I have three basic rules to live by
Don't draw attention to myself.
Make it through another year.
My brother's friends are off limits.
My junior year, each and every single one of those rules will be broken.
**~~**
Blaine has always been the type to...
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Finn kept to himself for three days. Only talking to us when he had too. I watched from my seat between Cam and Heather as he silently ate his lunch before leaving the cafeteria. Each time he got up, I wanted to follow him. I wanted us to be okay and to talk this out. The last time I had done something this stupid was when I kissed Jasper.
Heather nudged me, "Are you listening?"
"Sorry." My eyes followed Finn. "I have to go and do something."
"Leave him be, Laine," Cam mumbled around a mouth full of corn dog. I looked at him slightly dumbfounded.Cam usually avoided the drama. He was always a good wingman but the second things took a turn he was gone. "You hurt his ego."
"It isn't the first time," Heather scoffed.
"Exactly. This isn't the first time. The first time can be forgiven, it's understandable and can be looked over. The second time it's harder. That trust becomes blurred. He needs time to clear his head and figure out how much trust he still has in you."
"When did you become so wise?" Cam reached around me to shove at Heather. She let out a laugh. As if that sound summoned him, Joseph sat on the other side of my friend and gave a mock warning look at Cam.
"Hands off what isn't yours," Joseph teased as his arm wrapped around Heather. She leaned into him and grinned wildly. It's annoying and suddenly I understood how she felt when Finn and I started dating.
"Hey, Joe," I whispered, trying to decide if I should even ask. When he looked at me, I knew there was no going back. Before I got the words out, Joseph shook his head and lowered it to rest on Heather's shoulder. I let out a sigh. "I'll see you at practice."
The late fall breeze was harsh as it slapped against my face. Going back on promises seemed to be the theme of the week. The walk from school back home was a short one. Even shorter when I used the alley way two blocks from the north parking lot at school. I discovered it last year when I ditched class.
My feet slowed as I neared Finn's street. Stopping at the end of the alley, I scanned the street for anyone who might be able to catch me. The James' driveway was empty. It shouldn't have been a surprise. Finn wasn't as reckless as I was when it came to truancy. My grip on the strap of my bag tightened as I neared my house.
Too busy watching my feet, I failed to notice the car parked on the street. The key was in the door when a throat cleared behind me. I spun around, ready to throw a punch. Freezing on the porch, I did everything in my power to keep a straight face. The woman standing on the walkway was an aged version of the same one who walked out of our lives six years ago.
Turning back around, I twisted the key and opened the door. I pushed it open, yanked my key free then slammed the door in her face. I stormed through the house and to my room. My door slammed as her voice echoed from the living room. It was just the way I remembered; soft and airy. It was the voice that sang me to sleep during storms.
