Incomplete

Chapter 4, Lacey

"Do you want a bagel too?" my dad gives me a quick glance. I'm sitting at one of the café's tables drinking my morning coffee, trying not to spill any of it on my white t-shirt.

"No I'm fine," I answer taking a sip out of my cup.

"Are you nervous about school?" dad asks, his brown eyes searching mine for answers.

"Why would I be nervous?" I ask. "I've been going there for two years now."

"I know but every year is a new adventure. Besides I'm happy that you get to finish high school, unlike me."

Yeah, my dad never finished high school. He's from Italy and moved to California before he graduated. Long story.

"You know when I was in school..."

"Okay I have to go now dad, see you later!" I interrupt him and get up from my seat. I love my dad, but sometimes, when he's telling a story, he gets way too carried away and never stops talking.

~

Georgi and I arrive at school half an hour later after I pick her up with my dad's car. It's basically mine considering I use it so much.

"Everything looks as boring as ever," I state with a monotonous voice as we stand in front Northwood High. Some guys are throwing around a basketball and a group of girls are giggling about something on their phones.

"Boring? Oh don't be so negative Lacey. I bet there's a lot of drama," Georgi smirks.

"Hm sure," I mutter following her to the front doors.

I get a text on my phone as we walk into the school and pick it up to see what it says, when I suddenly bump into someone. My phone falls to the floor.

I look up to see none other than Liam. Annoyingly-hot-Liam. He has a disturbed look on his face.

"Watch where you're going," he says.

Gulping, I start to apologize but he just walks away.

"Okay Lacey, you're definitely over him," I tell myself.

"Please don't be broken," I whisper as I bend down to pick up my phone. Fortunately it's still as good as new. Lucky me, I have no idea if my dad could even afford a new one. We're not exactly poor, we just don't have a lot of extra money to spend (unlike a lot of other students in my school).

I catch up with Georgi who's almost at our lockers.

"Are you ok?" she asks me.

"Yeah just an awkward little incident," I grimace.

We meet Traci, Boston and Kimberly at the lockers. Boston has his arm around Traci and Kimberly is standing awkwardly beside them. I feel for her.

Traci gives Boston a playful kiss on his lips and ruffles his light brown hair. He walks over to his friend group still staring at her. It's almost disgusting how in love they are, but of course I'm happy for them.

"Georgi!" Traci shouts and runs to hug her. "Oh my god you have to tell me everything about Florida! The beaches, the sun, the boys!" she exclaims and winks at Georgi.

Georgi laughs. "I will, I will.".

"Hi Georgi," Kimberly says and gives her a warm hug.

"Hi Kim... Oh! Happy birthday!" she squeals.

Kimberly smiles at her, her face hiding behind her dark brown hair. "Thanks."

"Happy birthday, Kimberly. Are you going to celebrate it this year?" I ask her.

She shrugs and plays with her hair. "I don't think I will, I don't really feel like it."

"Are you sure? We could celebrate it together." Traci offers. Her birthday was a week ago and she's planning to throw a party for herself, like always.

"It's fine, really," Kimberly confirms us.

"I'm still buying you a gift," Georgi inquires seriously. I nod in agreement.

"Fine, but nothing too over the top," Kimberly says.

"Can't make any promises..." Georgi trails off with a mischievous smirk.

"Is anyone else excited about this year?" Traci says happily and swings her blonde locks.

Our answers are a mix of positive and negative remarks.

"Hey Traci we should go to class," I say. "Mr. Jenkins will be pissed at us if we're late again."

"Oh yeah. I don't need to start off this year by getting a detention." Her eyebrows furrow.

"We have geography, so we'll go this way," Georgi explains and points to the other direction than the one we're headed to.

"See you later."

"See ya!"

~

After too many boring hours we head to the school cafeteria. We meet Georgi and Kimberly at the entrance and together we enter through the doors. The noise in here is way to loud.

I look around. People are grouped together around tables and everyone is chatting with each other. My eyes are drawn to the senior guys' table. Why is every senior guy good-looking? I search for Liam amongst them, an old habit. I remind myself yet again that I should already stop thinking about him.

We all buy something to eat. Georgi grabs a salad and I buy a sandwich.

"Come on let's go sit somewhere," Traci says when we all have our food.

We walk around searching for an empty table.

"Lacey," Georgi says, "don't look, but I'm pretty sure some of the senior guys are staring at you!"

"What?" I question and just as I'm about to turn around I'm swept away by the crowd.

Georgi is probably wrong anyway. Why would they look at me?

~

Traci and I walk down the corridor on our way to our next class. She gets a few smiles here and there, and it's not so weird considering she has a lot of friends. It's partly because of Boston, but also because of her striking personality.

"Oh oh, diva warning," she whispers to me.

I look down the hall to see Rachel coming our way. She used to be Traci's friend, but then they had a massive fight. Rachel seems to be over it, but Traci is definitely not.

"Traci Morton! It's so good to see you! And hi Lucy!" she exclaims smiling at us both. I don't bother correcting her, she's not going to remember my name anyway.

"Hello Rachel," Traci says. She doesn't smile back. Her blue eyes are practically shooting daggers.

"How has your summer been? Mine's been awesome! I went to this pool party, and to a fantastic concert! And, oh, that necklace is beautiful! I have to borrow it sometime!"

"Really you want to borrow it?" Traci asks. "The last time you borrowed something, his name was Aaron, and he happened to be my boyfriend." she gives Rachel a fake smile and walks away. I bite my lip to keep myself from smiling and I quickly follow her.

"Haha that was amazing! Did you see her face!" I laugh.

"I know. I'm pretty proud over myself," she smiles at me.

"Maybe this year isn't going to be so bad after all," I say optimistically.