Wonderwall

Chapter 9

I stare into his dark brown eyes that are clouded with sadness. I part of me still gets butterflies when I look at him. "Why'd you say that to my mom?" I ask in a hushed tone. Jackson bites his lip as if he's thinking of a correct answer.

"You know it wasn't just your fault, I was there.. He was provoking you." I do admit Harry was trying to get a rise  out if him but it was 99% Jackson's fault.

"Because I wanted to make it up to you.." He exhales deeply. I want to ask him what he means when he says that but I guess by the look on my face he's figured it out himself. "I know how you feel about him.." Jackson looks up from the floor.

How does he know how I feel about Harry when I don't even know myself? My feelings towards Harry is the reason why all this has been happening, because it's got me so confused and frustrated. "You do?" I chuckle.

He nods his head slightly. "I see how you look at him.. It's the same way you used to look at me." The corners of his mouth pull into a small smile. "I'm sure your mom isn't fond of Harry.." He begins. "And I didn't want to ruin his chance even more by your mom thinking he did all of this." He clasps his hands together.

"You deserve to be happy, Audrey." Before I can even muster a 'thank you' I'm pulling Jackson into a tight hug. His familiar scent fills me with warmth and safety.

"Thank you, Jackson." I say into his shoulder. His hand runs up and down my back in a comforting way. My heart flutters when thinking about what he did for me.

I don't even know how I feel about Harry, and if what we are will go anywhere, but Jackson still did what he did.. And I'm grateful for it.

When we pull away I realize that I should get going. My mom will be waiting in the car.

Before I leave I give Jackson a peck on the cheek. "Thanks." I smile. I turn to the secretary "I'm leaving now.." I tell her. She scribbles something down on a clipboard before making me sign something.

As I wait for her to let me leave I can't help but let my eyes wander to the principles office. Harry's jaw is clenched in anger and his arms are crossed. The principles head is buried in his hands.

He quirks his head to the side, his green eyes blazing into mine. They're clouded with emotion. Anger? Exhaustion? He presses his lips into a hard line, I turn quickly, breaking our contact.

"You're free to leave now, Audrey." The secretary tells me. I race down the halls, out the front and into my moms car.

•••

I dig through the sale rack, Madison by my side and Michelle behind me.

Madison is still giggling from the story Michelle just finished telling her. Apparently some guy in her chemistry nearly burned his eyebrows off today because he kept his face over the burner.

But of coarse my mind is at other places right now. Too busy to laugh at her story. "Audrey?" Madison nudges my shoulder. "What's wrong?" She places her hand on my shoulder in a caring way.

"I'm just stressed, that's all." I tell her with a forced smile. She gives me a look a can't quite describe. It's as if she sees through my lame excuse.

"Is it about Harry?" She smiles. Michelle and I agreed that we had to tell Madison about what's going on because it wouldn't be fair if we kept it from her.

She was surprised to say the least. At first she just laughed and kept on slurping down her ice coffee. Then she noticed we weren't laughing along, and she believed the truth.

"Is it just me, or has senior year been the most hectic." I slump against a display table, my other bags clenched in my fists.

They both exchange glances before turning back to me with tired smiles. "I think we have different definitions of hectic.." Michelle lightly chuckles. I furrow my brow and push myself away from the display table, following them out the store.