The Boy 3 Doors Down

Chapter Twelve: M.A.C's "Snob" - UNEDITED

Monday wasn't any better than the weekend: I woke up from my routine sleep paralysis--still hasn't gotten any better--with my wrist throbbing from sleeping the wrong way, took pills for that. Then, school rolled around, and I was dreading it. After the laundry room escapade with Austin, I stayed in my room with the girls until they left, and then Austin came up and said he was leaving and that my mom would be home soon. I asked about his dad but he just said he'll be fine, I felt kind of bad for letting him go home alone, but what was I going to do? My mom was not about to let him spend the night. So I said good night and slept until I woke up at 4 am, screaming in terror from my hallucinations, I hated them, ever since eighth grade.

Now I was walking through the halls trying to balance the coffee cup in my bad hand, Pre-Cal book in my armpit, keys and Ashley's flat iron in the other hand and a bookbag on my shoulder, all while trying to avoid Austin and Chase. I didn't want to see Austin because it would just bring back up the feelings that had risen in the laundry room, and Chase, yeah well, it's obvious.

I finally got to my locker safe and sound, nothing dropped and testosterone avoided, I put in the combination and shoved everything inside, taking my chemistry book and Ashley's flat-iron. She left it at my house Friday and forgot to get it back from me Saturday, so she reminded me yesterday to bring it to her today. She was having a heart attack, you don't understand, this thing is her life. Her hair is naturally curly and frizzy, and she hates it, so not being able to do her hair for two days straight is like taking her off of life support for two days.

I shut my locker and turned around to get to first period before the late bell, but of course someone got in my way: what else is new?

"I'm trying to get to class Austin." I looked him dead in the eye, trying to hold up my unfazed facade. I stepped to the right, and he surprisingly let me through, but fell in step beside me.

"What do you want?" I asked, keeping my gaze facing forward.

"Why do you have a flat-iron?" Was all he said. His tone was rather leveled; it wasn't laced with confusion, or wonder, like he just asked the question to avoid mine.

I side glanced at him and kept walking, ignoring his question just like he ignored mine. Two can play that game.

It grew silent between us, besides the low roar of teenage voices, my own thoughts were all I could hear: What the hell does he want?! This is way too awkward. I need to bolt. Why won't he just leave me alone?!

I made a sharp right into the social studies wing, and he followed, without a word. It was then that I remembered we have the same first period, I halted and turned to face him. He stopped too. It was the first time I got a good look at him this morning; he was wearing a plaid button down but unbuttoned to show the white tee he had underneath, dark jeans, black boots, and a black leather jacket. I knew I should've just kept ignoring him.

He looked extra tired and I just wanted to ask him what was wrong, but then I would never get an answer as to why he is walking with me. He is in desperate need of a haircut. My eyes wandered to his hair, his dark brown waves which were now combed back and little curls were touching his ears. Yeah he does need a haircut. But I would give anything to run my hands through those waves.

"What do you want?" I shut my thoughts up and focused on the topic.

"Just trying to get to class Brown." He lifted the corners of his mouth, but I could still see the weariness in his eyes.

"Didn't get much sleep last night?" I asked despite my question.

"You could say that." He shoved his hands into his front pockets; he was hiding something. But I frankly didn't care too much, I was tired myself from having to clean the entire house, an accessory to my punishment.