The Bad Boy OR The Best Friend

fifty three

I made some really lame excuse for not showing up to meet the group yesterday at Evan's place. The last thing I want is to sit with everyone and pretend that my life hasn't turned a shitshow in the last few days.

But, the sad part is that I need to attend school until the holidays, which aren't for another two weeks. I was looking forward to spending them with these new people who have become such a huge part of my life but suddenly, the idea of holidays sounds horrible.

"An, before you leave hon, I wanted to tell you that things between your mother and I are alright. It's nothing for you to be worried about, okay?" My father says as I eat from my cereal bowl in absolute silence and then look up at him.

I nod, "Okay."

He sighs, "What's wrong, sweetheart? You have been awfully quiet ever since she came to visit."

How do I explain it to my father that it's not him or Cassandra that I am worried about. I know they'll be alright, I mean they are adults, they can handle their business but who the hell will handle my business when my boyfriend of three months just seems to have broken up with me and left me hanging to make a decision that I would never be ready to make.

"Do you think you can give me a ride to school?" I ask instead of responding and notice the frown hovering over his features.

"Yes, sure. Come on." He slides off the stool and puts his cereal bowl in the sink and I copy his actions before grabbing my backpack from the living room.

The ride goes down in silence, which is kind of weird because I always have something to talk about with Dad, even if the topics are non-existent or about the aliens which do not exist. I look out of the window after turning up the radio and see him looking my way at least five times for the fifteen minute ride to school.

When he parks outside school gates he turns to me completely, "An, why didn't you get a ride with Chris today?"

"We broke up." I say and unbuckle my seatbelt, getting out of the car before he can respond to me.

When I enter the school building, I don't even bother to go to my locker because I am not ready to face anyone yet. As soon as I reach the classroom, I stand outside and notice that only half of the room is full, with the students still coming in.

How bad is my luck that I have biology first period today? The class I share with Chris.

Internally groaning, I keep my head ducked down, not meeting anyone's eyes as I move to the row against the wall and take the second seat in front, aware that Chris would be in the last seat on the other corner of the room.

It's like I can physically feel his presence as he enters the class with Sam and Ryan. His eyes squint together due to whatever reason he's laughing right now as Ryan pats him on the back.

My heart physically hurts to see him like that, especially when he doesn't even bother to see if I am here or not. I gulp and avert my eyes away from him, taking a breath through my lips as I close my eyes momentarily.