Nonexistent

~Chapter Twenty-Eight~

After having slept in without an alarm for the past two weeks, waking up to the loud, blaring sound was definitely unpleasant. Groaning, I turned and pressed the off button on my phone, pushing my face back into my pillow for a moment before moving to sit up. Swinging my legs off my low bed, I blinked blearily, trying to wake up the best I could for the early hour.

Getting ready was quick and easy, years of a routine having been so deeply ingrained that it was all muscle memory as I threw things into my backpack and made a small breakfast for myself. My mother was off, nowhere to be found. Popping a bottle of water into my backpack, I heard a horn honk from outside and smiled.

Practically waltzing out the door, I slid my key into the lock before turning to walk down the driveway towards Harper's waiting car. Slipping into the passenger seat, I gave her a grin as she gave me a tight hug. "Ah, I missed you! It has been way too long!" I laughed.

"Harp, it's been three days." She rolled her eyes with a bright smile.

"Three days is way too long. I need my daily Lizzie time." I shook my head softly, glancing down at my pale hands in my lap. When Harper had first become friends with me, she had a hard time not hanging by my side constantly, especially during long breaks when I would turn into somewhat of a recluse. She called it her 'Lizzie time' when she did get to see me, and made an effort to pull me out of whatever hobbit hold I had made myself during the breaks in between school.

The past three days, Harper had been busy with her extended family coming down for a surprise after Christmas visit, so she had had no time to spare to pull me out of my house. It had been a nice break, though, and I had spent the time mostly sketching out a few new pieces.

As Harper drove, she chattered excitedly about the mischief her cousins had gotten into over the past few days. I laughed as she spoke about her younger cousin, Emmanuel, who was a troublemaker in his own right. He constantly played jokes on the family and was hardly ever caught red handed.

Pulling up at school, I let out a small sigh at the sight. The large building was already bustling with students, and I had no desire to join the ever growing pool of people filling the halls. Once Harper had parked, we both hopped out, sharing similar displeased looks at walking into the loud building, although Harper's face was significantly more pleasant than mine.

Her face lightened the closer we got to school, and I watched as she practically bounced her way through the halls to our lockers. As to be expected, a brooding figure was perched, leaning against the locker beside Harpers with a resting face that could rival a statue. Harper practically lit up at the sight of him, speeding up to find herself in front of him while I stopped a few feet away.

Logan's stoney expression cracked at the sight of his exuberant girlfriend, and I chuckled at the sight of the school's resident statue with the resident ball of sunshine. It was an odd pairing, but a good one nonetheless.

We hadn't been standing there long before I left to go drop off a few things in my locker, making the most of the few remaining minutes I had before the bell rang to think on what I would say to Hunter when I saw him.

After our little... mistletoe kiss, Hunter and I had hardly spoken a word to each other, as I isolated myself to give myself a small social break and he was busy with the boys or family. He had sent me a "Happy New Years'" text that I had returned, nothing else though.

I wasn't sure where exactly he stood after I kissed him, although he had kissed back after a moment so I was praying that he returned my feelings, however against them I was. It was the first time in years that I had felt more than inkling of attraction to anyone, let alone some boy I had just met a few months before.

Shaking my head, I slipped my after lunch class books into my locker, rearranging them neatly to fit in alongside of the few things I had left in there over the break, such as an extra sweatshirt and a few pencils. The small magnetic mirror Harper had gifted me at the end of last school year was still stuck to the inside of the door.

Glancing in it, I froze slightly at my appearance, one I hadn't really looked at in a while. Dark locks fell over one of my shoulders, and my pale eyes stared back at me hauntingly. Looking away, I finished swapping out my necessary materials, slamming my locker shut as the first bell rang.

Sliding into my desk in History, I was quick to sight at the writing already on the board, notifying us of an upcoming research paper we would be doing. Luckily, it said it could be done alone or with a partner, so I planned to work alone and possibly ask Harper for some help editing it.

My first couple classes passed slowly, although Biology was always interesting with Oliver as my seatmate. He constantly goofed off, and would usually have to ask me to explain something or send him the notes after school. At least he was entertaining.

When lunch finally came around, I was dying to escape the classroom. Math class was evil at this point, just taunting us all with the hopes of being done soon, yet every time it seemed to get more and more difficult.

Making my way to the cafeteria, I slipped in between the throngs of people easily, being on the shorter side making it easier. Once I reached the table, I plopped down in my usual seat, Harper already there and sliding half a sandwich over to me, which I accepted gratefully.

As the rest of the group filed in, I noticed only one member missing. Turning to Oliver, I asked him quietly, "Where's Hunter?" Oliver shrugged, swallowing the bite of pizza he had just taken.

"Not sure, said he had to grab something out of his locker." I nodded, turning back to the remains of my sandwich.

Lunch passed in silence while the rest of the cafeteria was full of noise and enthusiasm. The two couples spoke quietly together, and Harper occasionally brought me into whatever it was they were talking about. With less than five minutes before the bell, I stood and gathered all my trash. Harper looked up at me questioningly.

"I'm going to go see if I can find Hunter before class, see you in the car?" I explained, and Harper gave me a nod, a sly smile growing on her face. My face grew hot, and I rapidly turned and began striding away, not noticing the pairs of eyes following me throughout the large building.

Making my way through the mostly empty halls, I glanced around, vaguely looking for Hunter as I made my way towards his locker, that was towards the back of the school. Turning the corner, I froze.

There, perched against his locker was Hunter. Along with him, Melissa Roberts. The two were extremely close, too close to be doing anything but be lip-locked. I stood there, my teeth digging into my lip as I held perfectly still.

Spinning around, I walked quickly back around the corner, my shoe squeaking against the tiled floor. Taking a deep breath, I choked on it slightly. Pausing against the wall, I tried to inhale, but my breath was caught in my throat.

From behind me, I could hear the scuffing of shoes, and I stood straight, rapidly moving to the nearest door which happened to be one of the several girls' bathrooms. Slipping in, I shifted to be beside the door, sliding down the wall to bring my knees to my chest.

Attempting to calm myself, I slowly took a deep breath, holding it for several seconds before exhaling. I could feel my hands shaking as I sat there for who knows how long. Closing my eyes, I set my head down on my knees, letting out a small tearless sob. The bell rang.

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Hey y'all! Apologizes for the slightly shorter chapter, I wasn't entirely sure where this chapter was going. Only three more chapters plus an epilogue left in this book! Thanks for sticking with me on this almost three year long ride! Have a great week!