They must have realized that too, because they’re fast asleep in their bed. Sleeping soundly even though I was out all night.
It hurts, but fuck them.
I walk to my room—their spare room—I grab an outfit and go to the bathroom to clean up before school. Maybe I’ll leave before they wake up and just go camp out at school until it starts.
That sounds like a better plan than hanging around here.
The day went by uneventfully, but it felt like there was a sword hanging over my head the whole day. Asher had two classes with me, so he sat next to me and chatted every so often. He even walked me to the class between the two we had. It was nice. He’s a cool guy, full of ambition and want.
He talked the whole passing period about this business idea he has that he’s going to start working towards.
Tattooing.
Sounds pretty fucking cool to me. Something I’d want to do if I could get better at drawing.
Lunchtime rolled around and Ty was standing against the wall, waiting for me when the bell rang. A smile grows when I see him and the smirk on his face grows when he sees me.
“Hey,” he says softly, lazily, but I can see the excitement in his eyes.
“Hey back.” I nudge him with my elbow, taking his hand in mine and leading the way. Ty trails behind me with an expression that tells me he’s happily being dragged. “Where were you this morning?”
It didn’t miss my attention that he wasn’t in homeroom this morning. My whole heart had sunk through my chest when he wasn’t sitting towards the back. But then Asher made an effort to sit by me in the next class and explained that Ty had something he had to do, so I’d see him at lunch.
“Let’s get food and go to our place,” I tell him, wanting to bethere.
“Yes,” he nods, saying the word with a sigh of relief. I giggle—did I just fucking giggle?—and hold his hand tighter as he wraps his arm around my waist, suddenly hurrying us along. Just as we get to the cafeteria, the intercom crackles to life.
“Roxanne Westin, to the office. Roxanne Westin, to the office,”the bored secretary says and my stomach drops.
This is it.
My smile drops immediately and I look to Ty. He looks like he’s seen a ghost, his mouth snapping shut and the muscle in his jaw clenching.
“Maybe it’s nothing,” I say, trying to wipe the look of devastation and defiance off his face. He wants to fight it, fight for me.
And I’m pretty sure I could fall in love with him just for that.
I’m pretty sure I’m more than halfway there already.
“Roxie,” he says softly.
“I know.”
He clenches his hands at his sides, breathing heavily through his nostrils as he tries to control his anger.
“Just…don’t go,” he offers.
“I have to,” I reply softly. “Go grab me a ramen and I’ll be right there.”
I have to give him a reason to leave. A tell that he will see me again.
“Promise?” he asks, and I see Asher come around the corner, looking around frantically.
He makes eye contact with me as I look over Ty’s shoulder.
He knows.
I can’t not go. And I can see that Asher understands it. His shoulders drop and his eyes close in reluctant acceptance. He starts walking our way and I breathe a little easier. Asher will be there for Ty.
