Bad Timing

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I still don't know what to think about Sexy Cop letting me off the hook, so I figure it's best to just avoid him the next day. With all my confusion over Adam, I can't be wasting my energy trying to understand what all that meant.

When I get to school, I keep my head down, hoping I don't bump into anyone. I'm really not in the mood to talk. My head is still spinning from my encounter with Officer Carter yesterday and the way he smiled at me. Does he like me? I mean, why would he let me go if he didn't like me right? Ugh, I'm so frustrated.

As I make my way toward my locker, I feel a tug on my arm and I get pulled into the supply closet to my right. I just barely have time to recognize it's Adam before he pushes me against the wall and starts frantically kissing me.

For a moment I get lost in the kiss, relishing the familiar feeling, but it's not long before I come to my senses and remember who is kissing me. I open my eyes, and place my arms on Adam's chest, pushing away roughly.

"What the hell are you doing?," I ask. I try my best to look outraged, not wanting him to think I'm that easy.

Adam grins and raises his hands in surrender. "I'm just giving you what you wanted, baby. I knew you only dressed like that yesterday 'cause you wanted me to notice. Well it worked." He starts advancing toward me again.

"Um now is not the time to get cocky, Adam. I didn't dress like anything for you. And don't think a kiss will change anything," I snap. I move away from him until my back hits the closet door.

I see a flash of anger in Adam's eyes. "Stop being a fucking tease then!" he yells.

He starts to say something else, but I open the door and walk out. I can feel him coming up behind me, so I quicken my pace and run head first into Officer Carter's solid chest. I feel his arms grip my shoulders as he steadies me.

"You okay?," he asks. He has a soft look in his eyes which begins to harden when he sees Adam behind me.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just gotta get to class." I duck my head down and head to class as quickly as possible.

As I walk into homeroom, I see Ryan waving me over. I sit and take my seat next to him.

"So did you hear what happened to Jared?," he asks.

I completely forgot about Jared and his disappearance yesterday. "No, where is he?"

"Apparently, he left his locker open after he got the lighter for you," he gives me a pointed look, "and that hot cop found some drugs inside. He's suspended for 2 weeks."

I snort out loud. That guy really is a fucking idiot. "Not my problem." Suddenly I'm just so exhausted from all this petty high school drama. I can't wait to get out of here. "Oh yeah, Adam locked me in a closet and tried to make out with me," I tell Ryan.

"WHAT?" he whispers, as Ms. Taylor, our business teacher, starts a lesson. "What do you mean "tried"?"

I shrug. "I mean he kissed me, and I stopped it."

Ryan's eyes widen in disbelief. "Bullshit. Are you saying you didn't kiss him back, like at all?"

"Okay maybe I did, for a second. But I stopped before things got too heated. I'm still pissed at him remember?," I say.

"So what'd he do when you rejected him? Didn't he get mad?" he asks.

"Um yeah, I sort of ran away and bumped into Officer Carter." An embarrassed flush covers my cheeks at the memory.

"Skylar you're blushing! You totally like Sexy Cop." He grins at me as he uses my nickname for Officer Carter.

"I don't like him! I just think he's hot as fuck," I start giggling and so does Ryan.

"Skylar and Ryan! Care to share your joke with the class?" Ms. Taylor stops teaching and all eyes are on us.

Still laughing, I say, "Not really."

She raises her eyebrows at me, "Then I suggest you stop giggling and pay attention."

"It wouldn't be so hard if you weren't so damn boring," I mutter under my breath. Ryan nudges me in the arm and I hear the class quiet in a collective hush. Shit. Probably shouldn't have said that.

I see an embarrassed blush creep over Ms. Taylor's face. "Excuse me?" she sputters, "Get to the principal's office now."

Damn. It hasn't even been a full week of school yet and I'm already in trouble.

Looks like the year's starting off just right.

---------------------

Waiting in the lobby, it's not long before Principal Whitcomb ushers me into his office. Guess there aren't that many other kids getting busted for mouthing off to their teachers. Huh.

We both take a seat. I in the hard, uncomfortable seat provided for kids like me to feel, well, uncomfortable, and him in his big comfy desk chair.

He looks at me and sighs. Principal Whitcomb is a thin, scraggly man with a receding hairline. He's been principal for as long as I can remember and I like to think we're sort of friends now.

"I was hoping I wouldn't be seeing you in here anytime soon Skylar," he says. Well, I guess he doesn't agree with the whole "friend" thing. Rude.

"But I can't say I'm all that surprised, " he continues. "Your father asked me specifically to keep an eye on you to make sure you wouldn't get in to any more trouble this year. And I agree, which is why we must resort to extreme measures to keep you out of trouble."

I've sat through these lectures countless times before, so I've learned to tune him out. But what he says next catches my attention immediately.

"Skylar," he says, "in order to prevent your erratic behaviour from going too far, your father and I plan to nip this in the bud, so to speak. We've decided to assign one of the LAPD officers to be your escort for the majority of the year."

What? I'm utterly confused. "You mean like a babysitter?" I stammer.

Principal Whitcomb smiles patiently. "Skylar, I assure you, Officer Carter will only be there to help and make sure you're doing well at school. He will be driving you to and from school from now on, and you must notify him if you are leaving early."

Oh hell no. No way my babysitter is going to be him. This is completely fucked up.

"Look Jacob, um I mean Principal Whitcomb, this is all really unnecessary. I don't need some kind of chaperone. I swear I'll be good!" I plead.

This time I get a genuine smile. "I'm sure you'll be on your best behaviour Skylar. Officer Carter will just be there to make sure of that. And three months of good behaviour will ensure me of your changed attitude and we can call this whole thing off."

I can't even argue anymore I'm so stunned. "All this because Ms. Taylor's a puss-" he raises an eyebrow at me, "err a softie." A fucking softie that woman is.

"Now, Officer Carter will be here shortly to discuss details with you, so sit tight." Principal Whitcomb stands up, about to leave his office.

"W-where are you going?" I stutter. As much as I hate this whole situation, I'd feel better if Whitcomb stayed in the room. I can't trust myself to act normal in front of Sexy Cop.

"Oh I have a meeting. Don't worry, you two can use this office for as long as you need." With another smile, he heads out. Is it just me or did I imagine a wink?

I groan, very loudly. I'm going to have a nice long, very long, chat with my dad when I get home.