A LOST BEAR

Monday January 11th, 3 days after 18th Birthday

3 days after 18th Birthday

Indy keeps glancing at me.

I can feel it every time he does it.

"You really should watch the road Indy. We don't want to crash the car on my first day back."

I don't even glance up from my book, but I hear Indy chuckle.

I smile.

Being around him isn't the same as it was.

But it's good.

A new normal.

Indy pulls up to the school.

We came extra early.

Barely anyone is here.

Indy insisted.

He said it would be easier to avoid too many questions.

The attack on me caused a big stir apparently.

I'm glad my parents pulled me out of school.

No dealing with that fall out.

Fuck.

I sigh.

My eyes focus on the entrance.

Maybe I should have stayed at home.

Stayed away from the drama.

The whispers.

The stares.

"She's not going to be here."

Indy's watching me.

"Who?"

That earns me an eyeroll.

"The soulless bitch who attacked you. She was expelled and put under house arrest. After that there has been a weird vibe in the school, like something has shifted. Trust me, no one is going to mess with you. They might stare a little, but no will hurt you again."

That's worse.

In a way.

I hate attention.

I just want to be left alone.

With another sigh, I get out of the car.

Indy walks with me to my locker.

He's being weird.

Hovering.

Looking around.

Not running off to the computer lab.

Like he's waiting for something to happen.

I'm about to ask him why he's being weird when I hear a familiar, gruff voice behind me.

"Hey there Little Genius."

Nuka.

It's been three weeks since I've seen him.

His scent floods my senses.

Warm apples and cinnamon.

So strong I can taste it.

Our eyes meet as I turn around.

Oh....

FUCK.

I'm shocked.

Nuka stands so close.

His hands in his pockets, watching me closely.

Waiting for a reaction.