Achieving Unbroken
Chapter Forty Seven

—

"I knew when we collided, you're the one I have decided
Was one of my kind"
Hey, Soul Sister | Train

—

Lilla
[Thursday, September 6th, 2018 - First Day Of Senior Year]

I get to school early this morning, as I always do. Today is especially important though, it's the first day of senior year, and the first day that Jason and I's plan is set in motion.

"God, Harris, you weren't kidding around when you said you like to get here early," I hear behind me.

Low and behold, Jason Oakland, everybody.

"You should know by now that I don't kid," I tease as he sits down next to me at the cafeteria table. "What're you doing here so early?"

"I was trying to beat you."

I blink.

"Actually?"

He shrugs, grinning.

"Kinda. I just wanted to get here with you before anyone else got here."

"Oh, and why is that?"

Jason pauses, like he's trying to find the right words, and I look at him with an amused eye.

"I like talking to you." Is all he says. Smirking and shaking my head, I dig in a pocket of my backpack to find the class schedule we got last week.

"What's your first period?" I ask.

"Social sciences with Douglas. I have a headache just thinking about it."

Humming, I look at my schedule, and nod.

"I have him fourth. Anyways, since history and English are in the same building, you are walking me to my first period with Kirkham."

"Ah, yes. And let me guess, we'll hold hands like this—" He uses his left hand to remove mine from the paper and fold our fingers together, palms pressed against each other. "And you'll lean against the wall, and play with my fingers," he brings his face close to mine, lips brushing against my ear as he mumbles the next sentence, "and I'll pretend to whisper something flirty to you and you'll giggle at it, and then we'll share a sappy goodbye as I go downstairs to class."

Heat rushes, not to my face, but all over my body. I feel it in my hands, my stomach, my toes curling when I feel his warm breath grazing my cheek. I pull my face back, slightly, and keep our hands joined.

"Yeah, pretty much," I whisper, distracted by his eyes that are looking into mine like there isn't anything else around us.

Maybe there isn't. Who knows.

"Today," Patrick slides onto a seat across from us and scares us half to death with his loud proclamation. "—is a monumental day, everyone. This is our last first day of school—"

"Unless you're going to college," I chime in. Patrick glares, Jason covers his mouth to hide his laughter.

"Yes, unless you're going to college, but still. Today is our last day of required education and attendance. Of bitchy teachers and mountains of homework. Of strangely scented bathrooms and crowded halls. We're fucking done! This is the best day of my life."

"Gee, just imagine how happy you're gonna be when we graduate." Jason muses, glancing at me. I can't help but let out a small, kind of high-pitched chuckle. Patrick slams his hands on the lunch table in realization.

"Holy shit. You're right!"

We can't hold back our raucous laughter this time. Patrick looks genuinely surprised when Jason brings up graduation, and it's too priceless for words. We are still laughing when Piper walks up, dropping herself in the place next to Patrick instead of me.

Hmm. Note to self: Bug her about that later.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh," I sigh, "just Patrick and his incurable case of senior-itis."

Senior-itis is what our school calls the contagious need to say fuck it and give up on almost everything when students hit senior year. It spreads like an actual disease, but I plan to carry out this year like I do every year.

"God, throwing in the towel already, White?" Piper jokes, nudging Patrick with her shoulder.

"Threw in the towel half way through junior year, Babe." He pretends to yawn, but as he stretches his arms, one casually drapes over Pip's shoulder. She is quick to throw the arm off and hit him on the same arm. "Jesus!" He winces. "You know, I would love if you could be nice to me for one day."

"I wouldn't hold your breath, White."

—

Everyone slowly trickles in, some people embracing in bear hugs after not having seen each other for the entire summer. Our group just says hi and talks like normal, since we saw each other pretty often.

The oh so familiar bell rings to warn us that there's five minutes until class is officially in session.

"Come on," I tug on Jason's arm. "Gotta get ready for the show."

We share a knowing smile, and walk hand-in-hand to the English building, smiling when we notice the glances people are stealing at our touching hands. As we approach my first period English classroom, I pull Jason aside and position myself against a wall of the busy hallway.

His left hand rests on my hip, and it takes more effort than I expected to not melt under that single touch. My eyelids flutter as much as my heart does, but that's all that I allow. My right hand rests on his upper arm, my thumb tracing back and forth across it.

"Is this good?" Jason whispers into my ear, identical to the way that he did it in the cafeteria.

Nodding, I reply with a suddenly dry throat.

"Yeah. Now keep talking."

"We don't have much time, you know."

Faking that he just said something cute or flirtatious, I smile mischievously, pulling his own ear closer to my mouth.

"Oh, I know."

He pulls himself back, a slight pink tinge freckled across his cheeks.

"See you in third?"

Licking my lips, I nod again. I try to prevent my knees from buckling when my eyes catch him staring at my lips when my tongue traces them.

"See you then."

And then, like a separated couple in a chick flick, we part; fingers brushing until the very last second.

—

When I see Jason in our third period math class, I feel flooded with relief, even though I knew he was going to be there. His back is to me, and there's an empty desk next to him, so I jump at the chance to take it. The desks have been arranged in a set of pairs, so two desks are aligned with each other all across the room.

"Hey," I quietly acknowledge. "How's your day been so far?"

His face brightens, only the littlest bit, when he sees that I'm there.

"It's been good. Cool people in social that I can befriend, so it won't be as miserable as I was expecting. Second period was gym, so I could give or take. What about you?"

"Same for me. My English teacher is really cool, and then I have second period psych, with some of my friends."

"Good morning, everyone!" Our teacher exclaims from the front of the room. "As I hope all of you are, I am very excited for this school year. Now, we will be reviewing our class syllabus today and tomorrow, but first I want to show you the seating chart that I have arranged. You will have these seats for... Well, as long as it takes for me to get the free time to make a new one."

On the large screen at the front of the classroom, a chart that replicates the classroom setup is displayed, and I immediately notice that the seating arrangements have been set up alphabetically. By last name.

Very predictable, but still, a girl can dream.

I'm next to a girl named Casey who I have known since junior high. We have never really been friends, she's not the talkative type, so this isn't the worst person to be next to.

Jason is closer to the front than I am, and I see him sneak a glance back at me before fumbling with his phone in his lap. When he's done, he looks back at me.

Curious, I discretely pull my phone from the purse in my lap and see a notification from Jason.

Jace: So, this is how it's gonna have to be for awhile, huh?

Me: :( I guess so.

Jace: Whatever. Kinda sucks, but I at least get to see you. :)

Don't smile. Don't smile. Don't fucking smile!

He looks back at me, a small smile dancing on his lips.

"Excuse me?" Our teacher, Mrs. Terrell, questions, eyes locked on Jason. "Young man, is there something more interesting in the back of the class?"

He clears his throat.

"No, mam."

Fuck. Now I'm smiling.

"Then please keep your attention up front."

My phone lights up in my lap.

Jace: Shit. Major ass kissing in order now :/

Me: Lol. You can do it. You do it all the time w me, anyway ;p

Jace: Oh come on. You know that I mean every word I say to you.

Me: Of course I do, dork. Now, eyes off your lap and to the front! I'd get started on that ass kissing asap ;)

Maybe we don't get to sit next to each other, but I'm almost completely convinced that text flirting during class is going to be much better.