing my hands once more before letting them go.

"How's online school going?" he asked, pulling my tea towards him and taking a sip.

I realized, with a sinking feeling, that I had barely done any schoolwork since I had been in LA and my grades were probably dropping by the day. I shook my head, "Uh, it's fine. How's real school?"

He shrugged, "We're on winter break right now, but we go back next week."

"how dreadful." I said, rolling my eyes.

"Nah, I don't think high school is that bad."

"Oh really? hmm, let me guess; you're head of a sports team, you have great grades and everyone loves you." I joked.

Jacob frowned, "Actually, I only play basketball and Soccer, I have okay grades, and I'm not very popular." He admitted, furrowing his brows at me.

"O-oh. I'm sorry. I just assum-" I muttered, feeling like a dog with its tail between its legs.

He shrugged once more, "It's okay, I'll take it as a compliment that you think I am such a stud." He chuckled as the waitress brought over the check. Jacob quickly handed her a five dollar bill to pay and gave me a smirk when I yelled at him for paying for me.

I rolled my eyes as I let out a small laugh, "Alright. Well, I really need to get home, my brother's going to be worried about me."

Jacob nodded and led me out of the store. When we reached his car, he leaned his body on the hood of his jeep and used his hands to pull me close to him. My heart raced as I felt my eyes close and our lips gently touch, the way it happens in movies. Everything was perfect in that moment. The kiss didn't feel forced or unwanted, it was calm and comfortable. It wasn't a sexual kiss, it felt very innocent. Everything was in slow motion and I didn't want it to end, but I pulled away a few seconds later with a smile plastered across my face.

"Can I drive you home?" he asked with a smile.

I nodded as he opened the door for me and helped me into the car. I clicked on my seat belt and watched as he turned the car on and began to pull away. My heart was still racing and I wondered if Jacob could hear it.

We traveled down the busy streets of Los Angeles, passing house after house as I told him which turns to take. We pulled up to the black gates of the house and stopped on the side of the street. I felt Jacob's hand slip onto mine and he gave it a small squeeze before letting go and clicking the doors unlocked.

I stepped out of the car, moved onto the driveway and waved to him as he pulled away and drove off. I typed in the passcode to the gate and watched them swing open. I clicked them shut again and made my way into the house.

There was music playing from several different spots throughout the house, banging coming from the garage and screaming coming from the gaming room. I chuckled to myself, knowing that this house would never be quiet. I kicked off my black running shoes and hung my windbreaker on the railing of the stairs.

I ducked into the kitchen, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge and taking a seat at the counter. Elton came striding in from the game room with a controller in his hand and grabbed a soda from the fridge.

"Hey, where were you?" he asked, leaning up against the opposite side of the counter.

I shrugged with a slight grin. "I went to meet a friend at The Bean"

"Oh, cool." he said. I frowned noticing him glance occasionally at the stack of savagely opened mail on the counter. "So, I found something interesting today in the mail..." he said, his voice growing in intensity.

I raised my eyebrows, wondering why he suddenly seemed so angry. "What?" I asked, screwing the cap back onto my bottle.

He cleared his throat, reached over to the stack of mail and pulled out a blue envelope that was torn open, with its white paper sticking out the top. He tossed the envelope in front of me and pursed his lips together.

I felt my stomach drop as I read the top of the envelope; 'Elkston Online School K-12 and Co.' I nervously pulled the letter out, nervously chewing on the inside of my cheek.

After reading the first line, my stomach dropped, and I let out a sigh, lowering the letter back to the table. After gaining the courage to continue, I picked it back up and began to read the rest.

'Dear Ms.Castee,

We regret to inform you tat we can no longer keep you in our program here at Elkston academy due to lack of participation and failing grades. As you may know, we have a strict policy here and expect much effort from our students. The faculty and staff here at the academy do not feel as though you have put a sufficient amount of time into your studies for quite some time, so we can no longer allow you to be a part of this program. We are very sorry and wish you the best in finding a new school.

best of luck,

Sara Cedance - Headmaster of studies'

I took a hard gulp, my stomach filling with butterflies. Elton was staring at me with a disappointed look smeared across his face, while his eyebrows were raised almost like he was asking for me to explain myself.

"I'm sorry." I muttered, looking down, twisting my hands in knots.

"Me too." He sighed, "Because the only place that would take you halfway through the year is LA Hills High."

My heart sank as if someone had placed weights on it, "What?" I asked in disbelief.

"I'm sorry, Kate, but there was nothing I could do. You need to finish high school and this is the only way I know you'll get your school work done. You start next Monday." He said with a sigh.

I stood up, growing more emotional by the minute, "Elton, do you realize what I went through at my last school? Hell! literal Hell. I can't do that again," I sniffed.

Elton Shrugged, "Kate, you don't know, maybe it'll be okay. Just give it a chance, maybe you'll like it."

I took a few shaky breaths, shaking my head. I shrugged in defeat, rolling my lips between my teeth, "Fine."