Stronger than the Rest

Chapter 13 | Tattoo

"Just like a tattoo, I'll always have you." - Jordin Sparks

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A week or so has passed since the whole incident with Derek. We decided not to bring it up nor let it affect our friendship. So far, it hasn't. I usually eat lunch in the theatre room with Gabby and Caitie, or in the cafeteria with Derek, Nathan, and Landon who is usually not there. Even when he is, he pretends I'm not there. I've been going to the gym with either Derek or Joseph-- since I saw him in there again a few days ago. I've gotten used to this new town in North Carolina, though my heart still aches to be in Georgia. Megan sent me a photo of the new thespian troope from our high school and I could feel my heart breaking. 

But today, the crew for the musical meets to start the design for the set. Inevitably, I have to talk to Landon today. 

I shut the door to my car as I walk towards the school, it's the beginning of October but still hotter than Satan's armpit. I'm wearing a plain white v-neck with a mint green bralette completed with high-waisted shorts.  

I check the time on my phone to see how many minutes until the first bell, I see Jack's goofy grin stare at me from my lock screen and I smile to myself.

I feel a heavy arm draped over my shoulder, "Texting a guy?" I turn to see Joseph grinning down at me. 

I sigh dramatically as I stuff my phone in my back pocket, "Yeah, he's from a town over, seeing as the male species in New Bern is severely lacking in attractive men. The right side of Joseph's mouth pulls up into a smirk as he runs his hand through his hair, "My ego is too big to be offended by that. Especially when I know you're lying."

"In your dreams, Eldridge." As I elbow him in the stomach. 

"Definitely already in my dreams," he winks at me as he backs away. "I'll see you later, Rose." He turns around to head to the science wing of the locker while I go in search of my locker. Lucky for me, Landon isn't there. Not that it really matters, I still have to converse with him sometime today anyway. 

I switch my TOK book for my English since that's my first class of the day when I felt the presence of my locker buddy. He didn't make any indication that he was going to talk to me or that I was even there. The most exchange we've had in the past week is him laughing at me when I tripped going into the cafeteria. I felt compelled to set up the meeting with him now so I don't have to talk to him later. I shut my locker and lean my shoulder against the metal as I stare at his profile. He's switching his books out, purposefully avoiding my gaze.

I swift my weight impatiently, "Landon." I said.

He continued to stare at his locker.

Bastard.

I decided to try an enticing approach, I reach out to touch his foreman and murmur slightly, "Landon." I get a slight flinch from his arm and a little pink on his cheeks. Other than that, nada.

I let out a groan of frustration and decide to go full-on annoying. I jam my finger into the side of his cheek and yell, "LANDON!"

His grips my wrist and finally looks at me, "Are you done?" His green eyes the color of a dark forest and his expression cold. He doesn't scare me though, I stand up straight and look him back in the eye: standing on my tippy toes, of course.

I smirk at him, "No. Not really." He stares into my eyes for a few seconds-- grey to green. Until his eyes soften and he drops my wrist. 

"Contrary to your popular belief, but I actually wanted to ask you a question?"