Chapter 9
The confusion we’renotused to.
Kenzlee~
Iwalked into seventh period just happy to have had no run-ins with the Finelys during fifth period. Sixth period had been okay because I had it with Alex, but I spent the entire time dreading seventh period.
Lunch with Edie had really thrown me for a loop because she was super pro-Talon and Alex hadn’t offered up enough reasons why dating Talon would be a bad idea. As a matter of fact, the more Edie convinced me to date Talon, the more pro-Talon Alex had become.
And it was all so crazy.
I mean, really, really crazy.
I couldn’t deny I was attracted to the guy, because I was. It was the intensity of that attraction that had me scared out of my wits. I didn’t need that kind of distraction. I had real grownup life shit to figure out.
It was one thing to stay with Uncle Allen while I’m in school because school gave off the illusion that I was still a minor, even though I wasn’t. High school made me still seem like a kid. But what about once I graduated? I couldn’t freeload off them after that. I felt like breaking out in hives when he just gave me lunch money as it was.
I needed an after-school job, is what I needed.
Walking into seventh, my eyes immediately went towards the back row. Talon was sitting on the extra chair next to his desk, and a quick scan of the classroom told me Mr. Styles still hadn’t procured an empty desk for me yet.
I walked towards the back of the class because, honestly, I was exhausted. Last night’s lack of sleep had been kicking my ass all day, and the mere thought of trading barbs with Talon, had me feeling exhausted.
I walked my pathetic ass towards his desk and sat down like a defeated soldier. I mean, this thing with him felt like war, after all.
“What’s wrong?” Talon asked as soon as I sat down. “You look tired.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t bother to face him. “Awe, what a good boyfriend you are to notice,” I deadpanned. “You really are the best.” I heard him growl, and I wanted to drop my forehead on the desk.
Repeatedly.
“Cut the shit, Kenzlee,” he grumbled. “What’s wrong?”
I stayed mums.
It might have been immature and ridiculous, but Talon wasn’t my boyfriend regardless of what he said. He didn’t deserve an explanation of my emotions or my appearance. Besides, I could hardly admit to him that I was tired because I’d been thinking of him all night.
“Kenzlee, don’t make me ask you again,” he warned. “You look tired, and I want to know why.”
I turned to face him, surprised-but not surprised, by his audacity. “Maybe I look like crap because you and your ridiculous notions are stressing me out,” I hissed. “You ever think about that?”
“I didn’t say you looked like crap, White,” he hissed right back. “I said you lookedtired. And, if you’re looking tired, there’s a reason why, and I want to know what it is.”
I wondered if I could get my scheduled changed.
When I had gotten my school schedule, I hadn’t even bothered to review it. I trusted the transfer of my school records had gone to the right person to ensure I graduated. Maybe I should schedule a meeting with the school counselor and see if I could rearrange my classes.
Crap.
Reality settled in when I realized I had no idea what Talon’s other classes were. I could very well end up changing my schedule and ending up with him in more of my classes than just the two I had already. Or those two idiot friends of his. Or Edie. Or, hell, I might end up in a class with all four of them.
Suddenly, two classes didn’t seem so bad.
I looked over at him and gave in.
I gave in because…I’m stupid.
Because I’m stupid, and lost, and lonely, and confused, and…desperate.
