Chapter 27: Counting Down

323 26 14
                                        

Chapter 27: Counting Down

I never actually got notified about what happened regarding to Linda. I mean, I didn’t see her for a while then she reappeared again randomly one day. Her expression was completely differently and she was a lot softer than I had ever known her to be. She didn’t call out in class, she didn’t send me death glares and I found that perfect.

Especially since all I had left until the weekend was ten minutes of PSHE (Personal Study of Health and Education). That lesson was basically just the teacher summing up to the class the obviouses of life such as; “Use a condom” and “Do well at school so you don’t end up working at McDonalds”. It was common sense for the majority of us and some people did not even bother listening to the advice given anyway.

My eyes were stuck between Diana and the clock. They kept flicking especially since the minutes were counting down too slowly for my liking and Pete was busy flirting away for her subtly. Words danced on my tongue that I desperately needed to force out but I knew I couldn’t. I really wanted to ask her about her relationship status with Pete, who was actually sitting inbetween us, but I hadn’t found the chance to ask her yet.

I licked my lips to remoisten them. Every second boomed in my brain and I wished that the bell just rang so that I could ask her. I needed to interrogate her today. Now. I wanted to feel involved in her life like she was with mine.

Yet again, I examined the two. It was obvious that his leg was touching hers as there were goose bumps prickling along with the hairs on her arms. I doubted that he was paying much attention to anything else, even me, because he was too distracted over their skin to skin contact. A crooked smile played on his thin lips and I flicked my head back to the front of our class to see a boring diagram about something I didn’t care about.

How was I going to ask her though? I chewed on the inside of my cheek. I didn't want to seem so forward with it... I wanted to ask her more casually like she would've with me so that it wouldn't be awkward.

The red hand on the clock whizzed around the clock in a circle yet again and soak was starting to soak up my skin. The only time I would be able to quiz her about it was when we walked home from school today, seeing as the weekend was approaching and my phone was still broken anyway. Plus, it probably would’ve been better in person.

Everyone stood up, swinging their bags over their shoulders carelessly. Pete slapped Diana’s butt as he tucked his chair away, which caused her to redden in the face. For the sake of all three of us, I pretended that I didn’t see it and picked at the corners of my nails.

What was I going to say?

The bell shrieked and the class stampeded out of the room. Being at the back we were the last out so once the crowd was clear, Jessica was already waiting for us on the other side. She twirled a lock of her blonde hair and waved at us.

“I am really sorry guys but I can’t walk home with you today,” she dropped her hand to her side with a faint smile, “I have to practise for my dance show so I’ll see you guys, Monday?” 

It was as if fate was demanding me to ask Diana about it. 

She glanced up at the ceiling then at Jessica, “That’s okay, I’ll watch one of your performances.” I just nodded, desperately trying to form coherent sentences in my head. 

Then, Jessica cleared off and went to the bottom floor of the school while Diana and I set off for our route home. But I almost stumbled as we neared the gate. I placed my hand over where Linda had strangled me and gulped, hoping that something would happen that would make it normal to ask. At least I was glad that my neck had healed almost completely, with only a rough layer left that would fade away in its own time.

We past the gates, finally ready to take my risk. I breathed in deeply, opening my mouth when she stopped in her tracks. Her honey coloured eyes (in the sun) widened and she gasped, obviously staring at something across the road. Quickly, I turned to see what she was looking at.

It was Joey. Fucking. Joey. Who. Was. Dating. Linda. 

His hair sloppily rested over his eyes and he wore a plain white shirt with black suit trousers and a blazer to match it. Chances were, it was probably his school uniform. Judging by the expression on his face, I conveyed that he had been waiting for a while now and was starting to get tired of it.

I panicked, flattening my hair, ready to dart back into the school. Shit not today.

Diana chuckled but her laugh was uneasy compared to how it normally was, “Chillax.” If chill pills existed, I’d be downing them right now.

The very pair of eyes that I refused to look at any more stared at me. Diana waved at him but he didn’t take any notice of the gesture. Instead, he ran across the road, cars beeping as their breaks screeched.

“Get me away from here!” I pleaded in a harsh whisper. Joey was the past and just the past. I wanted to think about the future from now on and seeing him would just reverse the cycle. I knew it. However, her grip on my arm tightened so that I could not move so I felt like exploding into poop.

Why was she doing this?

His presence affected me more and more the nearer and nearer he got. Instead of staring at him directly in the eyes, I blankly glared at his chin, which had slight stubble sprinkled over it.

Keep cool, Florence. Keep cool.

________________________________________

I wasn't actually going to update today because I have like loads of weird stuff on my mind but I decided that I couldn't break the pattern so I did, lmfao. Besides, today is this story's sixth month birthday. Yeah, I published this on November 3rd (2013).

Joey is back everyone and Mason is doing whatever-he-might-be. What does Joey want though? Is Diana dating Pete or are they just friends with benefits? Was I too cruel to leave this chapter on such a cliff hanger? xD

Please vomment (vote+comment) Hello to all my new readers too. ;D

Now I have to go prepare for my German Speaking Assessment. AND I KNOW I WILL FAIL BECAUSE I AM LAZY AND I JUST CAN'T SO I MIGHT JUST GIVE UP STRAIGHT AWAY. #KILLMENOWPLS

Runaway ManWhere stories live. Discover now