My heart aches. I want what they have. Turning back toward the door, I make my way outside. It’s not until I’m halfway down the drive that I see him.
My heart starts to race as I feel my cheeks heat. He’s jogging toward me. I don’t know if he will stop or not, but I yearn for him to.
When he doesn’t even glance in my direction as he makes his way past me, my heart falls as I feel tears prick at my eyes.
I let out a deep sigh as I continue on my way home.
I can’t keep falling for that man.
If only my heart got the memo.
-
Two
“Now that Shannon’s gone,what are we going to do? We need ten girls.”
I grimace at the whiny tone coming from behind me. What an insensitive bitch. Their friend and teammate just died.
I usually wouldn’t sit so close, but I was asked to keep an ear out. That’s how I ended up sitting at the table next to the cheerleading squad.
“We could hold an emergency tryout,” one of them suggests.
“That’s our best hope. I’ll set it up as soon as possible.”
They continue talking about their routines and how they are going to have to rework them for the new girl, whoever that may be. I attempt to stay present, but my mind tunes them out. It’s obvious they aren’t going to talk about the drugs.
When the cafeteria doors open, my eyes swing up. It’s almost as if I can feel him before I see him.
Nate Rockford.
We’ve always had a rocky relationship, but ever since the night Willow ran away, he hasn’t said two words to me. It’s almost as if he’s giving me the cold shoulder. After yesterday’s blatant rejection, I know he must hate me.
He used to argue with me in class, but even that has stopped. It’s almost as if he has decided I no longer exist.
Which is fine with me.
At least, I want it to be, but I can’t deny the pang in my chest from his disregard.
His eyes scan the tables, passing over me easily, making me frown.
I don’t know what his problem is. Sure, I lied to him, but it was for my best friend. If we want to get technical, I never even lied. I just didn’t tell him she left. I didn’t even plan the fall into the pool. It’s like him to get his panties in a twist over something stupid.
I’m done wasting my energy on him.
Getting up, I grab my tray, heading toward the trash. Nate makes his way toward me, but his eyes aren’t on me. I avert my eyes as well, not wanting him to think I’m watching him.
It’s not until he’s about to pass me that I feel it. A slight bump of the shoulder, making me lose my balance, my tray hitting the ground as I fall. My knees and hands burn as I land on the floor.
Nate pauses as the laughter around me amplifies.
For a brief second, I think I see a slight concern in his eyes, but my own must be deceiving me.
“Watch where the fuck you’re going, trailer trash.”
His cruel words ring out across the cafeteria, making the laughter grow louder.
I feel my cheeks heat as my eyes water. I swallow hard, trying to keep the tears at bay. The tingling in my nose tells me I’m failing.
