Zoey 101: You Must Of Had A Broken Heart ☑

Chapter 14

“I’m not much of a talker,” I confessed, turning back to our assigned reading.

“I know.” His answer drew my attention - he had that amused grin spread across his lips.

I wasn’t in the mood to inquire about his antagonizing grin and didn’t give him another glance for the remainder of class. I wasn’t allowing myself to be dragged into the mystery that was Chase Mathews, not today. I just wanted to get through the day with as little attention paid to me as possible. I wished it could have been that easy.

Chase escorted me to Ms. Mich’s Art class. He didn’t try to talk to me. But he’d inspect me with a concerned flip of his eyes every so often as I walked blankly through the halls, not looking at him or anyone else. I had to sever my emotional cord to escape the anger and shame that silently slithered through my head, disconnecting myself from the stares and whispers that followed me down the hall.

“Today you are going to take a walk around the school property and snap pictures of scenes that inspire you for the calendar entry next month,” Ms. Mich announced. “The final pieces will be displayed along the wall of the main entrance where the students and faculty can view them. A vote will decide the twelve pieces to make the calendar. The artistic creation that has the most votes will also be the cover of the calendar. Does anyone have any questions?”

The class was silent. Ms. Mich asked a couple of students to pass out the cameras from the storage cabinet.

“Are you submitting an entry?” I asked Chase, who was standing behind me with his own camera in his hands. I glanced back to catch him raise his eyebrows, surprised to hear my voice.

“I’ll submit a photograph.”

“Please meet back in the class in forty minutes to return the cameras,” Ms. Mich instructed.

The class emptied into the halls, heading toward the stairs that led to the back of the school. I opted to take the side stairs that let out at the football field and tennis courts.

“Do you mind if I come with you?” Chase asked from the top of the stairs. I looked up at him from the middle of my descent and shrugged with indifference. Chase followed me in silence.

When we exited, the cool air blew against my face. The refreshing breeze sent a chill through me, waking me from my stupor. I observed the brilliant colors of the foliage and proceeded toward the football field.

“Did your parents say anything when you came home soaked the other night?”

“They weren’t around,” he replied dismissively.

“Does that bother you – not having them around?” I asked the question without thinking, not expecting an honest answer since it really was none of my business.

But he responded. “I’ve learned to cope. It was easier when my brother was still here.”

“You live with your aunt and uncle, right?” he countered.

“Yup.” I bent over to take a picture of the field through the fence, twisting the lens of the camera so it produced a blur of color. I stood up and continued toward the wooded area behind the bleachers.

“Not easy?” Chase stated casually, like he already knew the answer.

“No, not easy,” I agreed. I wasn’t finding the need to lie - yet. We were walking a delicate line of disclosure, without revealing too much.

“Tight reins?” Another question that sounded more like a statement.

“Definitely,” I answered, still taking unfocused pictures of the green foliage mixed with hints of red and orange. “And you don’t have any reins.”