A Murder Of Crows [boyxboy]

A Murder Of Crows {19}

                The next day, Kieran wasn't in class.

                Jamison eyed Kieran's empty seat, but said nothing as he made his way to the back of the room to take his own seat. He met my eyes and offered me a tired smile.

                I turned away from him, wondering where Kieran was. Surely he wouldn't be stupid enough to try to pull something off on his own right now.

                Mia didn't seem alarmed by his absence, so she probably knew where he was. Hopefully she'd tell us at lunch. I didn't like any unknown factors right now.

                Morning classes were slow and uneventful, but I managed to keep my focus enough to take good notes. By the time lunch came around, I was ready to crawl back into bed and sleep for a few days.

                Jamison came up to me as I gathered my stuff. The two of us left the classroom together, easily falling into step with each other. Why were these simple things so easy, but everything else was so complicated?

                "You never texted me last night. Normally I'd assume that's a good thing, but with you, it's hard to tell," he said. "You okay?"

                "Perfectly fine," I said. "I don't need a caretaker, you know."

                "I know. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to watch out for you," he said.

                I adjusted my sunglasses a little and didn't respond to that. It was so strange, to have someone that wanted to look after me like that.

                We reached the dining hall and Jamison caught my arm before I could head off to get my lunch. He slowly released my arm once I was looking at him.

                "You're always welcome to sit with us," he said.

                "I'll keep that in mind," I said.

                We parted to get our lunches, and I made my way to my usual table. Jamison might welcome me to their table, but I knew the other three Crows wouldn't trust me.

                "Where's Kieran?" I asked as I sat down with Val and Mia.

                "He signed off campus to go help his mom for the day. He'll be back by tonight," Mia said. She looked past me and her expression darkened.

                I didn't even have to turn around to know Jamison was coming this way. I mentally sighed, waiting to hear his voice.

                But neither he nor Cole said anything as they sat at our table. Mia glared across the table at them.

                "No one wants you here," she said.

                "I do!" Val said, raising her hand a little. "Cole and I are friends. I told him he could sit with us."

                Mia picked her tray up. "I'm not dealing with the president and his lapdog."

                "I think that was supposed to be an insult, but dogs are adorable so I'm not going to take it that way," Cole said.

                Mia ignored him and left the table. Jamison sighed and offered us an apologetic smile.

                "Guess we're not real popular around here," he said.

                "Cor and I don't mind the company," Val said.

                "Don't talk for me," I said.