Promises

Chapter 8

It's Monday again. I walk down the halls of this school with my head down like I always have. I don't look up. I don't make eye contact. It's too... dangerous. I don't want to do anything I'm going to regret.

"Laurel!" I know it's her voice, Sierra. I don't look up anyway.

"Laurel, hey." She stops right in front of me. I look up at her to see her smiling.

"Hi," I break eye contact.

"What's wrong?" She asks. Her expression changes from happy to angry. "Oh no. I got you in trouble. Great just freaking great!"

I sigh. "It's not a big deal, trust me. I just can't do that again." I give her a weak smile, which I'm sure to her looks pathetic. "I gotta go." And then I walk away. Just like I always have. I always walk away from opportunities.

***

I sit down in the same seat I always do for last period, English. I take out my book and finish my homework. I've never had to do that, cram on homework or tests. I was out of it after my little talk with my mom on Saturday, that on Sunday I just looked at the ceiling all day.

I had been too caught up in my own world that I didn't notice that someone had taken a seat next to me. Jace. I stare at him for a moment, then he notices and gives me that 'Are you possessed' look.

"I'm sorry, I usually sit alone." I look back to focus on my notes.

He laughs. "Well, if you'd like to be alone I can go."

"Uh. No. I mean, sure." I look back at him and sigh. "It's whatever."

"So I see you have'nt finished your homework." He rasies his eyebrows.

I look down at my dumb homework, dissapointed. "Yeah."

"So, do you think you could help me with something after school?" He asks.

I don't feel like it's a good idea.

Of course it's not a good idea! I ask anyway, "With what?"

"Well, I have a project due in a week in AP history. I have to pick a historical book, read it, and write a five thousand word essay on it." He rolls his eyes. AP history, eh?

I raise my eyebrows. "I don't see what you need help with."

"Picking a dumb book on old people." He says.

I grin. "Well, history is actually fun. Or at least good to learn."

"Why is that?" He asks, giving me a sarcastic look.

I roll my eyes at him. "You know what they say about those who don't know history," I look at him. "They're bound to repeat it." I finish.

"Hmm. Is that so?"

"Yeah. Anyways, about the dumb book. I think I have a few in mind that might work." I tell him.

"Oh, the book has to be at least five hundred pages long."

"Ugh. Alright. How about we go to the book store after school then?" I ask.

"Alright." He grins at me. I look back down at my still unfinished homework. I sigh. I'm going to be in so much trouble. I look over at Jace who is now focused on his homework. He notices me staring again, and smiles at me. And I, for once in my life, tell myself: Maybe trouble isn't so bad.

I smile back.