Crash Course

Chapter 7

Life was beginning to settle down. After talking to mom and Andrew about Ethan and his threats, everything seemed to finally calm down. Liam and I hung out every day, while Luke tried his best to avoid me without seeming like a dick. Cheerleading was going well, and Kristy and Nate were working on opening a school newspaper. Everything was... normal. The week was coming to a close, and the opening game for lacrosse was that night. "Is the squad ready?" Nate asked from his perch behind the editor's desk in the new journalism room.

"Yeah, the routine is flawless." I replied, causally lounging back on a couch.

"The game is going to be front page of the first edition. Maybe Kris will get a good shot of you cheering for it!"

"Eh, I'm not one for pictures." I lied smoothly. I didn't need physical proof of where I was located. There was a gentle knock on the open door and I looked up to meet Liam's eyes.

"Thought I would find you here." He said with a light smile. Liam and Kristy were still at odds, as to be expected, but in the past week Nate and Liam had begun to communicate. They needed some work before they became best friends, but I appreciated the effort they were both putting in. "Ready for lunch?" I grabbed my backpack, kissed Nate's cheek, and followed Liam.

"Yes sir!" I replied. He entwined our fingers and we headed out of the room. "How was class?" I asked, mindlessly staring at the ground.

"Awe-inspiring." He joked.

"Bella!" Andrew called from the end of the hallway. Liam and I turned around to look at him. He was surrounded by the lacrosse boys, all except Luke, who's back I saw making a dash for the nearest exit. "Come here." I tried to pull Liam along with me but he stayed rooted in place.

"I'll be outside!" He said, with the most fake cheerful voice he could muster. I rolled my eyes and released his hand from my grip.

"I'll only be a few minutes." I said, heading towards Drew. All the lacrosse players looked at me with disappointment, while Andrew's face looked confused. I walked up to their circle and James flung his arm over my shoulder.

"So, are you and Liam-" Andrew started, I interrupted him.

"Dating? No. We've just been hanging out recently." I answered. The guys all slowly nodded and looked between each other, and I realized that I had been a topic of conversation. "Why?" I asked.

"The guys were just telling me a bit about him. You know, I've been doing my research like you asked." He began.

"You're a little late to the party on that one." I snapped.

"Yeah, I know. But this guy Bella, I don't know. Do you really trust him?" I was a little taken back by his question. I had began mentally preparing for Drew to tel me he was a bad guy, that I needed to stay away, but instead he was asking for my honest opinion.

"Drew, I think this is a conversation between me and you. No offense-" I said, looking at the other guys "but it's my business."

"Yeah, yeah. We all just want what's best for you." Andrew said.

"Which is Luke." James whispered in my ear. I strained my neck to look at him sideways.

"What?" Andrew asked, staring between us. "What did you say?" James just flashed Drew a knowing smile.

"On that note, I'm hungry. It was great as always chatting with you guys." I said, ducking out from under James' arm. "Maybe next time we can talk about the intimate details of my sex life!" 

"I'd like that." James said, the guys laughed, and Andrew punched James in the gut making him double over. I rolled my eyes.

"See you at warm ups!" I waved to the team and headed back the way I came.