after my talk with Mr Malcolm I decided to hide in the library with my face shoved in a book to try and prosses the information.
I missed almost all of first and second period so lunch was next and my stomach was starting to hurt, I had passed on breakfast due to my parents announcement.
I wish I had grabbed a power bar or something because despite my happy go lucky attitude I was super stressed and didn't feel like dealing with people or my friends.
sitting in silence for a bit my stomach started growling loudly. I guess I would have to just grin and bare it and hope for uneventful lunch period.
I put the book down and got up from my chair to walk to the cafeteria I saw Thomas in there waiting for his meal he smiled as soon as he saw me walking towards him. He stood up and hugged me
"how'd your morning go with your new boyfriend" I teased
"haha it was alright I guess" blush rose in my face thinking about Mr Malcolm and how close he had got to me.
"so....you ready to eat today?" he smiled at me and I nodded enthusiastically
"well we better find our table before everyone else does" we headed to the lunch line and grabbed two trays each. The wait for us was relatively quick we sat down together at our usual table and started eating as quickly as possible.
Thomas hated eating around all these people too, I was surprised when I didn't see the rest of the hockey teams I was at least expecting to see Julie and Manda, they were the only girls from my team that shared lunch with me and Thomas.
" hey where is everyone?" curiosity taking over my mind.
"they said they had to leave early" he shrugged and took a bite of his food, I nodded and picked at my chicken nuggets before speaking again.
"well I guess we need to work on getting ready for practice tomorrow I'm not exactly a star player and I don't want to be a disappointment" I stated
Thomas let out a rumbling laugh
"what are you talking about your literally the best player in the whole district I bet you could even play with the boys!" joked Thomas.
"yeah sure " I giggled shoving a fry in my mouth.
"no for real tho ray your amazing" he smiled giving me a wink
and I blushed once more.
Just as I was about to speak our conversation was cut short by a group of 3 girls coming our way.
"oh hi Raven!" greeted the tallest one with long brown hair and bright blue eyes her name is Marissa and she seems nice and friendly.
"hey Marissa" I replied smiling.
We talked for awhile about how my parents had been planning on going out of town on business and the last thing I heard about them was Marissa telling me about her upcoming birthday party which she wanted me to come too. It would be fun I think.
When the bell rang signaling it was time to go to English class Marissa and her friends all waved goodbye to us as they walked off.
"hey Raven wanna skip first block and take the hall pass to the art room?" He offered
"I'd love to" I replied smiling back at him happily.
We both quickly stood up grabbing our things and ran out the doors to the hall.
When we arrived to the art room it was empty except for us as I turned towards Thomas.
"well lets get to painting now huh?" I laughed.
"hey ray? are you okay?"he asked while he set up an easel, Thomas may be a big dumb jock but he painted the most beautiful things his art makes me feel better every time I see it.
"yeah I'll be fine" I replied
"I just have a lot to think about"
he nodded and began priming his canvas,
"well what did you and Mr Malcolm talk about? I was sick to my stomach all morning thinking about how I got you in trouble" he admitted.
"don't worry I didn't get in trouble we just talked about college stuff I just found out I can't go anymore and he's trying to help get me into Ardmore" I sighed thinking about it,
"wait what? why can't you go anymore ray I thought gran set you up?" Thomas looked at me sadly and I groaned internally and decided to just tell him everything.
"so that's why I can't go now" I finished talking Thomas didn't interrupt at all not even once,
but the look on his face was unreadable and he suddenly slammed his his fist into the wall, causing me to flinch back.
"what the fuck how can they do that to you!?!" anger radiating out of him ,
"it's okay I've decided to work so I can pay the tuition" I told him which just made him more upset.
"ray I think Mr Malcolm's plan will work" he says without a hint of humor.
"um Thomas Im not going to pretend to be a man just to play hockey" tears forming in my eyes.
"well what else are you going to do!?"
"I don't know! That's the problem Thomas I just don't know what else I am going to do!" I yelled frustratedly wiping my tears away.
"Raven please think about it I'm going to Ardmore I'll keep you safe it will work!" he pleaded desperately,
I stared at him for a minute and took a deep breath before saying anything,
"I'm not good enough to get in on my own what makes you think I'll make it in the team" I questioned him.
he came towards me wrapping me in bear crushing hug.
" because you are a monster in the rink better than even me your not just the captain for nothing" he said softly pulling back and giving me a smile"I know you can do it and I'll be by your side the whole time I promise" he reassured me.
My eyes softened and I smiled back he always had a way of making me feel better no matter how much I hate showing my weakness
"you mean it?" I replied then something hit me and I looked up at my bestie eyes wide.
"wait Thomas you got into Ardmore!!!!??" I was beyond excited he wasn't the smartest but if anyone deserves to go to college it's him.
"yup got my letter Saturday morning" he was smiling ear to ear.
he finally let me go and walked back to his canvas,
" I'm telling you we got this you can do it you have such a flat body anyway you can definitely pass for a guy" Thomas joked.
"well at least we won't get kicked out of Ardmore University, right?"I chuckled
he gave me a small smile then we both went silent I watched as he focused intently painting what I realized now was a picture of me skating and him smiling with pride. I guess I'm going to college I'll have to tell Mr Malcolm.