Running (old story)

Chapter 4

The next day much to Lily's surprise she found Beth, Skye, and Ron waiting by her locker as she got to school. In all honesty she hadn't been sure wether any of them would talk to her again or if she had actually only dreamt yesterday. But seeing them standing there helped quell the anxious thoughts bubbling in the back of her head.

"There you are! We were starting to wonder if you'd gotten lost and forgotten where your locker was." Beth said finally noticing Lily approach.

A small smile made its way to Lily's face as she approached her locker. "Luckily yesterday you gave me good enough directions to find it again, although I did almost take a wrong turn at the couple making out next to they boys bathroom."

"Ah yes Mark and Joy. They've been a landmark for almost three years now I think," Ron drawled clearly not completely awake yet.

Rolling their eyes but being unable to hold back their chuckles Beth and Skye turned back to Lily. "So what class do you have first new girl?" Skye inquired.

Lily opened her mouth to answer as she put her bag in her locker but Beth beat her to it.

"She's got pre-cal with me."

" Aww you're so lucky! I wish I had pre-cal with you guys, I swear Ron could teach math better than my teacher," Skye whined. That managed to finally catch Ron's attention, "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Ron pouted.

Skye just laughed as she rested her hand on his shoulder consoling him. "Come on Ron we all know you're smart but you have to admit that math is not your best subject."

Just as Ron was about to defend himself the bell rang overhead leaving Ron standing there open mouthed as Skye skipped away yelling that she'd see them at lunch and Beth dragging Lily down the hallway towards class.

* * *

Once again class passed by too fast for Lily's liking leaving her confused and with a headache once again. Lost in her thoughts and worries about how she would be able to handle school Lily didn't notice that she had made it to the cafeteria until she felt an arm sling itself over her shoulder. She froze as her breathing stilled and vision started to fade at the edges. The arm vanished from her shoulders and the world started coming back into view. In front of her sat Skye, Finn, and Noah. Skye and Finn watched her with confused expressions causing a blush to start working it's way onto her face. Although it was Noah's eyes that effected her the most. They were hard as always but they also held concern as they moved between her face and the person beside her.

"Hey, you ok Lily?" Brett asked from next to her snapping her out of her daze. She jumped slightly but quickly managed to to piece together that it was Brett whose arm had been around her shoulder.

Gently shaking her head and forcing a smile she responded, "Oh yeah I'm fine you just startled me." She sat down diverting her eyes from everyone at the table hoping that the moment would just be brushed over.

Much to her luck only took a moment for Beth and Ron to set their platers down laughing about something effectively diverting the attention away from Lily.

"I can't believe that he actually said they to Mrs. Janson!" Beth nearly screeched setting down her lunch tray.

"Oh you best believe it! He got a weeks detention for that one line."

"Wait who got detention for saying what?" Skye inquired her interest now firmly transferred.

Ron turned to her giving her a cheeky grin. "Well today in English Mrs. Janson happened to overhear Charlie Stanton tell a friend that with how uptight she is it's no wonder her husband left her."

"No way!" Skye gasped.

"Oh yeah," Ron continued, "He didn't end there even. When Mrs. Janson called him out he doubled down too, saying that he didn't blame her husband."

"Wow that was too harsh." Skye said sympathetically.

Pretty quickly the table was in a full blown debate over wether Charlie's comments deserved the weeks detention or not and it seemed Lily's awkward moment was forgotten.

Since Lily nether knew Charlie or Mrs. Janson she decided to just listen. Throughout lunch though she couldn't help but notice how often it seemed Noah's eyes fell on he. She tried to ignore it but the intensity they held always caused her to look away flushed.

Once again, much to Lily's distaste, lunch seemed to pass by all to quickly. Honestly she was starting to get the impression that there was never enough time in the day.

After classes ended for the day Lily found the full group of her new friends waiting by her locker chatting.

"Hey Lily," Skye called, "I meant to ask you this at lunch but it completely slipped my mind. We're doing a movie marathon at my place tomorrow night and we were wondering if you'd like to join?"

"We've already decided on the Lord of the Rings trilogy so you know it's going to be good."Brett said gently nudging her with his shoulder.

"Uh, I don't know I don't want to intrude, I also work pretty late that evening too." Lily said hesitantly.

"Aw come on Lily you won't be intruding we want you to come!" Beth jumped in.

Before Lily could speak again much to her surprise Finn spoke up shooting Lily a cold glance. "Don't be such a bother Beth, if she doesn't want to hangout with us you don't have to force her."

Lily was very taken aback by Finns comment so quickly turned back to Beth. "Oh no it's not that. Not that at all. I really enjoy hanging out with you all so I'd love to join."

"It's decided then, if you give me your number I can text you my address and the time to come over," Skye said handing Lily her phone.

As she saved herself as a contact in Skye's phone Lily couldn't stop the smile that worked it's way to her face or the joy she felt running through her. She had actually made friends and was going to hangout with them, something she hasn't done for years or really ever thought she'd be able to do again.