The Invisible Silver Lining [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 35

I slip on my converse as I tell Sharon, "I'm leaving now, or I'm going to be late for the last day." She mutters a "See ya" from her bed where she sits, engrossed in some novel. I wave goodbye to her before leaving the room. I grab my cycle keys and head into the living room. Xander's sitting on our couch messing around with my Playstation 2. I slip my arms around his neck from behind. "Baby you still coming with? I gotta get to school." His eyes are glued to the TV screen, his fingers flying across the buttons on the controller. "Yeah, just lemme get this, whoa whoa whoa!" He says, partly talking to the game. I look at the screen and smile. "Post-Apocalypse Four? Still trying to beat my high-score?" He nods, biting down on his bottom lip like he always does when he's distracted. I smile, "Good luck with that." He mutters, completely focused, "All...most...got...it. NO!" I look at the screen to see Xander die. I laugh. "Come on you. I gotta go. You died. Up." Xander sighs. He grabs the remote, presses a button, and turns everything off.

I grab his hand as he stands up. "I'm ready." He smiles. "I heard." I lead him to the garage and straddle my cycle. He gets on in front of me. Occasionally I let him drive the Harley. I'm still a better cycle driver than he is. I hand him the keys with which he quickly starts the vehicle. I lean forward, wrapping my arms around his firm waist, and resting my head on his strong back. We take off.

Once we get to USC, Xander walks me down the southeastern halls. Our fingers are intertwined, hands slightly swinging as we walk. We stop outside room 114. My English class. Xander looks down at me and says softly, "Here's where I leave you." I look at the floor. "Wish you could come inside with me." Xander steps forward, and I step back, making my backpack hit up against the wall. He puts his hands on either side of my head. He takes his thumb and tilts my head up to look at him before putting his hand back. "Then I guess I'll give you something to think about during the next hour." Butterflies swarm in my stomach. He leans in and kisses me. Instinctively, my hands go up to his neck, pulling him closer to me. The fireworks fly, just like every time our lips touch. I will never get tired of this feeling.

Slowly, I let go of him, my fingers tracing little circles in his short blonde hair. "I gotta go to class baby." I whisper to him. He places a small, yet beautiful kiss on the tip of my nose. "I'll be waiting for you babe." I walk into my classroom, but not before taking one last look at him watching me. Then my English teacher, Mr. Nealson, closes the door and blocks Xander from my sight.

After class, I check my vibrating phone to see that Xander has texted me. I smile as I see the words, "Waiting 4 u in hall. Looking 4 u 2 leave ur classroom. I luv u!" I smile. Even in texts he's completely amazing. I slip my backpack over my shoulder and slip my phone into my backpocket. I stand outside by the door, watching the crowd of people walk by. I stand up on my tiptoes but I can't see Xander anywhere. I lean against the wall and looked at the text again. It said he's in the hallway. Where is he? I hate being short, can't see a thing over all these heads. I walk a little ways, looking for him. Just as a reach the end of the hallway, where it branches out to two other sections, I stop. I look down my left. I still can't see him. I check the hall on my right. Oh! Right there! He's leaning against the wall, almost out of sight, talking to someone that I can't see. I smile widely and start walking to him.

The person he's having a conversation with steps out of the shadows and into my view. I stop walking. Its Bethany. She appears to be carrying on a lively conversation with Xander. But, that alone confuses me. I thought he told me they never talk anymore...? Ever...? Then, why is she with him? And, looking, happy no less? I make up my mind to go and see what they're doing, get it all sorted out. Before I can get any closer, before I can call out and get Xander's attention, I get the shock of my life. Bethany grins widely, the smile of someone who's day was just made perfect. She throws her arms around Xander's neck, pulling him close and kissing him full on the mouth. And the worst part is, he doesn't break away.

I am so stupid. How could I believe he actually meant it when he said he loved me? I'm just a stupid idiot that fell for yet another stupid boy and his schemes. My eyes fill up with tears as my throat closes. I can't do anything. My body is frozen, stiff with shock, horrified. My backpack falls off my shoulder, making a loud crack echo down the hall. Xander steps back from Bethany, who's his real girlfriend I'm pretty damn sure. He looks over to the source of the noise and sees me. He freezes. Didn't know I was watching did you? Jerk. He immediately starts running towards me, pushing past people. I grip my bag up off the floor and run the other way. I have to get out of here. My eyes blink out tears as I leave, moving blindly.

My so-called boyfriend calls out to me, but I don't answer. I can't, I wont. I run down the hallways, pushing past people desperately and out the heavy green side-doors. He's right behind me, closer now. He still calls out to me, calling my name in an almost pleading way. Why doesn't he just let it go, let me go? Secrets out, there's nothing he can say to change that now. I step into the light. I hate the light. It brings out the true facts, forcing me to see what I never wanted to again. I hurry into the parking lot, thankfully we parked close to the building.

I throw my leg over the side of my cycle while my hands dig in my jacket pocket for my keys. I find them and jam them into the slot. I hear my name being called again. I flip my hair out of my eyes. Xander's out of the building and is making his way over to me, trying to dodge the few cars coming and going. Come on START damn you!

The vehicle comes to life and I gun the engine, speeding off just as he reaches my parking space. I steal a glance back to see him frozen, watching me speed off. I realize, for some reason, that he doesn't have a ride home. Fine. Let him walk for all I care. I turn my eyes back to the road. I hate him. Hate him for tricking me. I hate myself for thinking he could be different. For thinking somebody like him could love me. My brain forces me to see the mental picture of him kissing Bethany again. She's popular, gorgeous, talented. They make a cute couple. Not like him and I. Apparently, Xander thought the same thing. He belongs more with her than with me.

I can feel the tears streaming down my face, flying off as I speed on the highway. Going sixty-five miles, then seventy, then eighty miles per hour. Let the officers catch me. Don't care. Just, gotta get home. Get away from here, get away from him. Gotta get home. Gotta get home.