I dare you

Back To School - part one

I'm re uploading this chapter because I didn't like how I ended it, so I added more to the end. Btw, the next chapter should be the big one so stay tuned!
Or don't. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I barely sleep at all the night before. I kept thinking about the fact that I would have to get up early and have to finally meet Mark. Well I guess "have to" was kinda harsh, because I actually was kind of excited but at the same time the anxiety and butterflies in my stomach were tearing me apart.

I was a zombie as I started making coffee and getting dressed. The anxiety was still very much present but apparently not enough. Jack sat at the table with a mug of hot chocolate in once hand and a newspaper in the other. He looked so much like a dad that I couldn't help but laugh at him.

"Why are you reading a newspaper?" I leaned over his shoulder and followed his line of sight to wear he was reading. Something about a citywide cleanup that was hosted a couple days ago.

"Someone's got to." He said matter-of-factly, and if he wore glasses then he'd be pushing them up his nose and scratching a greying beard. "It's some interesting stuff."

"You stupid kids wouldn't understand." I mocked him in a grandpa voice, shaking an invisible cane.

"Well you wouldn't." He sounded serious but his mouth twitched up into a smile. How did he suddenly act older than I did?

~ ~ ~

I dropped Jack off at his school on the way to my own. Usually I would've made him take the bus because I didn't like dealing with those drop off lines where the moms hold up the line by not pulling up all the way and instead dropping their precious little snowflake off right in front of the door. Because GOD FORBID they walk a few extra feet. Yeah, I was pretty passionate about it. Thankfully Jack left the newspaper at home.

After I had parked outside the high school, I sat in the overheated, stale air for a few long minutes before getting out. I slung the mostly-empty backpack over one shoulder and locked the door, taking a few deep breaths before walking. I shouldn't have been so nervous, but I was. The chilled air did wonders.

I emptied the contents of my backpack onto the unorganized top shelf of notebooks and binders covered in doodles in my locker. Then I messaged him on Snapchat.

Me: hey
I'm at school

Then I closed my phone, stuck earbuds into my ears, and headed to my favorite nook of the library. I held my math books and notebooks against my chest, along with a new book I was reading. Fantasy action for once. I wished life was more like a novel.

On my way to the library I spotted Riley hanging around his groupies. I waved to him and smiled, walking over, but he turned away. The hand that I had raised fell against my side with a thud. The smile faded and I turned around to walk back to the library. The school wasn't quiet enough for me.

I could barely concentrate on my book because I kept checking my phone every two minutes for a message from Mark. For being so anxious previously, I was also really looking forward to meeting him.

Me: where are you?

I sent another message, but still no reply. Maybe he slept in by accident? It didn't seem like him though.

~ ~ ~

By lunch I had checked my phone any chance I could during class and hoped that the teacher wouldn't see and decide to take my phone. I hadn't had that happen yet, but I figured eventually it would and that would be a day I wouldn't soon forget.