The Middle - Volume Two ✔️

Chapter 9

Jamie

The Monday after the shambles of a night that was the Halloween Dance. And honestly? I'm feeling okay. A little numb, but okay.

Erin and Sarah took off for New York this morning after sleeping over at my place, which totally fucking sucked, but they need to get back to school. Jay was just as bummed as I was when we waved them off from my front porch earlier. I haven't talked to him about Erin yet, I wanna wait and see if he'll say anything to me about it himself. I know he will, he just needs time. I'll give it a couple days. Joel seemed pretty bummed when the girls left too, actually. Strange. He got along pretty well with Sarah though, and I guess he enjoyed catching up with Erin. We'll see them again soon, though.

I skipped English Lit class this morning. Of course I did. I don't wanna be in the same room as him right now, so I am not attending that class this week. He might read into it, if he even notices I'm not there. But I don't care. He can think whatever he wants. Fuck him.

So here I am, sitting in guitar class like a total geek because no one else is here yet. But whatever, this is obviously my favourite class, and I'm sure all of my classmates know that by now.

"Hey, Jamie." I look up from my phone to see John entering the classroom. I haven't replied to any of the texts he sent me on Saturday night. But I talked to Aubrey about everything, I know John knows what's going on.

"Hey, John. Sorry I didn't text you back..." I start as he sits down next to me, but he holds his hands up, cutting me off.

"We don't need to talk about anything that happened this weekend." He says, which I totally appreciate. "But, I did wanna let you know that Zach and Noah told me all about their stupid sharing game from High School. I told them what I think about it, and agreed to just leave it in the past where it belongs. So I am cool with them. And that's all I'll say on the matter."

I raise my eyebrows as John smiles at me. That was his way of letting me know that he is still friendly with Noah, which is fine. We don't need to talk about him, though. Which is great.

A few more people trickle into the classroom as John and I talk about him and Aubrey (they have another date lined up, and I'm so happy for them). I'm just telling John how cool it is that he and Aubrey seem to be the only stable relationship around here, when a familiar voice interrupts me.

"Hawkins, McDermott." I look up to see Shaun standing in front of our desk, smiling down at us neutrally. I didn't even notice him come in the classroom.

"Hey, Mr Campbell." John says with a friendly smile. Hearing one of my friends seriously refer to Shaun as Mr Campbell is...weird. I kinda like it, though.

"Sorry to interrupt, I just need to talk to John real quick." Shaun says to me, with absolutely no hint of I know what you look like naked now in his voice, thank god.

"Sure." I pull my phone out and pretend to ignore their conversation.

Shaun asks John something about an assignment he's doing in Drum class. I haven't talked to John about his Drum class much, because I'm honestly not that interested. I'd rather talk about guitar, same goes for John. He enjoys drumming, but I think he's struggling with it. I doubt he'll continue taking Drum after this semester is over.

"Awesome, well, I'll see you in class tomorrow then, McDermott." Shaun says, straightening himself up. Their conversation is done. "And I'll see you later today, Hawkins."

He winks at me before turning and walking out of the classroom. That dick.

"You haven't picked up Drum, have you?" John asks curiously.