Hidden Truths

Chapter 6 : I Have To Restrain Myself From Pulling Out Her Fake Blonde Hair

[^Paisley is played by the adorable Madelaine  from Riverdale lol]

Chapter 6: I Have To Retrain Myself From Pulling Out Her Fake Blonde Hair

This morning before we left for school, Mom and Michael left for Paris. There were a few paparazzi waiting for them outside the house. I'm sure there's some at the airport too. I was able to drive my new car to school and it drove so smoothly. I still can't get over it. Zoey was excited when I told her about it and made me promise to drive her around. Even Carmen was impressed when she saw it. My happiness quickly dissolves though when Mom texts me to remind me that she signed me up for the dance team last week. She wasn't able to get me in without an audition so I still have to go to tryouts. I roll my eyes and trudge to my next class which is Psych.

On my way to class, I grab my AP Psychology book from my locker. As I'm walking, I hear footsteps following closely behind me, but I ignore it until I hear, "Yo, Alex wait up!" I walk a bit faster because the only person who calls me Alex is Jackson Douglas, and I did not need to be any more annoyed than I already am this morning. Of course he catches up to me, his legs are much longer than mine so it only took him about two steps to reach me.

"I'll walk with you to class," He announces before taking my textbook and holding it in his arms. I quickly take it back. The last thing I need is to be caught around school with him. I try to walk faster, but he still manages to keep up with me without even trying.

"I'm perfectly capable of walking to class by myself and holding my own books, thanks" I huff. I wait for a response but it doesn't come. I look over at him to see him staring down at me with a slight smile on his face. "What?" I question after some time, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Is there something on face?

He shakes his head. "Nothing." He responds, a hint of a smile still on his lips. I feel the heat rising in my cheeks and I clutch my books tighter to my chest.

I send a quick glance at him and put my hair behind my ear. I almost bump into someone walking by me. "Sorry!" I yell behind my shoulder. He laughs at my discomfort and continues to walk alongside me in silence.

Finally, we get to class and I go to my assigned seat. Jackson silently takes his seat next to mine and I'm able to ignore him for majority of the class, until he taps my arm.

"So I hear your folks are out of town. And Halloween is right around the corner," I don't look at him but I still come up with a response.

"Yeah, so?" I say as I continue copying down the notes.

"So are Gray and Theo having one their legendary Halloween parties this weekend?" I pretend to be indifferent by shrugging my shoulders, but really my mind starts racing. Grayson has never told me about these "legendary parties". What's so great about their parties? Have they ever had any A-List celebrities at these parties? Thankfully my silence gets him to shut up for the rest of the period and I'm actually able to focus on my work. Surprisingly enough, Jackson does his work too. I didn't really think of Jackson as a "diligent student". I thought he'd be more of a jock who caught senioritis on the first day. I guess I was wrong. Maybe I judged him too early.

After school, I reluctantly get ready for tryouts in the locker room. Since I'm not officially part of the dance team yet, I had to bring my own change of clothes. I pull out a pair of leggings and a loose tank from my duffel bag. As I'm changing, I see Madison changing into her dance uniform from the corner of my eye. The dance uniforms are the school colors, blue and gold. The shorts are blue with gold on the brim and the top is short sleeve and gold. I turn my back to her so that she doesn't try and talk to me. Unfortunately, it doesn't work because I feel a tap on my shoulder and I slowly turn around.