The Hooded Girl (on hold)

||Chapter 19||

Cecelia

The following week wasn't as hectic as I expected . We continued to pass each other  in the halls as strangers and wave from a distance in the lunch line. Everything that happened at that sleepover felt like a dream, everything and I mean EVERYTHING was ignored Tess and Ash were both missing from lunch while Mar and Xav were laughing in a far corner table. I didn't mean to judge them but, I couldn't help myself.

Just as I'm packing away my things to head to next period a tray drops on to our table followed by the shuffling of seats. Everyone's head darted to see who had the confidence to sit here. I almost let out a sigh of disappointment when I see Tate slumped over the table. Don't get me wrong I was surprised he was sitting here but, I was disappointed seeing as everyone saw it as normal that he sat here. I was hoping some 12th grader or 'outsider' was defying the status quo.

He smiles at me but, I remain unfazed. I turn my head back to my bag. I zip it up and sling it over my shoulder. There was no point in entertaining the thought we could be friends.

As I'm walking down the hall I hear fast footsteps approaching I try my hardest to stop my eyes from rolling back. Im surprised when I turn to see Cole's bright smile standing in front of me followed by short term panting. "Hey lia haven't seen you in a while" he says still catching his breath "How far did you run?" I ask considering he was still panting as we walked "From the back of the cafeteria I was sorta avoiding Audrey" he says moving his hair from the front of his face "Oh why?" I ask as we turn the corner towards our bio class "She's been annoying me about coming to her party seeing as I've never attended anyone them and she seems to have taken it personal" I smile not surprised he didn't want to go. I liked Cole he was effortlessly popular and didn't hate or love the attention he received.

"She's having a party?" I ask seeing as I was as per usual not invited "Yeah at her family home over the bay" he replies as we enter our class. We don't bother talking about the party anymore instead we focus on talking about camp which was in about 4 weeks.

"So you still going?" He asks flipping open his book "What do you mean am I still going WE are going" I say smiling at him "Oh righhhht" he says laughing "How's Jamie been?" I ask seeing as I haven't talked to him in a few weeks "He's been good he made the varsity football team even though he's  never really played before" he says shrugging his shoulder "Of course he did" I say laughing at how amazing Jamie was "What isn't he good at" I as rhetorically "Tell me about it" Cole says drifting off as Tate walks in the room.

My eyes follow him as he eats the rest of his apple before tossing it in the bin landing it perfectly I quickly avert my gaze before he catches me staring. He nonchalantly walks past our desks not giving Cole and I a second thought before slumping in his seat towards the back next to Isaac.

"Was it just me or was that somehow awkward" Cole says turning back to me furrowing his eyebrows and pursing him lips, I nod my head laughing "I thought I was the only one who sensed that".

Class goes by in no time and I was so happy it was my last period and I could go home and eat whatever the hell I wanted without the whole table staring at my plate, yet another thing I hated about sitting on Rivers table all the guys stole off your plate and all the girls judged what you were eating.

The bell rings and I quickly pack up all my things and duck out of the class before Ms.Lee could hand out any more last minute homework. As I'm walking toward the door I hear Cole call my name. I stop and wait till he catches up.

"What's up?" I ask as he reaches me "You have a free right?" He asks "Yeah why?" I reply hoping he wasn't going to ask me to go study with him. Don't get me wrong I adored Cole and love spending time with him but I needed to get away from school work right now "Don't give me that look" he says chuckling "Don't worry it's nothing school related trust me I'm sick of work too" he basically just read my mind "So what is it then?" I ask now slightly more intrigued "It is kind of school related but not how you think" I shake my head and smile knowing he needed help with something "I was wondering if you wanted to come watch Jaimes first practice with me today?" I was not expecting him to say that but I was so happy that he did "Of course" I was actually starting to get really excited "Cool" he says smiling "So where's your car?" I ask as we walk out to the parking lot "Oh I thought we were going to your car my dad drops me off" he replies. That is probably the most adorable thing I've ever heard "Yeah I got dropped off as well, I'll just call my..." I drift off wondering if I'd sound superficial if I said my driver. I knew Cole wouldnt judge me so I decide to say it anyway "Driver" I finish my sentence off "Oooo driver how fancy" he says in an awful British accent "Oh shut up" I say pushing him arm playfully.

I quickly text Sergio who was luckily around the corner already. "He'll be here soon" I say as we sit on a bench near the main entrance "So this driver of yours is he the awkward don't talk to me type or the father figure history teacher who talks about their life too much type?" He asks to which I furrow my eyebrows and laugh at his example "History teacher dad type" I reply.