Heartbreakers

-3-

I sat there for a second in a bit of a daze, until Carter threw a glance over his shoulder. Instantly I looked down at my drink, letting my hair obscure my face from view. I needed time. I needed to think...

I gave Ava a quick excuse, grabbed my things and practically sprinted out the door. I was ten steps into the parking lot when I realized Ava was my ride, and another fifteen steps when she grabbed my arm and spun me around. Only it wasn't Ava.

Uh oh.

"Ummm...." I said hesitantly, completely awkward and unknowing of what to do in the situation. Carter let go and took a step back looking me up and down. He then clenched his insanely sharp jaw (like damn, you could grate cheese on that thing!) and resolved himself to speak.

"Why the hell are you here and why did you just run from me?" He was practically whisper yelling sending bad vibes in every direction.

I just stood there, and a wave of annoyance washed over me. Who the eff did he think he was coming at me like that?

"Um excuse me?" I said incredulously, "Is it a crime to be getting a cup of coffee with a friend?" He just sighed frustratedly.

"That's not what I meant and you know it. Why are you at this school? Why are you even in this town? And more importantly were you kissing Elias in the hallways by the trophy case?" He urged.

"That's none of your damn business. And why do you even care?" I stood there shocked at the blatant hostility radiating off of him.

"Because as far as anyone at Rutherford High School is concerned, I've been in France for the past two and a half years. And I don't need you jeopardizing that." He exclaimed rather forcefully and pulled me aside.

"Wait- so you weren't in France??" I asked incredulously.

"Yes and no- let's just..." he says looking around to see if anyone's watching,"I don't know, let's get out of here, this is gonna take awhile." He said grabbing me and pulling me to his car.

"Let go of me! Someone is feeling a little handsy today!" I said slapping at his fingers around my wrist. "Now anyways, just- I don't know, just drive me home, I left my ride in the coffee shop." We hopped in the car and after I gave him directions to my house I turned to talk.

"Now explain it all to me. So you haven't been in France the last few years?" I asked trying to adjust to the situation.

"Ugh, well no, not quite. I was but only for about six months. And when we moved back I begged my parents not to send me to that school. You see... I burned a quite few bridges before I left..." he said sheepishly while turning the steering wheel sharply to exit the parking lot. "I was just pretty sure I wouldn't receive a warm welcome if I came back."

"I'll say! Sabrina didn't show up to school for days! And you had completely disappeared too! For nearly two weeks I thought I might have been the last person to see you alive! Then Jason your best- or I guess ex-best friend, announced you moved to France... It came as quite a shock to everyone." I shook my head. I was so confused for the longest time about that kiss.

"Really? You thought I was dead?!" He said with a chuckle. I couldn't believe that this boy had the tenacity to laugh at me! After all he did!

"I was just confused! A boy who I had watched become mega-popular in school but had never spoken to, stands up to his girlfriend while she's taunting me in the halls, then drives me home- illegally I might add- and kisses me in his car! Without warning! And then disappears without a trace! That'll really screw with a girl's mind you know!" I huffed at his ignorance... Boys...