wrong house

10. hair curling.

Sarah never covered her bruise up with make up. She didn't want to and it didn't take long for people to notice it at school. It was going to be there for at least two weeks anyway, so eventually someone would see it and spread the word. Again, the biggest shock was the fact that she was the one wearing the bruise, just like it was shocking that she hit Oscar that day in the cafeteria. Fortunately, people respected Sarah enough not to pry.

"Miss Vazquez, can you stay for a few minutes?" Mr Harrison asked as he ended their history lesson. She walked up to him and hugged her books against her chest. "I know it's none of my business but did a student do that to you?"

"I'm fine. Yeah, it was a student but it didn't happen on school property." She answered quietly.

"I care a lot about my students, Sarah. You sure you're okay?"

"Yes. Look, I don't want to make this into a big deal. I couldn't care less about the person who did it and I hit him back, so he knows not to mess with me." She reassured and started walking to the door.

"If it happens again, please tell us so we can deal with him." Mr Harrison asked and she nodded before leaving the classroom.

Sarah opened her locker and put her things in it. Her locker neighboor joined her and glanced her way a few times. She smiled weakly to herself, closed her locker and turned to gaze at him with her arms folded.

"Ask away, Michael." She laughed softly and rested her head against the cold locker. Michael licked his lips and hesitated for a moment. Michael was a guy the same age as her with dark skin and a handsome face. He's had his locker next to her for years and they knew each other pretty well. Not intentionally but when you have the locker next to someone, you overhear a lot of conversations and sometimes engage in them. Sarah had lost count on how many things Arya had spillt while Michael was innocently gathering his things.

"What happened? Who would even do that to you? You're the sweetest person I've ever met." He asked and slid his hands down his pockets.

"My, uh, ex got a little too jealous. He's an ass." She explained vaguely and watched his face twist in annoyance.

"A giant's ass."

"Yeah." She chuckled and pulled her fingers through her hair. "I just really want to forget about it."

"Well, if you ask me, I think the bruise looks badass. Given that you hit back, right?" He said carefully, hoping she wouldn't take it the wrong way.

"Hell yeah, I hit him back. Twice as hard." She held up two fingers and smiled as he nodded proudly.

"Then it looks badass." He bit his bottom lip and seemed to contemplate something for a few seconds. "Can I ask you something else?"

"You just did." She smirked and then grinned sweetly when he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, of course you can."

"Are you and Gabriel dating?"

"What?" She frowned and straightened her back.

"You two have been hanging out a lot lately so I just wanna know before I ask you out." He blurted out.

"You wanna ask me out?" She smiled and fiddled with her finger nails.

"Are you kidding? I've been gathering up my courage for so long to ask you out. No one dares to ask you out because you don't seem like the dating type. But yeah, I wanna ask you out. Next friday?" He rambled and then pursed his lips while she decided.

She and Gabriel weren't dating. So technically, she could agree. Yet it felt like cheating for some reason. And was she even ready to date again after Oscar? She knew that not every guy was like him of course but the thought of putting herself out there again and officially date someone scared her.