The Carter Project ✓

thirteen

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IT WASN'T THAT bad, actually.

While I did basically reject Carter's public display of affection, everything else was pretty much smooth sailing. After adjusting ourselves around the awkward tension I had created, we were finally able to talk about regular things. Normal things, like what was going on with Jack and Maddie Lane (he had successfully sealed the deal and they were talking after, probably becoming boyfriend and girlfriend). Or like the fact that our debate meet was creeping up and I wasn't entirely sure if our younger kids were ready yet. He told me how quickly his parents had gotten over the party meanwhile I was definitely still in the doghouse.

And after awhile of talking about insignificant things with Carter that made me feel like I was getting to know him in ways that didn't jump out at me in the moment, but instead weaved together the fabric of our lives at their frayed ends, Mrs. Stand decided it was time for her to come in again. She looked pretty pleased with herself and I could tell she had gotten a lot done in those thirty minutes of silence that she wouldn't have to take home and do later at night.

I felt like I had been cut off in the middle of a moment, one that left me unfulfilled and wanting more, but maybe it was for the best. Carter's face was blank as he watched her stroll in and I knew that whatever emotions were swirling beneath the mask he wore, there was no way that they would come up to the surface. I was just left with another mystery about the boy next-door and I wasn't entirely sure if it was one I needed to solve.

"Alright, show time's over," the teacher said with a dismissive wave of her hand, wanting us to get out of there. "I'll probably see some of you guys tomorrow, but if not, then make sure to check in with any of the deans that you were accounted for."

Mrs. Stand clearly couldn't be bothered and made a beeline for the door and the rest of the students instantly got up and began pushing their chairs in behind them before leaving, clearly ready to get out of there as fast as they could. I had began to do the same, leaving only Carter sitting down in his seat. He had taken out some his schoolbooks during detention to peruse them and get a head start on his homework for a second before deciding in his own words, "yeah, it's not getting done," and closing them.

Since I had missed the first half of debate and I knew Landon was back at school as well, my body wasn't physically ready to drag itself through anymore emotional turmoil. The less I saw of that boy the better, especially when I could practice my arguments at home. So I decided I would wait around with Carter so we could ride home together.

"You're just going to stand there," he said with a chuckle as he stuffed his books in his bag, making me wince at how sloppily he did so. Loose papers stuck out between pages and were crumpled and torn, folders were dogged at their spines to the point where they were barely hanging onto each other and were doomed to fall apart by the end of the day; it was an unorganized and hellish thing to look at. "These books aren't going to pack themselves."

"And clearly not going to organize themselves either," I remarked, still in disbelief at what I saw.

"That's also true," he said with his trademark grin. "If you're not going to help me, then what are you hovering around here for? Don't you have debate practice?"

I rolled my eyes, hating him for being a little detective. "Yeah, but I missed more than half of it, so I'm just going to practice by myself when we get home."