Chapter 33: My List of Problems

Chapter 33

My List of Problems

I open my locker and started shoving books into my bag. School had seemed to be three times longer than usual, but now I was on my way to see Titus. I put my sketchbook in with the others. The zipper fell down, and everything spilled out onto the floor.

“Shit,” I whispered, dropping to my knees. I gathered up my books and stuffed them back into my book bag. I reached for my sketchbook, but a hand beat me to it.

I froze. It didn’t take much for me to recognize that it was Chris. I glanced up at him. He didn’t respond and began flipping through it. His friend were chatting around him. I stood and waited. He was taking a rather long time. Long enough that his football buddies started to huddle around.

“Can I have it back?” I rang my shoulder-strap in my hands.

Chris gave a disgusted look and glanced back. They all started to chuckle.

“Well Aden.” He snapped it shut. “You’re sure turned into some freak.” He shoved the book into my chest as he passed.

Gritting my teeth, I kept my head bowed as they all passed. Titus was right; I was blinded by a stupid crush to not see the real Chris.

Exiting the school, I didn’t have the same excitement. It was still bitter sweet to be reminded how things had changed over the summer. I did have Titus now, though, and that was worth it. With a smile, I hurried down the road toward home.

Cars zipped by, and I was really happy to get off the main road. It had been too long, way too long. I was going to have to talk to Titus about waiting weeks between meeting.

Turning down the street nearby my house, I saw the grove up ahead. I broke into a jog and hurried into the trees.

“Titus?” I called. He better not be late.

“Aden.” Titus appeared through the trees, walking toward me.

I dropped my book bag and raced over. He grabbed me and lifted me into the air as I hugged him.

“I missed you,” I whispered.

Titus laughed. “I noticed.” He set me down. “You’re rather excited today.”

I smacked him in the arm. “Don’t be an ass.”

Shaking his head, Titus took me by the hand, and we went to sit down. I grabbed my bookbag, which was sitting nearby and took out my sketchbook.

“What do you have?”

I was losing my nerve. Setting the book on my lap, I thumb through the pages. Finding the one near the end, I handed it to him. “I drew this for you.”

The picture showed a black werewolf lounging on a cliff with the forest down below.

I rubbed my arm. “I thought it turned out alright. Better than most,” I laughed nervously.

Setting the picture to the side, Titus grabbed my chin and pulled me to him. “I love it. Thank you.”

Our lips met. I melted into the kiss. My hands landed on his chest, and ran up to his shoulders. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to him. It was ridiculous the way I was acting. I had become this needy thing just because we hadn’t been together for two weeks. A whole two week, practically nothing.

His hand slid lower, and I was completely fine with it. More than fine with it. I had waited so long to be with him again; Titus was right, I was rather excited.

Titus’s head snapped to the side. It startled me, and I sat back, looking at him confused. Maybe I was getting too carried away.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I heard something.” He stood and marched off toward the road. I quickly followed. A silver dodge was hurrying off down the road. Katy’s blonde head could be seen in the passenger seat with two guys sitting in the back. I knew that truck, and I knew who it belonged to, Chris.

My chest tightened. Titus put his arm around my shoulders.

“Did they see?” I whispered.

He pulled me into a hug and tucked my head under his chin.

The panic was building. If my parents found out, that would be the end of us.

Titus took me back into the trees and sat me down. “It’ll be fine, alright?”

I nodded as he brushed my hair back.

“We’re fine.”

I kept nodding, hoping that it would be true.

***

I walked home with a sense of dread in my heart. Even after Titus did his best to comfort me, I was still hurting. Chris might know. Katy lived nearby, but that was not the road to her house. Had he followed me?

Opening the door, I slipped inside and trudged up the stairs.

“Aden,” called my mother as I reach the top.

I stopped. “What?”

“Do you remember that you grounded?”

With a sigh, I nodded. “So? I didn’t do anything.”

“I called your phone, Aden. I was going to pick you up, so we both could have a word with your math teacher. You didn’t answer. I called the school, they told me someone had seen you leave over an hour ago, Aden Perri.” She pursed her lips. “It doesn't take that long to walk home.”

I shrugged. “I didn’t feel like hurrying.” I turned to leave.

“I drove to and from the school three times,” she snapped. “I never saw you, Aden. No tell me right now, where have you been?”

Shaking my head, I shuffled to my room.

“Aden!”

I quietly closed the door and went to my bed. Tossing my bookbag to the side, I flopped down on it and curled into a ball. My math grade was far down the list of all my problem. One that seemed to keep growing.

***

“Aden get up!” My mother knocked on the door. “I’m better not have to come up here again, young man.”

I didn’t move and just stared at the wall. If Chris knew would he tell the school? Then the teachers would hear, and it would find its way back to my parents. My dad would know without a second thought who that mysterious person Chris Harper and his gang saw me kissing. Titus would get in trouble with the pack. Xavier would might make my family move, or banish us from the area.

Groaning, I pulled a blanket over my head. I had caused so many potential problems in one day.

“Aden!”

I sighed. And my mother was mad at me.

“I’m up!” I called back, crawling out of bed. Going to my closet, I grabbed some old jeans and a hoodie. After getting dressed, I hurried downstairs to put my shoes on.

My mom was fuming. After yesterday and this morning, I would be too. I was still surprised she didn’t tell my dad.

“Get in the car.” She shoved a napkin with some toasted wrapped inside it into my hand. “Now.”

Grabbing my bookbag, I did as she said and slipped into the passenger seat. I nibbled on my toast as I waited. She marched out sooner after, and we were quickly on our way.

“Stay after school today,” she said firmly. “We’re talking with Mr. Philips.”

“‘kay.” I finished my breakfast and crunched up the napkin.

We drove in silence for a mile or two.

“What’s wrong, Aden? You’re not like this.”

“Bad day,” I muttered.

“Did something happen at school yesterday?”

I shrugged. “No one really likes me anymore after the fight with Chris. It’s fine, though.” I took a deep breath. “I’ll get over it.”

She smiled at me. “If you need to talk.”

“I know.”

The car stopped outside the school.

I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Bye, mom.”

“Have a good day, Aden.”

Opening the door, I stepped out. I waved as she pulled away from the curb. Today was going to be awful, I could already tell. Flipping up my hood, I marched inside and went straight to my first class.

I’d just avoid Chris. I’d make it through the day without seeing him, so he won’t be able to confront me. I went to my desk in the back corner and slumped down. I could lie. That’s it, I’d just deny being there. I’m grounded at the moment, so that should be an okay excuse. Groaning, I rested my head on the desk and wrapped my arms around my face. Please god, just make them forget that I even exist.

***

The bell rang, ending my class right before lunch. I slowly packed up my things as everyone else left. I already had a plan. I’d skip lunch and just hid behind the school. No one went back there usually, so there’d be no chance of Chris finding me. This would work. I prayed all morning that it would, so it better.

I hurried out into the hall. I didn’t stop at my locker and headed straight to the back exit.

“Aden,” called a familiar voice.

I slowed and debated my options. Make a run for it like a scared wimp and look very, very guilty, or face him and test out my acting skills. I glanced over my shoulder to see Chris with his usual group. Run for it won.

Andrew blocked my way before I could escape. Chris caught up with Katy and Jack right behind him.

“Hey,” said Chris. “Thought you might want to go to lunch with us.”

I shook my head. “No, sorry. I’m… well…” I glanced around and saw the math room. “I’m failing math, so I have to go meet up with Mr. Philips.” I tried to slip through a small gap, but Andrew and Jack quickly closed it.

“It’ll be fun though,” said Chris. “We’re still friends, right?”

There was nothing sincere about anything he said.

“Yeah, of course.” This time I used some force to get passed them. “But like I said, I have to go meet with Mr. Philips, so I can’t.”

Chris grabbed my bookbag and jerked me back. “I think you should come,” he said firmly.

The look in his eyes scared me. He wasn’t going to let me go.

I nodded. “‘kay. I’ll just do it after school.”

Chris forced a smile. “Alright then. Let’s go.”