Some Things You Can't Control

11: I'll Stab You With My Pencil

Chapter 11

I'll Stab You With My Pencil

- EDEN GARCIA -

Instead of Lewis and I having to say anything, my friends guess there's something going on the next morning after he greets me at my locker with a hug. Something even I didn't expect.

"I just can't get over it," Mickie is gushing, still, two periods later. "Its about time- and you guys are adorable!"

"Mickie," I say in a low voice, "I will stab you with my pencil if you don't shut up."

"Eden, be real- you need me. Who else is going to help you with math?"

I sink down into my chair, frowning at the complicated calculus problems set on the table before me. Maybe I can go the rest of the lesson just pretending to do something? Our teacher won't notice- all she does is sit on her laptop anyway. So much for a 'supportive learning environment'.

"Touché," I grumble.

"How's Jake?" She asks quietly, both her tone and expression serious now.

"I haven't seen him today. I don't even know if he's at school."

"He tries to act like shit doesn't bother him- but yesterday in the cafeteria definitely would have bothered him."

"I know." It bothered me, too.

"Cassidy just- ugh! Why can't she leave us alone?"

My eyes glance to the blonde sitting at the front of the class. She sits beside Autumn, looking as dumbfounded by her work as I no doubt do. Autumn and Mickie were always the mathematicians in our group.

I sigh, eyes then glancing to the clock. "Five minutes to go."

And as though hearing what I said, the teacher speaks up. "Alright, there's five minutes until the end of the lesson. I want you to have finished that set of question by then, or else you'll be spending your lunch in this classroom."

"Oh shit." The page in front of me is still half blank. The phone on the table in front of me buzzes.

Brody: We're hanging out at the tree out the front of school at lunch if you guys want to join.

Me: We'll see you then.

Me: Is Jake okay?

Brody: He's pissed.

"Eden Garcia. No phone's in class."

Damn it. "Sorry, miss," I mumble, shoving it into my pocket.

"After-school detention."

"I would love to attend," I drawl.

<><><>

"Hey, why the long face?" Em bumps her shoulder with mine as I swap my books over at my locker.

"Just tired," I say off-handedly.

"Edes, I know you better than that. Shouldn't you be buzzing with energy or some shit because of Lewis?"

"I don't know- should I be?"

She's silent, her eyes roving the side of my face as I zip up my bag and begin to push my books back so I can close my locker.

"Do you actually like him?"

"Yeah."

"I mean, truly?"

"What are you getting at?"

"... Maybe you don't like him as much as you've always thought? Maybe... Lewis was the safe option."