Double Crossed

Chapter 19~Aria

Drake seems to have a penchant for freaking me out. When he didn't answer his phone for days I again jumped to the logical conclusion that he was dead. It was all like déjà vu. Even the part when I found out he's totally fine and just sucks at checking his phone.

When I saw Drake at the bookstore I admit something didn't feel right. I didn't understand why he didn't just call me or go to school instead of searching the city for me. Plus Drake decided to continue ditching school. I had a feeling something happened that he wasn't telling me, but I chose to let it go.

But it looks like I talked some sense into Drake since he's answering all my messages within seconds. We still talk every night but he seems off. It's like he's off in another world, and he barely even teases me anymore. It's like Drake is turning back into his old self. He's probably just stressed about everything that's happened, but he wasn't like this the last time.

"Drake you still there?" I ask.

"Sorry what were you saying?" Drake questions.

I sigh. He's been doing that a lot. He'd just be silent on the other end. Every time I think the connection got cut off, but he's still there.

"It's nothing," I tell him. "How have you been lately?"

"Good I guess," he replies. "Just trying to lay low for a while and figure out this situation."

"Getting anywhere?" I ask.

"Yeah I think so," Drake says but doesn't elaborate.

"That's good."

"Everything's normal?" Drake asks like he does every time we talk. If he was here he would know, but I know he needs his space. I'm trying not to get annoyed but it's getting a little more difficult.

"Yeah nothing weird lately," I tell him.

"That's good."

None of us say anything for a couple seconds. "So I'm going back to school tomorrow."

I perk up a bit. I'll finally get to see Drake. It's been almost a week since I last saw him. "Good because you missed a lot in Gerard's class."

"Seriously?" Drake asks in a shocked tone.

I laugh. "No he's always late and he has a remarkable way of saying the same thing fifty times."

"Good to know our tax money is being spent on men like him," Drake jokes, but it sounds half hearted and a little forced. Hopefully he figures everything out soon so he'll be safe and not have to worry.

"I have to go do homework," I tell Drake. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay see you," Drake says though he doesn't sound as happy as I thought he would.

Even the next day when I finally see Drake at school he's in a pretty sullen mood. I'm sitting in Gerard's class talking with Elena when he finally walks in at his usual time, three minutes after eight.

Elena smiles slyly at me and nods at Drake who is walking to his desk. I roll my eyes but stand up anyway and head over to him.

"Hey you," I greet with a smile. "Long time no see."

The corners of Drake's mouth rise in a half smile as he wraps his arms around my lower back and kisses me. I lean back a bit in surprise at the forcefulness and passion in his kiss. It's almost desperate in a way.

"Hey you," he mutters quietly against my lips. "I missed you."

"Me too," I tell him in a whisper. That kiss was a little too much for me to handle this early. Let's just say it effectively woke me up.