I casually turn back around. Aubrey turns her head towards me. "He's coming this way!"
"He might just be passing by," I say hopefully with a shrug. Aubrey raises a mocking eyebrow. Mere seconds later I feel a presence behind me. I tense.
No, No. No!
I don't turn around. He's so close I can feel his body heat. He smells like cinnamon and freshly brewed coffee. I close my eyes and bask in his scent. A cough snaps me out of my trance. Aubrey's smirking at my reaction. It came from behind me. Slowly but cautiously I turn my body towards him. By now, the whole cafeteria had their eyes glued on us. Some even had their phones out. I drift my eyes towards him. He was waiting patiently and his lips were set in a hard line. All the emotion that I'd seen before were nowhere to be seen. His eyes were hard and hollow.
Knowing how stupid I must look I raise an eyebrow as if to ask, What the hell are you doing here?! I try to seem as calm as one can be in a situation like this. When he didn't respond right away I started panicking. Can't he just leave me alone...
Without responding he reaches into his jeans pocket and pulls out a card, one similar to the one he gave me this morning. He hands it to me and I take it without protesting. The faster we get this done, the faster things can go back to normal. I nod and look up. Anything else? I wanted to ask but kept my mouth shut. He shakes his head and I wonder if I said that out loud.
He turns around and stalks off to his usual table where all of his groupies were. Most of them were occupied to staring daggers at me. Rolling my eyes I turn back into my seat. Everyone at my table seemed curios as to what he gave me. Aubrey was leaning over with her head rested in between her hands with a raised eyebrow. Cal was fidgeting next to me and even Ryder seemed mildly curious. I opened my hand in which the card he gave me before rested.
I furrow my brows as I realised it's the exact same card he gave me earlier this morning. Then I notice a slip of paper in a slot in the card. I pull it out and open it. Before I get to read it a cough interrupts me.
"Well...?" Aubrey asks. Excitement was visible in her tone.
I stuff the note inside the pocket of my jeans and show them the card. "It's just his dad's business card. My mom probably contacted their company or something. She is looking for a better job" I lie with a straight face.
"Well then he should've just given it to her then."
"Maybe he just didn't want to go through all the trouble." I counter.
She shrugs and continues to dig into her food. I look down at my own tray suddenly losing my appetite. I gather my things and get up.
"I'm gonna head to the bathroom." I say
Aubrey seemingly occupied with Ryder just nods. I make a face. No matter how many times I see it, my best friend and Ryder sharing spit will never be something I'll get the hang off. Shaking my head I stalk off towards the exit.
Reaching the bathroom I hurriedly shut myself in one of the stalls. Stumbling with my fingers I pull out the now crumpled piece of paper. I smooth out the edges and now look at the neat cursive writing that's scribbled on it, which I assume to be Dante's.
Meet me at the back field after school. I'll go over the details for the job. The faster we get this done, the faster things will go back to normal. ;) -Dante
I frown as I read the note once more. His words seem to mock me. I'm pretty sure I didn't say that out loud. And he gave me this note right after. Confusion swirls inside of me. An unsettling feeling starts to form before I shake it off. I focus on his words.
After school?
A scowl forms on my face as I realise I'd have to come back after my spare. My hand freezes on the lock as I hear voices. Three sets of shoes click against the floor.
"What the hell was that!?" A girl screeches. Her high pith voice makes me wince as it penetrates my ears.
"I know. Who was that girl! I've never seen Dante talking to her before!" Girl number 2 speaks up.
My heart accelerates as I realise they were talking about me. So much for not drawing too much attention.
I waited a moment before I was sure I was alone, before stepping out of the confined stall. I look in the mirror and sigh. My eyes looked dull as if the life had been snuffed out of them, my hair was all over the place, mimicking my emotions. I wash my face and put on the most realistic smile I could offer. Smoothing down my hair I step out of the bathroom just as the bell signaling the end of break rings.
Trudging towards my next class, my eyes yet again feel heavy. I was usually tired today, even with the conspiring events, this was a little far fetched. I enter the classroom and set my head against the desk, slowly feeling my eyes drift to a close.
+++++++++++++
"Miss. Clinton!"
I lift my head immediately at the outburst. My leg getting caught in the legs of the chair as I tumble downwards alongside it. My head hits the ground with a umph.. I look up dazedly as I see a teacher with blond locks staring daggers at me. I smile back at her in response
" Had a nice nap Ms. Clinton" She asks mockingly. Having enough of everyone's sass for today I nod at her.
"Best one I've had in a while." I respond still staring at her from the ground. I hear a round of snickers from the classroom.
Her eyes burn with rage and her self composure from before crumbles.
"Out! Now!" She outright screams whilst pointing towards the door. I shrug grabbing my bag in the process and waddle off. I look back at her once more with a smirk.
"Don't expect me to come back anytime soon." I finish off with a wink. I walk out the door and smile as I hear her calling my name.
I walk to the parking lot and get in my car. I turn the key and the car come to life. I back out of the lot and zoom off from the school. I head towards my favourite cafe's around the corner.
I enter the parking lot and turn on the ignition with a swift turn of a key. I open the door and get out. The neon pink lights of the cafe shining brightly even underneath the sun.
The Boston Barista.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee hits me as I enter. The walls are painted beige and fairy lights are strung around the corners. Fake pot plants are settled on every booth and table and the whole building gives off a modern look. I smile as I make my way to the counter.
Carter's there as usual, his back turned to me. His blond hair shags to the right as he mixes together an order. He turns around and smiles when he sees me. Carter's 19 and done high school as well attends a college near here. He's what you would call attractive with his wavy blond hair and striking ocean blue eyes. He has a good built making it seem like he works out often. But there was always something unsettling about him that I just couldn't put my finger on. I brush off the thought and turn my attention towards Carter once again.
"The usual?" He asks. I nod smiling back.
A couple minutes later he hands me my vanilla cappuccino. I nod him a thanks and move over to the empty booth in the corner.
I take out my phone and scan through my media to pass the time until I have to meet Dante. My breath hitches as I think of what exactly he has in store for me. All I know is that it can't be good. With that thought in mind I go back to surfing on my phone.
After a while I put my phone down and look up at the red antique clock that's perched on top of the table near the counter. That thing always gave me the creeps.
Huh? 2:55...
Shit. There was only 5 minutes left before I had to meet Dante. I jump up from my seat, throw the empty cup in the garbage and literally run out the door. But not before I hear Carter yelling a subtle goodbye. I turn and wave back at him and then continue to run towards my car.
By the time I reached school it was 3:10. I was ten minutes late! Huffing I run around to the back of the school and on to the small field. There he was. He was standing in the distance, one hand tucked in his pocket while the other checking his watch. He had a seemingly annoyed expression on his face.
There was only one thought running through my mind as I make my way over. Oh shit.
His eyes turn to look at me as I make my way over to him slightly out of breath. He looks at me up and down, as if he was literally seeing right through me. I shift under his gaze. His gaze moves and fixes itself onto my face.
"Showing up late for a job meeting?" He chuckles. His deep voice vibrating in the air around us. "Well, that's one way to make a first impression."
I scramble my brain in search for a good excuse" I forgot to keep track of time since I had a spare last period and I wasn't at school to begin with." I finish off my reasoning hoping to have a legit excuse for being late.
He waves his hands off dismissively. " Don't worry about it. I was messing with you. I personally don't really care if you're late or not. Just don't let it happen on the job." He states with a raised eyebrow. I nod eagerly.
"Understood." I reply trying to seem professional. He chuckles at my action and I feel my cheeks heat up.
He takes out his phone and looks through something. His eyes moving side to side. After he finishes he nod to himself and slides the phone back into his back pocket.
"I pulled a few strings and I got you a job to work as a receptionist. I made sure to put you in the building that I work in as well so you can ask me about things that you might not understand." I nod along, listening attentively to what he says.
"Give me your phone." I look at him suspiciously. He rolls his eyes and explains. " So that I can send you the instructions and the address."
I nod, unlock my phone and hand it over to him. He punches in some numbers and hands me back my phone.
"You start tomorrow at 4." I smile realising I'll have plenty of time to rest after school, including my spare.
He isn't that bad... I mean he was nice enough to get me a job even though it was my fault to begin with.
Judging a book by it's cover I guess.
"I get that a lot." He speaks up. I furrow my brows and look up.
Did I say that out loud?
"No I don't think you did." He responds, his eyes twinkling with unsaid secrets. "I'll see you tomorrow then Ms.Laura." Turning around he stalks off, leaving me once again speechless. Chills spread down my body and my curiosity spikes. Though I'm afraid if I dig too deep I might not be able to crawl back up. I turn around walking off the field with one thought rummaging in my mind.
I might not get out of this unscathed.