Just a Scratch

Chapter Twelve

Will didn't show up for school on Monday. I was lucky to have printed out our full project instead of trusting him to print out his part but I still felt a little duped. We worked so hard on that thing and he just wasn't going to show up? I chalked it up to the clash that occurred on Saturday. Did he think I was going to tell the school about his dyslexia? Did he think I was mad at him? Was he mad at me?

Those thoughts swirled around my head all day and I was actually worried about him. It was obvious he didn't have a good relationship with his sister but I didn't know how close he was to his parents. They weren't around on Saturday and the way Will and Sonya talked about his dyslexia gave me the feeling that his parents saw it as a weakness that needed to be hidden.

Damn. I gotta stop thinking about that punk. I told myself, but it didn't work. I just hoped he was okay.

-

"Oh my gooooood! It's so good to see you guys again!" Teresa ran over to Emilee and me to give us a hug. Emilee froze like a statue while I awkwardly reached around and hugged Alexa's cousin who we hadn't seen since last summer. Damn, that girl had a tight grip.

She took a step back to get a better look at us. "Wow! You guys haven't changed a bit!"

"Thanks?" I said, looking at Alexa for help. "Sooo, you got in early this morning?"

"Oh goodness no!" She flipped a bit of her warm brown hair over her shoulder as we walked to homeroom, "we got in last night and there was no way I was staying alone in the house with my mom and Tí­a. You guys are so much more exiting!" She laughed like we were all in on some joke and continued talking, "what's been up with you guys?"

I was worried we'd have to keep a conversation up with this outgoing girl but she talked enough for all four of us. We learned about where she was planning to go to college and how much fun she had in the Caribbean over the summer and then I stopped listening. I mean, she wasn't that horrible of a person. Just loud and talkative.

As we walked, I saw Will pass us and I nearly bumped into the kid in front of me. I really needed to talk to him to make sure we were on the same page about everything. Teresa seemed to catch a glimpse of him too cause she stopped as well. "Mmmm, who's that hot piece of ass?"

Okay, I take it back. She's a horrible person.

"That's Will Taylor," was the first thing Alexa had said in minutes, "and he has a girlfriend."

Emilee's gaze shot towards the ground and she looked a bit annoyed. The cousins sure as hell didn't catch it but I did.

"That can be changed," Teresa said smugly. He's got a girlfriend, woman! Stop!

"Ugh," Alexa pushed past us and entered the classroom.

Seeing Will seemed to cause Teresa to start talking about all the hot guys back in Mexico. She went on and on about this one guy (whose name I don't remember) and never had I been happier to hear the bell ring. "See you guys later!" She called out.

I stopped in the bathroom on my way to first period. After ehem, relieving myself, I left the stall and saw Will sitting on the sink counter with my books on his lap.

"JeSUs CHRIST!" I called out and almost fell back down on the toilet. "What the hell is with you and the girl's bathroom, you pervert." I did my best to compose myself and washed my hands while Will continued to sit on the completely unsanitary counter.

"We need to talk."

"Okay," I dried my hands off, "but why couldn't you have talked to me like a normal person?"

"Because I heard what that one girl with you said and I don't want to see her. Also I don't need Rosa to get the wrong opinion about us. She's been weird lately," he explained. I didn't really have a response to that. Did he want me to be a couples counselor for them or something?

"Yeah, cause catching me in the girl's bathroom totally can't be taken out of context." I crossed my arms at that stupid boy.

There was a beat and then he took a deep breath and started talking.

"I'm sorry about what happened on Saturday."

"You don't need to apologize. I totally understand wanting me to leave after what happened with your sister. It's not your fault."

"No," he took another deep breath, "I overheard your conversation with Sonya afterwards."

Shit. My face started to heat up and I felt my eyes trying to look anywhere except at Will.

"I know she's a bitch but I didn't realize how much of one," he continued, "it's like she sees people as things to be broken so that she can make herself feel better. I really hope you don't take it to heart." He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I also appreciate you standing up for me even though I've been rude to you."

"You're welcome. I would want someone to do the same thing for me." I shrugged and gave him a smile. As soon as I did, something changed in his face and mannerisms. He looked surprised, almost like he'd been transported to an alien world. He looked more surprised at himself than at me. I rolled my eyes, "geez, I know we're not friends but you don't have to look so shocked at us being civil."

"Er-uh-"

BANG BANG BANG

"HEY! SOMEONE IN THERE?!" A voice called from outside the locked bathroom door. Will and I stared at each other in fear.

He quietly hopped off the counter and shoved my books at me. He then leaned close to my face (too close for my comfort) and whispered, "don't say anything. We'll talk more at lunch." Will pushed me towards the door as he hid in one of the stalls.

This boy.

I walked over to the locked door and opened it for the girl who was waiting to pee. "What the hell," She complained.

I just shrugged, "must've closed by itself."

-