Unforgivable

Chapter 19

“Yeah, the transfer finally went through.”

“W-wow,” I breathed. I couldn’t believe he was here, at school with me. 

Booker’s gaze drifted from mine and onto Matt, whose height almost matched mine although he was in his wheelchair.

“Matthew,” Booker sighed, “how…how are you?”

Matt looked up to smirk and his brother. 

“Good besides, well, this.”

“I’ll stop by the house today, I think.”

“Mom doesn’t want you there.”

Booker’s smile turned into a frown as the words slid out of Matt’s mouth.

“I’ve changed, Matt, you know that.”

“I can tell,” he replied, “and I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, same,” Booker breathed, “I-”

My hands found a familiar spot on the handles of Matt’s wheelchair, and I raised my eyebrows at Booker before he opened his mouth to keep talking.

“T-the uh, the bell rang,” I added, pushing Matt forward an inch.

Austin slowly scoot his way behind Booker, flinching at his touch. I shot him a daring glance, making sure he didn’t lay a hand on either one of my friends. We pushed past the circle of girls and walked down the hallway, Matt sighing and bringing his fingers up to rub his temples.

I watched as Austin pushed Matt into one of the classrooms, and I weakly smiled at the boy who sat in a wheelchair. It’s easier to pick on people when they can’t get you back, his words echoed in my head. My train of thought was interrupted by a hand on my shoulder, and I looked back to see my old friend.

“Faith,” I breathed, observing her timid appearance, “hi.”

“I’m sorry, Rhea, I didn’t mean to blow up on you,” she mumbled, her eyes glued to the floor, “I misjudged Booker.”

“It’s okay,” I smiled and outstretched my arms to pull her in for a hug that was long anticipated.

“Are we cool?”

“Yeah, course.”

One by one, familiar faces nod and smile at my return. I didn’t know what to expect after being gone, especially because of the whole Matt thing. Faith takes the desk to the left of me, and we laughed as she eyeballs her old crush. 

I flipped through the old textbook and rolled my eyes at never ending lines about the French Revolution. 

“I seriously can’t believe that Booker goes here now,” I whispered, looking up from my book.

“Yeah, do you think he’ll cause trouble?”

“I mean, he’s literally already the most popular guy here.”

“Heard he already has plans to fuck half the school,” Faith laughed.

“I-I don’t know about that,” I began, my heart dropping in my chest.

“He’s already hit third base with a few cheerleaders.”

“What? It’s his first day.”

“You’re one of the last virgins on campus, Rhea, you better watch your back. I’m warning you now, if you get hurt later on, don’t come running back to me.’

“I thought we were cool, Faith.”

“We are, just don’t fuck your life up and try and get sympathy from me. Common sense, Rhea. Stay away from him.”