Chapter 37
I hadn’t seen Alice all morning, wasn’t sure if she was even at school. I saw Franko this morning when I got here. He was waiting by my locker so he could walk me to class.
Not what I was expecting and not sure I was comfortable with it. I was all for giving us a chance but not putting it out there for everyone to see. The whispers were already circulating the school.
I didn’t want to keep us a secret, but I didn’t need the backlash that was about to come when more people found out. Girls were nasty pieces of work and I for one didn’t need the drama.
Besides he hadn’t asked me to be his girlfriend. We were seeing each other and hanging out and who knows maybe we’d end up hating each other. I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts I didn’t hear the door open, I didn’t notice the student giving the note to Mr. Brooks.
I was in a world of my own I also didn’t notice the little scrunched up note that was sitting on my desk.
Who put that there?
“Miss Stone”. Mr. Brooks called.
“Yeah, yes sir”. I answered.
“You’re wanted in the principal’s office”.
“Why?”. I frowned.
“I don’t know Miss Stone”. A sigh fell from his lips. “Pack your stuff away and head there now”.
He had zero interest in the slightest, but I always enjoyed his class. His teaching methods were one of a kind and by that, I mean it was pretty much a free-for-all if you did the work, he asked you to do.
I had no idea what was going on. Maybe they had gotten me mixed up again like last time. I packed away my books but not forgetting about the scrunched-up note, I put that in the pocket of my jacket.
Lifting my backpack, I made my way out of his class and began to head for the principal’s office. Just like last time my stomach was in knots. What if this time it really was for me?
“Skipping class princess?”. Franko was at the bottom of the corridor leaning against the wall.
Did he ever go to class?
Wait….
“Please don’t tell me this is your doing?”. I groaned.
“And if it is?”. He reached over and took my bag from my shoulder.
“I can’t just skip class Franko, and you don’t need to do that”. I nodded to my backpack that he was now carrying.
“Wanted to see you”. He shrugged.
“So, I’m not really wanted in the principal’s office?”. I asked.
“Nah darling”. He smirked. “But since you’re here you wanna grab a coffee?”.
How did he get away with this? I saw him at least once a day sitting in the cafeteria skipping class. I wasn’t falling into the same trap; I couldn’t afford to skip class which makes me wonder how he could.
“I’m going back to math’s”. I sighed.
“Class is over in fifteen minutes babe. Wouldn’t really be worth it now come on come for a coffee with me”. He slipped his arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head; I felt the lump appear in the back of my throat.
What if someone saw that?
Like he knew what I was thinking his arm slipped from my shoulders. “You not cool with that?”. He asked.
I was but I was afraid of what people were going to say. I could hear it now. Why is he dating her? What’s so special about her?
“I am it’s just-..”. I paused.
“You embarrassed to be seen with me specs?”.
“You’re kidding right?”. I made a face. “You’re the popular one Franko not me. If anything, it’s me they’re going to be talking about”.
“Fuck um”. He shrugged. “Got nothing to do with anyone darling and if someone says something you fucking tell me”.
I rolled my eyes. He didn’t get it; it was my name that was going to be dragged through the mud not his.
But why did I care so much about what other people said?
They were going to talk about us regardless.
“Let them talk darling”. Once again, he threw his arm around my shoulders and walked us to the cafeteria.
First thing I did was look around; I couldn’t help myself. I was stressing over nothing. I really liked him, and I enjoyed being around him but this wasn’t going to work if I kept freaking out about someone seeing us together.
I shouldn’t care. We were just hanging out and I wasn’t going to let other people ruin something that had just started. I wasn’t going to let them ruin the one thing that made me happy.
I was experiencing something I had never, and I was happier than I had been in a long time. And that was because of Franko.
“I’m sorry”. I sighed.
“Bout what darling?”.
“About being an idiot with an overactive imagination and someone that overthinks everything. I don’t want you to ever think I’m embarrassed to be seen with you because I’m not”.
“It’s cool darling I get it but I ain’t backing off. Like I said let them talk cause ain’t nobody fucking this up”.
I was afraid I was the one that was going to fuck this up. Franko wasn’t just a normal seventeen-year-old boy. He had built himself a reputation and I get that he had to because of where he comes from and who his family are. In our school, our town he, they, were a big deal and not always in a good way.
Everyone knew who he was. Me on the other hand I was a nobody, and I liked it that way.
“Aubrey”. He reached over taking my hand in his. “I really like you, I ain’t gonna hurt you but baby you can’t let those fuckers ruin it before it’s even started”.
“I know”. I gave him a small smile. “Now are you going to get me coffee before my next class starts?”.
The door to the cafeteria opening caught my attention my head snapping in that direction.
Tommy. He was grinning from ear to ear.
“My man”. He winked. “Aubrey”. He nodded.
“Hey”. I spoke.
It was then I realised Franko still had a hold of my hand.
“About time you gave in”. He smirked. “Thought my boy here was losing his touch”.
Eh?
“What?”. I frowned.
“The fuck do you want Tommy?”. Franko glared.
What did Tommy mean by losing his touch? My stomach dropped. Was this all a game? I couldn’t deal with the constant what ifs. It was going to end up driving me crazy.
It all came down to trust. I wanted to trust him, part of me already did but I still had a little bit that didn’t, and that part was screaming that this was all a joke. But he swore he would never hurt me, and I believed him.
“Just reminding you about the run later”. Tommy spoke. “Blue wants us at the clubhouse right away”.
And that was my queue to leave. I didn’t want to know what they were getting up to after school. It was none of my business and I wanted to keep it that way.
“I’m going to head to class”. I pushed back my seat and got to my feet. I had English next, and I didn’t want to be late.
“Nah”. Franko frowned. “Still got time for a coffee darling. Tommy was just leaving”.
“Oh, right”. Tommy smirked. “Catch you later Aubrey”.
“Tommy is Alice”. I paused. “Is she here today?”.
“Ain’t seen her since yesterday. Doesn’t want to talk to me”. He shrugged.
“She doesn’t?”. I frowned.
“Wouldn’t let me in last night. Told me to leave her alone so that’s what I’m doing. Fuck knows what’s wrong with her”.
He was what’s wrong with her. She wanted more and he wasn’t willing to give her it. But she knew what she was getting into the minute she started dating him and this is why I was so afraid of making the same mistake.
I didn’t want to fall for someone who only thought I was there to warm his bed.
“Aubrey?”. Franko reached over placing his hand on top of mine.
“Sorry”. I smiled. “Now are you getting me coffee or not? Class is going to start soon”.
“How about I get you coffee on the way?”.
“To where?”. I frowned.
I couldn’t skip school again. Not that I was failing any classes, but I didn’t want to put myself in the situation of falling behind. I couldn’t afford for that to happen.
“We’re gonna make sure your friends alright darling. I’ll get you one of them fancy coffees”. He grinned.
I loved that he wanted to do that for me, to make sure Alice was okay but right now after last night I wasn’t sure she wanted to see me either.
“Could you go and check on her for me please?”. I asked.
“What?”. He frowned. “Fuck no I don’t like the bitch babe”.
I rolled my eyes. “But you were willing to take me?”.
“She’s your friend darling not mine. You wanna make sure she’s okay then I’ll take you. Me on the other hand, I couldn’t give a fuck”.
Wow.
“It doesn’t matter”. I got to my feet. “I have to get to class I’ll see you later”. As I turned to walk away his voice stopped me.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.
“Wait”.
I tried my best to hide my smile.
“She still stays in the same place, right?”. He asked.
I nodded.
“Fine princess I’ll go check on her but you gotta do something for me”.
“What’s that?”.
“You gotta come spend the full day with me on Saturday”. He grinned.
“This Saturday?”. I asked.
“Aye darling”. He nodded.
“My parents are away this weekend”. I spoke.
“That an invitation princess?”.
I rolled my eyes. “It means I can hang out on Saturday”.
“Yeah, it does”. He smirked. “Get to class and I’ll see you at lunch”. He closed the short distance between us and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. “Fuck princess how’d I get so lucky”.
Every time he was close my heart felt like it was going to jump out my chest. Every fiber of my being wanted him. I wanted to go with him, skip school and spend most of the day with him.
I just wanted him.
A sigh fell from my lips as I watched him walk away.