Owen
I spent the rest of the evening planning what I was going to do about Lainey. I pondered going back to normal and let her hate me forever.
But the second I let the reality of that situation wink in my chest felt like it was caving in on itself.
And I can't go back on the promise I made.
So I'm stuck with the project of winning her back.
A project I will gladly take on.
So as I wake up the next day for the first day back to school I set out to find Lainey. Only to realize she wouldn't be back till tomorrow.
"You alright," Caleb asks me as we walk to our cars.
"Yeah, just got a lot on my mind," I respond.
He nods and claps my shoulder, "If you need anything let me know."
I give him a tight smile and head off to work.
When I finally get home from work my mom is about to leave for her late night shift at the dinner.
"Hey, sweetie." She says with a smile.
I place my keys on the table, noticing how black my hands are from work. "Hey Ma."
My mom stops in front of me, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I say with a forced smile.
She takes her thumb and wipes grease off the side of my cheek, probably smudging it instead. "Your eyes seem sad."
"I just had a long day," I say quietly.
Despite being covered in grease she pulls me into a tight hug. "I love you more than you could ever know," She says softly.
I let out a long breath that I seemed to be holding all day. "I love you too."
She steps away and smiles at me. "I am so proud of you."
I roll my eyes at her statement causing her to laugh.
~~~~
I rub my calmy hands together as I walk into school the next morning. I know Lainey will be here today, and I am nervous as hell to see her.
After stopping at my locker to grab my books I make my way to Lainey's locker.
I see Lainey before she sees me. I take a moment to watch her laugh as Trey smiles at her in a way that sends a twinge of jealousy through my gut, even though I know he has a thing for Maize.
Her lips curve into a beautiful smile as her hair flows down her back in waves that bounce with each laugh.
Once she stops laughing I finally decide to make my presents known. "I am glad to see you again," I say I as stop beside Lainey.
She raises her brows as she looks up at me, "I figured you would be pleased to see me in a coma."
That jab hurts more than I would like to let on.
I let a teasing smile dance on my lips as I say, "Then who would I tease, darling."
Lainey's whole face changes and I practically feel Trey's disgust. "Do not call me darling," Lainey says coldly.
I lean closer to her, causing her to take a step backward, "Why not?"
Her lips curve into an eat-shit smirk, "Because it's not as endearing as you think it is."
The bell rings and I shrug, "Keep telling yourself that."
"Darling," I add as she walks away.
She holds up her middle finger as she gets lost in the crowd.
~~~~
"Are you going to sit with her?" Caleb asks as we leave our class.
I nod as I pull my bag higher up on my shoulder, Caleb laughs, "You like her don't you?"
My silence must answer his question because he walks away with the biggest grin I have ever seen before.
After I get my lunch from my locker I go outside in hopes to find Lainey.
It doesn't take me long to find her at a table with Trey and Maize. What surprises me is Trey sitting across from Maize instead of beside her.
Maybe they haven't told Lainey yet since she doesn't remember anything that happened.
I slide onto the bench beside Lainey, "Sorry, I'm late."
"What the hell is wrong with you," Lainey bites out as she attempts to push me off the bench.
"Woah, chill woman," I say as I fight against her shoving.
"Get your own table, "Lainey says with a glare.
"Fine," I say matching her glare.
I simply get up and take a seat beside Trey, directly across from her. "This seat is better anyway," I say with a wink.
Lainey looks so shocked that Maize shoves her finger into her side. "Earth to Lainey," Mazie draws."
"You alright Laniey?" I take a bite of my soup, "You seem a little spacey."
She glares at me and then goes back to eating her lunch.
After I finished my lunch I noticed her eating crackers. So, I do what most guys would do; I lean across the table and steal one.
"What the hell, Huntley?" Lainey growls.
I look at Trey, "Would you like one?"
Trey matches my teasing smile as he says, "I would love one."
I lean back across the table and grab two more crackers.
"Why are you sitting with us?" Lainey snaps.
I rest my elbows on the table, creating a perfect headrest. "When you went into the comma I didn't know if you were ever going to wake back up and it scared me." I shrug. "So now I'm no longer going to be mean."
"I'm sure you will stick to that," Lainey says dryly.
I flash her my best smile, "I will, scouts honor."
Despite how annoyed she may be her lips twitch upwards. "Where you even in the Boy Scouts?"
I shake me. "Nah, my mom couldn't afford it."
No one responds to my comment, but something like compassion flashes in Lainey's eyes.
~~~~
By the time Laineys last class lets out, I am waiting outside. When she sees me she snarls, "What are you doing over here?"
I put my hands in my pockets as I follow her. "I wanted to see your pretty face."
Okay, so maybe I'm going a little overboard on the flirting.
She looks over her shoulder at me as she digs through her locker. "Why are suddenly flirting with me."
Her question stumps me. I have never had a girl outright ask me that before.
"I'm not flirting," I say with a little stutter.
Lainey slams her locker shut. "Yes you are, and it's repulsive."
Well, that hurt more than I would like to admit.
I sigh, "Look, I felt bad about how I treated you before your accident and now that you're better I want to be your friend."
She snorts, "You want to be my friend."
More than anything.
"Yes."
Lainey crosses her arms and smiles, "You, Owen Huntley, want to be me, Lainey Smits friend?"
I nod.
She shakes her head. "Well, this should be fun."