Bitten

Chapter Nine: A Place In My Mind.

As fall begins to escalade into winter in the early weeks of November, I find myself thinking less and less of my parents and all of the bad things that have happened over the year. Well, except for the occasional nightmare. The pieces are still coming together but I am remembering more and more. I am trying my best to focusing on all of the positives.

Andrew and I have been hanging out a lot, only as friends but I can feel our friendship advancing in the direction of more than that.

He isn't at all what I had expected at first glance. He can be a bit hostile at school, but when we are together or even with his friends he is sweet, compassionate and overall a really happy person, which is exactly the kind of influence I need in my life right now. He puts a genuine smile on my face.

He is a bit of a stoner, but I don't mind. He doesn't ever pressure me into anything and neither do his friends, or should I say "band mates" he and his friends formed an alternative band called "Nullspace."

Apparently it has something to do with math and the matrix of nonexistence or something like that? Andrew has tried to explain it but I honestly can't keep up. He is incredibly intelligent. So much so that I wonder how he is even taking the same classes as me. I would have thought he'd be ahead of his class by now.

The sound of the 7th period, final bell is music to my ears. Today is the last day of school for the next two weeks of Fall Break.

I gather my things and walk out of the class. Pulling out my phone, I check my notifications and see I have a text from Drew.

"Hey beautiful, meet me by the North doors. Remember I said I had a surprise for you."

I smile and blush at the word beautiful. I had almost forgot he told me to be free today but wouldn't tell me why.

I make a stop in the bathroom, to fix my hair and make sure my mascara hasn't smudged throughout the day.

After I fix my hair I can't help but chuckle at myself. Wow I am totally trying so hard for a guy...

I shake my head. Ugh what is wrong with me.

Walking out of the bathroom to the north doors, I spot Drew's silhouette leaning with his shoulder against the wall.

He's not on his phone or anything, just standing, watching everyone exit to the parking lot as he waits for me.

I make my way over to him and walk up behind him quietly.

"Hey," I whisper in his ear.

He turns quickly and smiles.

"Hey! Ready to go?" He asks.

"Hm, only if you tell me where we are going," I say, lifting up my arms to shrug.

"Nope. It's a surprise. Now come on!" He laughs, grabbing my hand and pulling me out into the parking lot.

We get into his red 1975 mustang. He loves his car but it kinda gives me a bit of anxiety. He is saving up and working on it as he gets money for parts but right now, it stalls when you stop at a red light. Luckily it starts right back up but it still puts me on edge, although I dare not show it in front of him.

He turns up About a Girl by Nirvana, looking at me out of the corner of his eye. There are only a few bands/artists we both love in common and Nirvana is one of them. Drew listens to a lot of really unknown music so it's hard to know about any of the music he listens to.

"So how was your day?" He asks. I roll my eyes to look at him. I don't know why he even bothers to ask.

"Well it's about to get a whole lot better... hopefully." He kinda whispers the hopefully.