Chapter 22
1534words
I had ended up waiting for what felt like hours when headlights finally came blaring down the road. In reality, it had probably only been about 20 minutes. Then, finally, Asher pulled up in a swanky land rover. He hadn't even come to a complete stop when I yanked the door open and jumped into the seat. Moaning as the heat of the car hits my freezing body.
“Hello gorgeous”, Asher grinned, turning toward me in the seat.
“You are fucking amazing,” I exclaim, warming my finger in front of the heater. “I literally have no words. Thank you for this.”
“Anytime,” He beamed, turning back in his seat. His eyes fell on Loki's Jacket still wrapped around my shoulder and Loki bike at the side of the road, his mouth falling open then closed. His eyes losing a little of their light. He didn't say anything. Though I knew he wanted to. I was thankful for that. I didn't know if I would have been able to hold back the tears if he had. I was sure my makeup said enough; it was probably smeared all over my face.
Asher popped the car in reverse and began to back out the road. Before long, we were pulling onto the main road, heading back home. Asher chatted to me as he drove, keeping the conversation light even trying to make me laugh a couple of times. Though I wasn't really in the mood, I appreciated the effort. He was such a nice guy. I really wish I could have been the kind of girl he deserved. It would have been so easy. But I knew deep down that I never could be that girl. It wasn't me.
I spent Sunday recovering from the day before. Storm came over for a few hours, but I wasn't really up for entertaining. Being my best friend, she knew something was bothering me but hadn't pressed when I had told her I was 'just tired'. Even though we both knew I was lying. Storm trying her best to distract me, but even she couldn't help. I felt numb and couldn't seem to concentrate on anything for more than five seconds. When she eventually left, I took a bath then when back to sleep.
Monday, I finally had to drag myself out of bed. I didn't feel like going back to school, not after everything that happened. But it was Storms first day back, too, and I was be dammed if I didn't support her. I dressed in some boring jeans, a long-sleeved boring jumper, military boots and pulled my hair up into a messy bun. Putting on only the minimal amount of makeup. Before grabbing my bag and heading over to meet Storm. I waited outside, not wanting to accidentally run into Loki this early in the morning, especially when I felt like crap. After about ten minutes, texting and calling her with no response, I had no choice but to knock on the front door.
Of course, Loki answered; he looked me up and down. Not saying a word to me.
“Hey. Is Storm coming?” I asked, trying to make my voice friendly as possible. He shrugged, not meeting my eyes. Then walked away, leaving the door open. Well, at least he hadn't slammed it in my face. I walk inside, closing the door behind me before charging up to Storms room. I open to door, finding Storm sat up in bed, staring into space, her duvet clutched in her fingers.
“Storm,” I said gently, trying to get her attention. She didn't look at me, didn't even see to notice me standing there. I set my bag down and walked over to the bed, approaching her in a way that she could see me coming. Making sure to make my footsteps loud so as not to startle her. She blinked several times, her eyes slowly focusing on me.
“Hey, how you doing?” I asked, forcing a smile on my face when all I wanted to do was cry. She tries to smile and fails.
“I...I don't think I can go to school today,” She admits, her voice so small. She looked away, embarrassed and oh so sad. “I've been awake for hours, thinking... I'm sorry, Scarlett,” her voice shaking.
“Sweetie, hey,” I console, curling my arms around her “, you don't need to apologise to me; I completely understand. There is no pressure. You come to school when you’re good and ready, okay?” She starts crying, her head pressed into my chest. I hold her to me, letting her tears soak into my jumper. My own eyes burning. The door creaked, slowly making sure not to disturb Storm; I turned my head. I was surprised to find Loki leaned on the doorway, his eyes sad as he watched his little sister sob in my arms.
“I'm so scared,” Storm whispers, her voice breaking.
“Shhhh, it's okay. Your safe here. I got you,” I soothe, rubbing her back in a small circler motion. I wanted to tell her nothing bad was ever going to happen again. But I couldn't promise her that. This world was too crawl. Loki's eyes snap to me, an unspoken question in his eyes 'is she okay?' I shake my head. Giving him a sad smile before looking away. When I looked up again, he was gone.
I stayed with Storm for 30 minutes, making me late for school. But I didn't care. How could I when my best friend was at home broken? I had to report straight to the principal’s office since it was my first day back from suspension. Saying he wasn't happy to see me would have been the understatement of the year. He threatened to suspend me again just for the indecency of being late. I wouldn't have cared. It would have meant going back to Storm; I was half tempted just to walk out anyway. But I didn't. I kept my temper in check like Adam had begged me to, for his sanity more than my own. I didn't care anymore. The world was always going to be a little bit dimmer now.
I arrived 40 something minutes late to my first class, getting me sent out immediately. Great. Just great. Monday's were truly the bane of my existence.
My second class, thankfully, was a little more bearable. Having arrived on time, Barbie apparently was still absent due to our little misunderstanding. I couldn't help but enjoy her empty seat, hoping that it would remain empty for the rest of the year so Storm could have a little peace of mind. If Storm ever did return to school.
Morning break came, and I quickly realised I would be spending it alone. Oh, the joy. So I took up the usual back corner seat and pulling out my phone. I hadn't received a single text from Storm since I had left her this morning and decided to give her a quick call. But she didn't pick up. I sighed. Dropping her a text instead.
Me to Storm.
Hey, how are you feeling? School has been shit so far. I can't wait till lunch. Can I pop over to see you if you like? Miss you, love ya xoxox
She didn't reply. I took out an apple from my bag and began to munch on it, my eyes shifting around the room. Babies’ minions had taken up their own table next to the sofas and were whispering and glaring at me. I smiled, sending them the middle finger before looking away.
Adam and Alisa sat cuddled, smiling and laughing together. Well, at least they were happy. A couple of other people from the football team were with them and some girls, I couldn't be bothered to remember the names of. Loki was there too, although he looked as bored as I felt. Lazily lounging on a chair, completely oblivious to the people around him. Shawn and Asher were there too, deep in conversation with some of the other guys. I sighed, taking another big bite of my apple and flicking through my phone. But there was nothing new.
The rest of my day was more of the same. I kept my head down and tried to get on with my work. In Tutor group, I sat in my usual place on the second row; Asher came in after me and sat in his usual seat in front of me. We talked, but I avoided giving him too much detail about Storm. Loki strolled in late, taking a seat at the back of the room far away from me.
When the bell signalled lunch, I was already out the door heading to the parking lot. I pop over to see Storm, who was still in bed, sleeping. I woke her up made us both lunch. But she only had two bites before curling up into a ball with her eyes closed. I read my book for a little bit before leaving to go back to school. My next classes passed by in a boring bluer, and I was soon finished for the day heading back to check up on Storm.
