Hooded Beauty

Chapter 15

Today was different from yesterday. I woke up early enough to take a shower and towel dry my hair. After wearing black trousers accompanied by a black hoodie with white stripes at the sleeves, I went downstairs and greeted my mom with a kiss on the cheek.

I never saw my dad around since he was one of those people who didn't like to eat as soon as they woke up. Although I did see him yesterday the moment Nick had dropped me off. I still remember my dad's poker face and the disapproving tone he used when he saw Nick race on his bike and out of his peripheral vision.

"You know better than to drive around with boys, Allison. Especially ones with motorcycles." He only says my full name during serious matters.

After wasting an extra ten minutes telling my dad Nick's full name and how I know and met him, he let me off the hook. I also remember Nick whistling in admiration as he layed eyes on our house, which made me wonder what kind of house he had lived in.

I quickly played out yesterday's events to my mom about the whole detention and gym thing - leaving out the parts with Alicia. I could do with one less worrying parent. Eventually she assured me she'd at least handle the gym clothes issue by giving the school a call. The excuse she's going to use? I have no idea. And neither did she, but she did say she'd come up with something while I was in school. I just hope it'll suffice.

After about ten minutes of breakfast, I heard the bus horn blare and raced out the house with one last kiss on the cheek to my mom. When I got on, however, something was missing. No, it was someone.

Jenna greeted me enthusiastically while Jeremy, same as always, lay alone on a bench using the extra space for his feet. He was also lightly snoring.

"Where's Sam?" I asked Jenna as I neared the seat beside her.

"I don't know, but it's weird of him not to be here. That guy is, like, never absent." She waved her hands in emphasis when she said 'never'.

"Which is why I'm worried. Think about visiting him after school?" I asked her.

"What?" Jenna gave me an odd look.

"What what?"

"Why would you do that?"

"Why wouldn't I? Wouldn't you be worried?"

"Of course I'd be worried! I just don't know why you'd go to extremes and visit him. A phone call would clear up the uneasiness."

"Except I don't have his number."

"Why are you so adamant on seeing him?"

"Because he's hott?"

"Ally."

"Because I'm hott?"

"Ally!" She scolded with a hint of amusement in her tone. "Seriously, what's up?"

"Promise to keep this between us?"

"Spill it already!" She grew impatient.

And I did spill it. I said everything. From Sam's bullying to our fight and then to Mr.Marcus' epiphany. She nodded with listening ears, letting out her occasional gasp every now and then. I left out any parts that had to do with me and Nick since I saw it as irrelevant.

"Oh my goodness." She breathed once I was done. I nodded in response. "Ally, do you have any idea what this means?"

"I think I just spent the last seven minutes telling you what it means" I tried raising an eyebrow, yet failed again. I'm pretty sure I looked silly doing that. These are the times when I'm thankful my hoodie shadows over my eyes, otherwise I'd be embarrassed.