January, 2019
Returning to school after winter break was surprisingly easy. My classes had only shifted slightly, and not to my disadvantage. My art class became film studies, which I appreciated much more and my fourth period was now home economics.
It wasn't until today, two weeks after our return, that I really began to dread it. Getting out of bed this morning was challenging, as I woke up half an hour late and forgot to actually start the laundry machine. I ended up wearing grey sweats and a baggy maroon t-shirt to school, which I felt self-conscious in.
When I stepped outside I was greeted by a clear sky, and a surprisingly bearable temperature. I couldn't see my breath, which was progress. The scent of fresh air and coffee filled my senses, lightening my mood slightly. However, as I began to believe that it was just a rough morning, my car wouldn't start.
Ten minutes later, it finally decided too.
This series of events lead to me bolting into Pine Hill High School fifteen minutes after the first bell. My hair was loosely curled from yesterday, which was the only think keeping it from looking knotty. My face was bare with the exception of some mascara.
Safe to say, I looked like a total wreck.
Although I tried to say discreet while slipping into Mr. Sloane's classroom, the whole class turned in my direction.
Our teacher took a deep breath, his sudden silence was deafening. His eyes filled with sympathy, though his expression remained neutral.
"Miss James, you know I tend to be lenient with tardiness. However, you're very late with no note or pass." Mr. Sloane shook his head while he spoke and I suppressed a groan as he leaned over to grab a bright green notepad on his desk.
The class remained eerily still, minus the small laugh I heard from Kate. I rolled my eyes discreetly.
"I'll see you in the library after school." Mr. Sloane spoke up once again, handing me the thin, green slip.
I put on a tight smile and nodded my head, before sitting hastily down next to Kate. Us two weren't necessarily on speaking terms, which was ridiculous, I'll admit. I just... didn't know what to say to her.
During second period, we had a sub. He was an elderly man who didn't seem to know a thing about Calculus, nor did he care. Therefore, instead of Laura, I took a seat next to Kaden.
"Woah, you okay?" I asked in a cautious tone, noticing the dim, purple bags under Kade's eyes.
He gave me a small, reassuring smile. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm good. My parents have been home, and my dad has been pressuring me about Yale. I just have a lot on my plate."
"What's has he said?"
"You know, the usual." Kaden shrugged, laying his head down on his desk.
I rolled my eyes. "Actually, I don't know. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No." Kaden mumbled into his elbow, not lifting his head.
I huffed, but didn't push any further. As Kaden slept on his desk, I texted Kendall.
me: hey kendall! can you cover my shift after school? i'm sorry this is in such short notice, i have detention after school. i completely understand if you can't! :)
Two minutes later, she responded.
kendall: yeah of course! if you don't mind me asking, why'd you get detention?
me: i slept in, then my car decided to stop working. i got to my first period fifteen minutes late >:(
kendall: that's unfair :(((
me: i'll second that, but there's nothing i can do. thank you again!!
kendall: you don't need to thank me >:( it's seriously no problem!!
Setting my phone in my bag, I looked impatiently towards the clock. Five more minutes were left in the period. I shook Kaden, but he ignored the movement.
"Kade we have five minutes left of class, get up." I spoke in a harsh whisper. His response was turning in the other direction.
Giving up, I shoved my untouched Calculus work into my bag and shrugged it over my shoulder. When the bell rang, Kaden still didn't move.
At least I tried.
The rest of the day passed in a blur, each class more boring than the one prior. When Physics arrived, Cole slid next to me, in a seat which was not assigned to him.
"Hey Sophia, you're back from Hawaii early." I teased, as the girl who really sat there was currently on vacation. Cole met my gaze with a panicked expression.
"I need your help." He spoke frantically.
Furrowing my eyebrows, I sighed. "Alright, what's up?"
"I need you to go to a party with me on Valentines day. Just for an hour! Or until I get drunk enough to actually want to socialize with people." Though Cole spoke in a harsh whisper anyways, his last sentence was mumbled, as if it was aimed more at himself than me.
I shot Cole a look of disapproval and scoffed. "Yeah, no. We've already established I don't do well at Runswick parties. Just get Dawson to go with you."
"It's at his house, he'll be busy hosting. I really don't want to go alone, I don't want to go in general, but its tradition. You're only one of my friends that I like, besides Kaden, but we both he'd absolutely never agree-"
"What makes you think I would! Invite Kendall-"
"I'm not going to do that." He cut me off. "Avery, please. All I'm asking for is an hour!"
I stared blankly at Cole, whose brown eyes were pleading. "Fine. One hour, than you're driving me home. I know you don't drink anymore Cole."
"It's times like this that I wish I still did..." He mumbled, before his eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait, you'll go? Thank you! I knew you were my favorite friend, Vree."
I rolled my eyes, smiling a little. "Yeah, yeah. Now go sit down."
Cole sent me one more grateful glance, before returning to his assigned seat.
The class seemed to carry on forever, our teacher spewing information that I know I wouldn't grasp. I tapped my pencil on my leg, and tried to slyly glance at my phone. However, every time my eyes would wander anywhere but the board, I earned a glare from the less than friendly educator.
As the final bell rung, releasing us from last period, I let out a sigh of relief. This marked the beginning of the end to my fairly bad day.
I hesitated for a moment before getting up, allowing eager students to push through each other first before exiting. Letting out a heavy sigh, I made my way towards my locker and quickly texted Kaden who was supposed to give me a lift to work. On schooldays, it's a common occurrence that he'd drive me to Mugs, than drop me off back at school to drive home.
me: hey! so i have detention. i'll explain why later, but you can just go home. kendall picked up my shift haha
Setting my phone inside my locker, I shoved my textbooks alongside it before the door abruptly shut.
"That's what you get for leaving me sleeping in second period." Kaden huffed, though a smile ghosted his face.
I shot him a glare, putting my combination in again and picking up where I started. "I tried earlier, you didn't listen. Did you get my text?"
Kaden furrowed his eyebrows, than grabbed his phone out of his pocket. Scanning the screen, he laughed. "Now I did, why do you have detention."
"My car broke down and I was late to Sloane's. I have to be in the library in five." I sighed, shutting my locker and slinging my backpack over my shoulders.
Kaden nodded. "Are you working tomorrow?"
"Yeah, as far as I know. What time does your shift end today?" I started walking, Kaden followed next to me.
"Four-thirty I think, why?"
I gave him a weary smile. "Is there any way you could take me to a mechanic after I get out? I'll pay you for gas!"
Kaden rolled his eyes and laughed a little. "Ave, I'm not gonna make you pay for gas. I'll take you, but I might be a little late picking you up."
Sooner than expected, the two of us approached the entrance to the library. With a large smile, I quickly wrapped my arms around Kaden.
"Thank you, I appreciate you!" I called walking directly into the room after I pulled away.
"Sure you do!" Kaden replied, matching my tone.
The library at Pine Hill had an unexplainable eerie feel. It always had in my opinion. As the only area of the school that hadn't been updated through the years, it still had original towering bookcases and squeaky hardwood floors. The cushions of the various window seats had velvet covers which smelt like dust. Although I enjoyed this room while filled with students studying and teachers researching, when standing alone it gave me goosebumps.
My gaze snapped towards the door as I heard someone push it open, and I immediately sat down in a large chair covered in old, green velvet fabric. Assuming it was Mr. Sloane, I picked up the first book I saw and buried my face in it.
However, much to my surprise, it was Dawson Johnson was the one who entered the room. His footsteps were loud against the old flooring and he held a cell phone to his ear.
"I'll have to catch a later flight then. I don't know what to tell you, if I ditch this I'll get suspended. There's no buying me out of that." Dawson spoke in an unfamiliar tone of irritation. In the few, unpleasant times I had spoken with him, he tended to speak in a teasing manner, one that typically irked me.
"Again, what do you want me to say? I'm sorry, really. It won't happen again, but I'm on my third strike. Me being a few hours late isn't the end of the world." He ran a hand through his lightly styled hair, obviously stressed out.
A part of me felt bad for listening, as he was speaking in a hushed tone and I had to lean in his direction to hear the entirety of his conversation.
"Jesus Christ. It's one meeting, I won't be missed that much. I fucked up, I get it. Don't pay ten grand to get me out of it, even if they do accept it." Dawson groaned, obviously annoyed.
As if it actually did something, I pressed the novel I held closer to my face and leaned even closer.
"This conversation is going nowhere. Tell Dad and Julia I'll be late, and there's no way of avoiding it." He paused for a moment. "Have a nice day Claude, I mean it." In the blink of an eye, Dawson's tone turned from aggravated, to exhausted and surprisingly genuine.
He had walked out of view before he hung up, and I hadn't been aware that their conversation was over. For another moment, I scooted even closer to the edge of the couch, listening intently.
A fake cough from behind me caused me to jump, and goosebumps to raise from my arms.
"Avery James, huh. Didn't take you for the eavesdropping type." Dawson spoke in amusement.
I glared in his direction, pulling the book away from my face. "That's because I'm not, I was...reading." My white lie was obvious, which I kind of appreciated. I hated dishonesty and I felt like a major hypocrite.
"Mhm, yeah. How's that upside down, Italian to English dictionary?" Dawson scoffed sarcastically, but I could've sworn he was suppressing a laugh,
My eyes widened slightly, before I set the book to my side. "Okay, fine. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"
"I'm really not in the mood to hear fake apologies, Avery. I don't care, it's not like you heard anything that was a secret. Next time though, make your cover a little better." He tried to portray his typical nonchalant tone, however it fell a little.
"Fine." I returned briefly, unable to think of a more clever comeback. Dawson and I sat in awkward silence for a little, I dug the book I was actually reading out of my backpack and rapidly turned its pages. He had a binder on his lap, scribbling on a piece of paper which I assumed was homework of some sort.
After ten minutes, Mr. Sloane walked into the room. He held a fresh cup of coffee. "Sorry for keeping you two waiting. As you know, I'm keeping you here until four-thirty, the latest we're allowed to be in the school. I'll be in my classroom grading papers, you're not to speak or to move from this room. Do homework or something. This isn't the Breakfast Club, we have cameras. If you leave this room I'll know and you'll have detention for the rest of the week. Am I clear?"
"Yeah." I mumbled.
"Crystal." Dawson spoke at the same time.
Mr. Sloane nodded, before exiting the room once again. I turned my head to the large clock which hung on the wall, the time was two-twenty.
I opened my mouth to speak several times, but I never managed to get any words out. Small talk wasn't really my speciality, especially with Dawson Johnson.
It seemed as if he couldn't stand the uncomfortable silence any longer either, after ten minutes Dawson spoke up.
"I wasn't expecting to see you here." His words were honest, his head not lifting from his work.
"Guess I could say the same. You'd think money could buy you anything in a town like this, I never thought you'd ever step foot in a detention." I replied, my tone obviously passive aggressive.
For the first time since Mr. Sloane left, Dawson lifted his gaze and focused on me. His eyebrows were raised, a familiar sense of amusement covered his features. "You say that as if you weren't listening in on my conversation fifteen minutes ago."
"I didn't hear anything." I lied poorly.
Dawson rolled his eyes. "Yeah, okay."
"Okay, maybe I heard a little bit. Who were you talking too?" I asked in genuine curiosity, setting my book to the side. I wasn't expecting Dawson to tell me, and by his bored expression I figured I guessed correctly.
"I'll tell you that if you tell me why you're here." Dawson began to work again.
I sighed. "Hate to disappoint, but I was just late to class, nothing interesting." Dawson nodded, seeming uninterested. His attitude bothered me, vague and arrogant.
"I was talking to my Dad's assistant. I was supposed to be in Chicago by five for a dinner and conference tomorrow. I'm surprised you didn't know, I thought Wells was supposed to be there with his parents too." While his voice was monotonous and unbothered, his words involuntarily caused my eyes to widen.
"Haha, very funny, Kaden's parents aren't in Chicago, they're in Runswick." I rolled my eyes. Dawson seemed to enjoy getting under my skin by bringing up Kaden, since he did it in every conversation we had.
"Haha, I wasn't making a joke." He shot back, although his tone didn't waiver. "Kaden's parents are with mine. I know for a fact they've been in Illinois for a week."
Still, Dawsons blue eyes remained on the sheet in front of him. My stomach sank.
Kaden had been absent a majority of the week and when he's been here, he's exhausted. It didn't add up, he had no reason to lie to me.
"That's impossible, Kaden's been gone all week because his parents are here." I defended.
He let out an emotionless laugh. "Avery, I literally gain nothing from lying to you about this. Chicago is hosting a conference tomorrow with executives from various large companies. Spot, Marble Fashion, Glaze, etc."
I stared at him blankly, Dawson continued. "Kaden's parents, like mine, have been there all week in business meetings. I don't know what he told you, but he's lying."
"And why should I believe you?" I snapped, though Dawson didn't even flinch.
"I couldn't care less if you did. You've gone this long trusting Kaden blindly, I wouldn't expect you to stop now." Dawson scribbled mindlessly onto his homework. It was like he didn't even have to think about the answer.
"What the fuck do you have against him anyways? So what he outgrew your destructive lifestyle, get over it." I raised my voice slightly, admittedly trying to distract myself from the obvious elephant in the room.
What if Dawson was telling the truth?
Still, he looked unbothered. "He's a pathological liar. I don't know what he's told you, nor do I care." He took a break, finishing the last question on his paper. "But I can assure you, he lied to you. And he'll do it again."
I took a moment to soak that in, to really absorb his words. "Why would I trust you over Kaden?"
"I'm not asking you too, this is a really pointless thing for me to lie about though." Dawson shifted through his backpack, grabbing his phone. Typing rapidly for a few moments, he tossed it to me.
"Think fast." He stated, while I quickly captured his phone in my hands.
Looking at the screen, I noticed a group of stone faced business people. They all stood next to each other, looking professional.
To my dismay, Thomas and Marilyn Wells were amongst them. Dawson seemed to notice my expression drop. "Don't be so quick to judge, Avery. I get why you think I'm an asshole, but at least I'm not a liar."
He sounded bored, and it pissed me off. "So you're telling me that you and Kaden are the same? A liar, and an asshole."
For the first time all day, I was finally able to drag some emotion out of Dawson. "We're not the same." He snapped.
"I'm done talking about this." Dawson spoke again, in a far more relaxed tone.
I had no response, because I admittedly felt guilty. Dawson pulled a book from his backpack, and began to turn the pages. I wanted to apologize, because Dawson hadn't done anything wrong. To be fair, he was a douche whose company I didn't enjoy. On multiple occasions, he had been unnecessarily rude and arrogant.
That doesn't mean I should return the favor.
However, every time I went to speak, my voice died in the back of my throat.
An hour passed in dead silence, and the uncomfortable feeling in my stomach didn't die out.
Kaden had lied to me, and I hated to admit it. I couldn't help but wonder what else he's lied about.
Before I knew it, Mr. Sloane entered the room. My eyes shot to the clock. It was already four thirty.
"You're free to go." He huffed, exiting immediately. Dawson didn't say anything, he shoved his stuff into his backpack and pulled it over his shoulder.
"Dawson-" I finally called. He stopped for a moment, but he didn't turn to face me. I heard the door shut. I groaned, frantically grabbing my books and chasing after him.
"Wait!" I exclaimed, dread obviously coating my voice.
Dawson turned around, wearing a smug expression. "What do you want, Avery?"
I bit the side of my lip. "I believe you, about Kade. I'm sorry."
"And?" He drawled, raising his eyebrows.
"How do you know theres an 'and'?" I challenged.
"Because there always is." And his bored tone returns.
I avoided eye contact, looking everywhere but Dawson's icy gaze. "Okay, fine. I justâhas Kaden told you anything else that didn't match up? You said he's a pathological liar, why?" My tone was void of aggression and filled with genuine curiosity.
Tilting his head, Dawson seemed surprised by my ask. "I-" He started, than slammed his mouth shut again.
"I don't want anything to do with Kaden. Messing with him is one thing, but this is between you two. You'll figure it out." He sighed, much to my dismay. Without another word, Dawson continued down the hallway and out the door.
I stood in guilt and concern, unable to bring myself to pick up my phone and call Kaden.
However, he beat me too it. A sudden buzz coming from my back pocket scared me, causing me to jump. When Kadens name appeared on the screen, I let out a breath I wasn't aware I'd been holding.
"Hey Kade." I answered nonchalantly, praying my mood was believable.
"Hey. I'll be there in five. Meet me at the front entrance with your car and I'll drive you home from the mechanic." He spoke easily.
I nodded as if he could see me. "Yeah, of course. Thanks for doing this again."
He laughed a little. "No problem, see you then-"
"Wait! I was just wondering, when do your parents leave again?" This time, I knew my voice was solid.
"Monday, thank god." He sighed, believable relief in his tone.
There wasn't as much as a wobble in his voice. I'd never be able to tell he wasn't telling the truth.
"Good luck with that. See you in five." I laughed, though it was to cover up my shakey voice.
"Thanks, I'll need it." Kaden lied.
Authors Note
hiii!! look at me updating again i'm so proud of myself i won't lie HAHAHAHA
ANYWAYS i hope you liked this chapter, it might not be my best but it was so fun to write!! i hope you have a great day & remember that even if you're not seeing it on the media as much, sign petitions, spread awareness and donate towards causes which are trying our country equal.
BLM, no justice, no peace.
also read city lights & icy skies by okayykendall PLS THEYRE SO GOOD!!!