16
- I wish; Cher Lloyd ft. T.I. -
Aurora Holland
My eyes stared at the clock on my phone, my stomach dropping each and every second that it got closer to the beginning of school. I'd yet to hear anything from Paige, and because the plan was for her to be my ride each day, I knew nothing about the bus route.
It could have already come, or still have a few minutes until it arrived. But I don't even know where the bus stop would be.
Finally, my phone buzzed. I didn't hesitate to look and see who it was, frowning when I saw what it said.
Paige:
Can't get you. Sorry
I sighed as I typed my message out, not hesitating to press send.
Why did you wait so late to let me know? Are you still mad at me?
She didn't respond, not that I expected her to. My parents and Jason had already left for the day, with me telling them that Paige was running a little late. That was a good enough explanation and they left the house, leaving me here all alone to wait.
My thumbs scrolled mindlessly through the screen, stopping for a second once I heard honking outside. I ignored it, knowing it wasn't meant for me.
Paige wasn't getting me, and I had no backup plan. It would take at least an hour to walk to school considering I don't really know where I'm going, and so I feel as if I should just skip school.
But would that really be something I would do? Skip school on my second day of school when I have new classes to attend.
No, it wouldn't.
A sudden knocking on the door brought my thoughts together, and my eyebrows pushed together as I stood up from the couch. I made my way to the front door and opened it without taking a glance beforehand.
Logan stood on the other side, patiently waiting on our porch. He was wearing his letterman jacket, the same one I saw him in yesterday. Underneath he wore a blue T-shirt, the color navy. Jeans hugged his legs perfectly, a lanyard sticking out of the left pocket.
"Logan?" I asked in confusion, realizing I was just standing there staring at him.
"Hey, Rora." He greeted, "I'm here to take you to school."
"Why?" I immediately asked without thinking. My face flushed with heat as I realized how mean that sounded, and I cleared my throat. "Like-- what made you do that when Paige usually gets me?"
"Paige can't get you today, right?" He asked.
"How'd you know?" I questioned in return.
"She texted me and asked if I could get you today because she wasn't available. I swear I'm not a creep." He held his hands up in defense, and I laughed slightly as my fingers fiddled with the doorknob.
"Well, it's nice of you to swing all the way here to get me," I told him after a moment of not responding, feeling butterflies swarm in my stomach at the gesture.
It was nice enough for Paige to find someone to give me a ride to school, no matter how mad she was at me. It just goes to show Paige is going to eventually get over this little hissy fit of hers, whether what I said was true or not.
Maybe I was a little harsh, the more I think about it. Paige has been in the dating game way longer than I have, considering I'm still not any part of it. She knows how to flirt, and knows how to win her way into a guy's heart. Just because I don't see Carter's interest in her, doesn't mean he's not interested. After all, she did sit here and tell me he was untouchable, and from the way the other's made it sound it was hard to convince him of things he didn't want to do.
Yet he continued to go to the mall with us when she asked, and she even rode in his car and dropped her off at home.
Maybe this was part of her little game. Make her seem interested in him because she is, then when he shows interest have him chase her to win her over. I've seen it countless times, and every time she's gotten her way.
She knows what she's doing, and I don't. It's simple as that.
"Oh, it's nothing. Have you had breakfast?" Logan asked, breaking me out of my thoughts. It was then I realized I hadn't really said much, and instead was just standing here looking like an idiot.
"It's nothing, yet you live on the opposite side of town and have to pass the school to get here," I told him with a raised eyebrow, locking the door. I stepped out of the house and shut the door behind me, the August wind blowing through my straightened hair as I stood between Logan and the door. I got a whiff of his perfume thanks to the breeze, and as usual, he smelled amazing.
"As I said, it's nothing." He shrugged, finally turning and beginning to make his way to the end of the yard where his Jeep was parked.
I followed silently, not responding. He passed the front of the car to get to the driver's seat, and as soon as I heard him unlock the car I didn't hesitate to swing the door open and jump in.
"You didn't answer my question," Logan spoke up again as I buckled up, the boy buckling himself in as he talked.
"What question?" I asked, glancing at him for a moment. His eyes were on the road as he'd already started driving at this point, watching his surroundings carefully. His brows were pushed together very slightly as he was focused, and the way the morning sunlight shined in the car caused me to get a better view of his eye color.
His eye color was a very deep brown, much darker than Carter's which had the honey flecks. Logan's, however, was still just as beautiful. I could see the pools of a rich brown as the sunlight hit them perfectly, but before I could admire it a little longer he pushed the visor down.
This blocked out any sunlight hitting his face, meaning the beautiful color I got a hint of was gone as the light wasn't hitting it anymore.
Dang.
"Are you hungry?" He repeated his question from earlier, and it was then I realized I did just blatantly ignore him when he asked me that moments ago.
"Oh, not really," I told him with a shrug. I couldn't help but continue to stare at him, taking in his right side profile. I know it's probably coming off as creepy or weird, but he was so beautiful.
Point Prep never had boys that looked like this.
Even Asher, who I thought I was absolutely in love with for the longest time didn't affect me in this way.
Logan's eyes danced to me for a second, catching me staring at him. I felt my cheeks heat up as they usually did when I was around him, and I just looked to my right out of the window. "My parents have been making breakfast daily," I continued the conversation, doing anything to make him not mention the fact that I was openly looking at him.
"Sounds nice," He said.
"Most would think so," I responded out of habit.
When you think of family getting together and eating breakfast together every day, you think of happy thoughts. Making memories, joking, laughing. Getting to know what's going on in each other's lives and bonding to a point where you don't feel closer to anyone else.
Unfortunately, it's not like that in our household. I would say it's not like that at the Holland household, but that's not true.
Because Paige's father is my father's brother, there are two Holland households. Hers is exactly what you think of when you think of breakfast with your family. Murphy Holland's household is the epitome of the perfect family, and that's not exaggerating either.
Harold Holland's household, on the other hand? Nothing as you'd expect. My parents can sit and put up as many fronts as they can, but it's not going to change the fact that our family is nothing like Uncle Murphy's.
"Did your mom say more?" Logan asked, taking me by surprise.
My eyes bounced over to him, seeing he was looking at me already. He was slouched back in his seat slightly since we were stuck at a train, one that seemed to be going slower than molasses. He'd even put the car in park since we'd been here for a while, and I hadn't even noticed due to being stuck in my own thoughts.
"It doesn't matter whether she did or didn't," I admitted, looking back down at my lap.
My left thumb grazed over the healing cuts from the day before, the skin all ugly and welted. I wanted to pry at it again and open the cuts back up but didn't as I knew that Logan was watching me.
"It does, Aurora." Logan softly said. I didn't look at him, not wanting to get all emotional. He wasn't supposed to witness what he did yesterday, so I really shouldn't be having this conversation with him.
"You can go," I said as I noticed the light had changed and the train was long gone. He was able to go as the car in front of him had already moved ahead.
Logan glanced at me for a moment longer before putting the car in drive and continuing on toward the school. It suddenly felt like the drive was super long, but in reality, it really wasn't. I just felt suffocated in the car, and it wasn't Logan's fault.
He didn't know how hard it was for me to usually open up to someone, let alone a boy like him. The only guy I've ever opened up to was my father, and even then that was a bit of a stretch as I feel I can't be as honest with him as I want to be.
What goes to him eventually leads back to my mother, and that's the last thing I want.
"You know it's okay if you don't want to talk, I didn't mean to shove into your personal life," Logan spoke up after a few moments, seeming to feel the tension. "I get I wasn't supposed to witness that and that's okay, I'll never bring it up again if that's what you want. I'd just like you to tell me so I know."
I was shocked at Logan's words. I knew this boy for not even an entire week, but he was making being friends with him so easy. Despite the butterflies he still gives me when he talks to me, I felt like I was slowly loosening up and getting used to him. He was a great guy, 'untouchable' or not. He's definitely making my move to Riverway much more manageable, especially considering my mother and even Paige aren't.
"Thank you," I softly said, not knowing what else to say. Realizing that I should say more, I let out a slightly frustrated sigh as he parked in the school parking lot.
It was in the same spot he'd parked in yesterday, meaning I could see Paige's car in the distance.
"Have something on your chest?" He asked, noticing I'd yet to move.
"I just don't know how to talk..." I said.
"I think you're talking quite well," He cheekily said, smiling wide. His body was turned to me slightly, putting his full attention on me. This only made the butterflies go wild, my cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
"I mean... like..." I trailed off, twirling the ring on my finger. "To boys," I finally admitted. "I've never had a friend besides Paige, so this is all new to me. I don't know how to express anything correctly, because I've never been put in this position. I know it's weird but it's true and so sometimes I just don't know how to respond or what to say or how to feel."
"You can feel however you want, Rory." Logan assured, "As a matter of fact you can even respond how you want. Don't care about what I'll think, it's about you."
"Thanks," I softly said.
"We should probably get in there. It's Day 2 of classes and you haven't attended these yet," He unbuckled, causing me to follow and do the same.
He was right. I'd been so caught up with Paige and my family life I hadn't even given much thought to the fact that this was Day 2 of the Day 1-Day 2 schedule. Meaning I was having to attend four new classes as if it were the first day all over again.
I exited the car, pulling my heavy backpack on my back. I still needed to get to my locker and put away the textbooks I wouldn't need and grab my new ones. I'm still super thankful that Cameron helped me as much as he did yesterday, it made me feel better about the nerves of being late to class cause I couldn't find a place as simple as the Library.
"What classes do you have today?" Logan changed the subject as we walked side-by-side. People stared, something I noticed yesterday when Paige and I walked with him.
Knowing it was simply because I was standing by Logan, I just stared down at my feet as I walked. "Creative Writing, Calculus, AP Art History, and P.E." I answered quickly.
"You already memorized your schedule?" Logan asked in disbelief, seeing I didn't even bother fishing the beat-up paper from my backpack.
"My mom," Was all I responded with, my eyes continuing to stay on the ground.
"Logan!" A feminine voice shouted from not too far away, and I glanced up to see Logan glancing around for the person who'd called after him. A smile eventually fell on his features as he saw the person getting his attention, his right hand waving high in the air.
"Hey, Lex!"
I watched as a beautiful brunette made her way over to us, a giant smile covering her flawless features. She had long hair, but it was tied into a high ponytail. Her complexion was a soft pale color, her cheeks with a natural pink tint as she seemed to be wearing no makeup at all. Her eyes were a honey brown, reminding me of Carter's eyes.
However, where his were a deep brown with honey flecks, hers were a complete honey color. They were mesmerizing to look at in all honesty.
She met up with us, not noticing that I was sheepishly standing beside Logan. She looked at him with joy, her hands holding onto a giant gym bag. "I'm going to the salon this weekend," She stated. "I've decided to go with your advice and do the honey golden brown instead of the bright blonde."
Logan nodded in excitement. I suddenly felt insecure and as if I had no purpose in the conversation, so I went to head toward my locker to relieve my back of some of the weight.
"Oh, wait, Aurora!" Logan called after me as I'd only gotten about three feet away.
I turned around with pink cheeks, glancing between him and the girl he called Lex. She looked at me with a giant smile, already a much kinder look than most of the girls at Riverway had given me.
Especially since the Carter rumor yesterday.
"Aurora, this is my best friend Alexa. But you can call her Lex." He introduced.
"Or Lexi, I'm not too picky!" The girl exclaimed, holding her hand out. I shook it kindly, smiling at her.
"Nice to meet you,"
"Nice to meet you too! I've heard a lot about you between Logan and the others, but I've been busy with dancing so I haven't had a chance to hang out." She explained, "I would've been at the party this past weekend but I had a recital."
"That's okay," I said as if I had any right to say whether or not it was okay she'd been there. "I'm going to head to my locker, I need to switch some books around. I'll see you later." I told Logan with a soft smile.
"Wait, you want me to walk you?" He offered.
"No, thank you though. You've already done enough. Thank you for the ride." I told him again, turning and beginning to weave my way through the sea of students.
Now that I wasn't around Logan or any of his friends, I was getting bumped left and right by everyone in the hallway. Nobody cared to notice that I was trying to walk through, probably because I wasn't as known or liked the way that Paige and Logan were.
When I successfully made it to my locker, I sighed as I felt I could finally breathe. I just needed to get through today, then I can go home and do homework and wallow in my own sadness. I know I thought the same thing yesterday, but it wasn't planned for Logan to show up. And as long as I don't leave anything in his car, there should be no reason for him to show up in my room like that.
I mean, I'm grateful, considering he stayed in what I thought he'd walk out for. Nobody had ever witnessed my mother do anything like that, and I guarantee if they had, they wouldn't stay around and try to make me feel better in the way that Logan had. He didn't have to do it, but he did and I'll forever thank him.
When the door to my locker swung open, a piece of paper flew out. It fell to the floor, and I quickly snatched it up before it could get caught in the mass of students passing by. I looked both right and left to see if anyone was watching, but I was unnoticed as I usually was.
My brows furrowed as I opened the neatly folded paper, a neat yet simple note written on the inside.
tu es magnifique aujourd'hui
I don't know what it says, all I know is it's written in French. This is no use to me because out of all the extracurricular classes I've taken, French isn't one of them.
Frowning, I shoved the note in the front pocket of my backpack to look at later when I had time. I was currently running out of time to switch my textbooks and get to my first class of the day, one which I actually felt excited to attend.
Creative Writing.
As soon as I exchanged textbooks, I made my way to my class. I still didn't know where I was going completely, but after a moment of struggle, I finally entered the almost empty class.
I sat at one of the desks near the back, not seeing anyone I knew. I pulled my belongings from my bag and sat it to the left of me against the leg of the desk chair, beginning to work on an assignment for Ceramics as I waited for class to begin. I didn't work on homework last night due to being at Logan's, and I'm regretting it.
I told Mrs. Rosa I'd have my first draft sketch by tomorrow, and I know I'm already going to get even more homework from today's classes on top of the homework I gathered yesterday. It was important I get this draft done, because the quicker I do that, then the quicker I can get caught up to where Elijah and the others were.
"Can I sit here?" A voice asked, and I looked to my left to see Carter standing next to the desk next to me.
My eyes glanced around the room, seeing that the people who were already in class were staring at us. They were probably confused as to why I'm getting seen back and forth between Logan and Carter, and the attention was almost getting to be too much at this point.
"Why are you here?" I asked, my hands covering the sketch from habit. I hated it when people saw the art I was doing, in fear they would judge it or find different things that need to be fixed about it.
"I have this class," He answered, sitting at the desk anyway.
"Why'd you ask if it was empty if you were going to sit down anyway?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He shrugged, "I didn't think anyone would be sitting here."
"Why?" I asked.
"Want me to answer that?" He asked, his brows raising in return.
"Okay, rude," I muttered, slouching back in my seat.
"I'm just saying, this is your second day here," He spoke as if it were nothing. Then again he was right, I can't just assume everyone and their mother would wanna sit there.
"You're right," I responded, shoving my paper away.
"I know," He spoke with a smirk. "But in all seriousness, I know who's in this class and none of them are people you've met, so in my head, it made sense that nobody would sit here willingly."
"Am I that bad?" I couldn't help but ask from habit, before realizing Carter could be completely honest. "Don't answer that."
I didn't want Carter to be honest, no matter how odd it sounded. Besides the night we first met we've barely talked. I can barely muster out a sentence, it's like now that I've opened up to him I feel he's going to judge me. Knowing he can say anything along the lines of the truth will hurt my feelings, and I know that. Why put myself in a position where his words can hurt me? It'll do nothing but damage my mental.
"I know how students are at Riverway," He answered despite me telling him not to. "It's not you, it's them."
"Well, that doesn't make me feel any better," I said.
"I never said it was supposed to." He was quick to respond, catching me off guard.
The bell rang, cutting our conversation short. I was glad, as I was being serious to myself about doing nothing but focusing on work today. I planned on going to the public library after school, I'd even already told my dad at breakfast this morning. I wanted to make sure I stay ahead of schoolwork, and since I didn't work on any at all last night this was the perfect day to do so.
However, before I can focus on catching up on homework, I need to get through these new classes.
++
I'm still adjusting to the first-person POV, so I'm sorry if sometimes things don't make sense <3 This is really out of my comfort zone, but I don't want to stop because it's a challenge, and doing things like this always requires doing challenges sometimes. So bear with me.
Also, I have no idea who Aurora is going to end up with yet, it's kind of up in the air. One second I want her with Logan, the next with Carter and she doesn't even fully know them yet. This is going to be a fun ride for sure.
UPDATE: When I wrote this author's note, I wrote this above ^ that I had no idea who she was going to end up with. Which in a way is STILL true. But after writing up to the chapter I am, and getting more ideas and more sideplots and such to happen, I've got a pretty good idea on who I want her with, which is how I originally intended it in the beginning just in a different way.
Although, it could all still change, depending on how I write out my ideas :)
Also, already have thoughts of a sequel if this story gets too long, but I'm unsure :/ Would do you think?
* This chapter is not edited *
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