AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’veneverbeensoexcited to have a free period in the morning as I am today. I slept like shit. Instead of my usual run before school, I decided a change of venue would help clear my head to keep from possibly running down Elm Street again. So I came to the high school just before dawn and ran the track.
With each pound of my footsteps on the pavement, I replayed the moments from last night. Austin said he had arrived last week. Was he here the day I changed my running route and ran past his house?
A knock at the open door causes me to jump. When I turn my head, I don’t see anyone. “What the hell?”
Suddenly, a small white flag waves midair.
I smirk.
Austin appears in the doorway. “Is it safe to enter?”
I roll my eyes as I mock him. “Very funny.”
He walks into my classroom with one hand still waving the flag and the other behind his back. I arch my neck, trying to find what he’s hiding, but he twists his body away from me, so I just pout.
“I come in peace. I promise.”
“I know,” I sigh.
“You were gone this morning, so I was worried I might need to bring out the big guns since you stayed holed up in your room last night.” His brows draw together in concern.
“Sorry, I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to just run the track.”
“Ry, I really am sorry. I should have told you.” I hate the distraught look on my best friend’s face.
“Austin, I get it. We can’t go back in time.” Trust me, if we could, I would. “So, let’s just move forward. Just please don’t keep things like that from me.”
“I won’t. It kept me up most of the night, too. All I could think about was everything he put you through, and I was an ass.” His appearance is slightly more disheveled than usual. His blue dress shirt is slightly wrinkled, and there are dark circles under his eyes that match mine. At least makeup conceals mine. “Just promise me that if you at all feel—”
I rise and place my finger over his lips, silencing him. “I will.”
Tossing the flag onto my desk, he grabs my wrist gently and pulls my hand down. His eyes focus on mine, and his face goes serious. “Promise me you’ll tell me, Riley.”
“I promise,” I say in a hushed tone.
He nods in response and squeezes my hand before releasing it. “So, we’re all good?”
I giggle that he’s so worried still. “Yes, we’re good.”
Austin purses his lips together. “Then I guess you don’t want this coffee.” He finally reveals what was behind his back: a large coffee from the coffee shop—aka the nectar of the gods and not the gross sludge served in the faculty lounge.
“Ahh,” I shriek, reaching my hands out in front of me and wiggling my fingers. I’m pretty sure my face just lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Gimme, gimme.”
When he hands it over, I bring the cup to my nose and inhale the delicious aroma.
Austin chuckles when I let out a breathy moan after the first sip. I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not. I’m glad it’s just the two of us in the classroom now.
I follow him over toward the window and follow his gaze.
“When I was in the office this morning, I heard rumors he has a meeting with Principal Horne tomorrow.”
I hum as I take another sip.
“You ready for this?”
“Not really sure what choice I have.”
“Maybe you can have your classroom changed,” he manages in between a snicker.
