Falling into the Badboy

Three

The following days after my confrontation with Brian, I made sure to stay away from him. He's nothing but bad news. As the week was coming to an end, Leah couldn't talk about anything else but Melanie Garcia's party on Saturday night.

I follow her through the lunchroom to our usual table and sit down next to her. Over the past week, I've been coming and sitting with Leah and her friends at lunch. Only a few others sat with us; one is Jackie; she's the nerdy type who loves anything and everything technology. With her coal-black hair running past her shoulders and her big glasses, she was actually really pretty, but she's shy. Then there's Greg he's an all-star athlete, he plays goalie for our school soccer team. And sometimes Tom comes and sits with us at lunch. Tom is Leah's boyfriend, he's really nice, and his laugh is very contagious.

As we sit down at the table, I look at my tray, not really hungry. Derek called last night to tell me he was coming to pick me up today for my doctor's appointment. I'm so excited to see him, but nervous at the same time.

"Grace?" I'm jolted out of my own thoughts and look at Leah.

"I'm sorry. Lost in my own thoughts." I say, putting my hands in my lap.

Leah smiles and shakes her head, "It's okay. I was asking if you were coming to the party tomorrow night." She smiles, and I look around the table as everyone looks at me.

"Um..." I'm cut off when a hand reaches around Leah's shoulder.

"Of course, she is!" Tom exclaims, smiling. "Everyone is going." He looks at me and smiles. I look back down at my tray. I notice another person standing behind Tom; he sees this too and follows my gaze behind him, "right Brian?" He asks. Pulling away from Leah, Tom slaps Brian on the back.

Brian looks at me, and I look away. He knows I'm ignoring him, with his attempts to catch my gaze every time we are in class and my morning runs. He left a note in my locker, apologizing for that day after school. "Right." He says, looking away from me.

I can't let myself get involved with anyone. Not after what I did, it's too much of a risk, and I can't let anyone in; letting someone like Brian into my life after Shawn is like repeating the past. Repeating that is something I can't afford to do.

I slowly walk to the doors at the end of the last bell and outside. I look around for Derek and smile, seeing him leaning up against his car. It was an FBI issued vehicle, and he seemed dressed for work, as his sunglasses blocked his eyes, and I could see his cuffs, badge, and gun still around his hip.

When he notices me walking towards him, I quickly pick up the pace, and he opens his arms as I fly into them. He laughs this time it being a full-hearted laugh, "Oh my God. I missed you." I said as he squeezes me.

I pull back, and he smiles, "I missed you too, kid. Come on." He nods to the car, and his hand is on my back as he opens the door for me. When Derek closes the door, I smile and turn, looking to the student parking. I see Brian standing next to a bike; he has a cigarette in his mouth as he watches me.

I turn, and Derek shuts his door. He sits over his seat belt normal for him because he needs to rush out of the car without distractions in case of an emergency. He puts the car in drive, and we head out of town.

Thankfully for me, aunt Vicki lives in Virginia, so we were close to Derek. When I was in his care for a couple of months, I saw the doctor over at Quantico, the same as Derek. From where aunt Vicki lives, we were an hour and a half away from the office.

When we come to a stop in the parking lot, I release my seatbelt and turn just as I see a bike ride past continuing past the office. My heart starts to beat faster as I know exactly who that was. I shake my head and open the door walking around to Derek as we head inside.