The Upside of Heartbreak

Unexpected

Confession time for any that are worried, I have had this chapter completed for nearly a week. I was just keeping it as an apology post in case I ran into a time when I needed to delay the update of TWoB. That time has come, so here's my white-flag of sorts. Don't stress too much though. TWoB will be updated next Saturday. I promise.

Thank you so much for the views and votes, by the way. They are greatly appreciated and help to get the story noticed by others :)

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The next day dawned sunny and humid. A heavy bubble of heat seeming to engulf the city. After her morning run and shower, Astrid braided her hair off to the side to keep it off her neck. Then she selected some acid wash cutoffs and a dark red crop top from the heaping closet. Grabbing her well worn 3/4 sleeve boyfriend cut jean jacket just for some modesty, and because the science labs were usually pretty vigorously air conditioned.

After slipping her black Converse All Star Lo's on her feet, Astrid checked her reflection in the full length mirror again. Feeling rather smug. In this outfit, she looked both flirty and sporty. Her athletic frame was easily discernible, but the jacket would be just bulky enough to not make her look like she was trying too hard. The cutoffs long enough to cover her entire butt cheeks so she didn't get in trouble, but still short enough to leave a heck of a lot of leg out in the open.

Meeting the girls, Astrid slung her pack over her shoulder on the way out. The three of them opting to take Heather's silver Mercedes AMG-c43 Coupe because it had air conditioning. They managed to make it to school in time to grab coffee's again before first period. Unfortunately, today was the day they had physics class. What kind of sick sadist schedules Broyd for a first period class block?! At least they had a free study period afterwards, so they could get a head start on whatever homework he gave them.

After leaving the café as quickly as they could, Heather, Rachel, and Astrid all shuffled down the hallway with a groan. Drawing nearer to the dreaded classroom with each grudging step. Entering the lab early enough to beat most of the other students. Thankfully Frank (Fishlegs) Ingerman was already waiting at their customary table. The farthest one from both the door and Broyd's desk. It was a highly coveted table, which was the only reason they showed up early to this class at all.

Frank Ingerman was one of the few guys on the football team that Astrid could actually tolerate. With the exception of Tyler, of course. Smart, shy, and built like a brick shithouse, Frank looked intimidating from afar. Until you talked to him and found out that he was just a gentle nerd at heart. A bit of a whiz at science as well, but even he had struggled to understand Broyd. Preferring to learn as much as he could from books and the internet on his own time. Maybe Astrid would ask him for help this year, though she hated looking stupid. Even in front of Frank, who she knew wouldn't judge her or tell anyone.

He waved them over cheerfully and they all waved back. Heather blushing ever so slightly as they made their way over and set their books down on the table. Heather handing over the coffee they had bought for him without meeting his eyes as he mumbled a cheery 'thanks' in return and reached out to grab it. His fingers just brushing against Heather's and making her blush even harder.

Heather had harboured a secret crush on Frank for the last few years, but Frank was much too innocent and oblivious to notice. It was honestly kind of adorable. Astrid gave Heather a knowing smirk, and Heather rolled her eyes in return as she took the stool across from Astrid. That was when Astrid noticed that every single table had a stack of papers on it.
Rachel spotted them too, and after glancing around for Broyd, lifted the corner of one page to check it out. "Ugh! It's a test," she grumbled in disgust as she dropped the page again.