Five Years

Chapter 30

~Audrey's POV~

After a meaningful, passionate kiss, we both pull away breathlessly. Aleck's eyes are gleaming with happiness and I can't help but smile. His brown eyes bore into mine before he places another small kiss on my cheek, my eyes involuntarily closing at his small gesture.

"You're good at kissing," Aleck remarks coquettishly pushing his hair to the side.

"Um what?" I question although I am laughing a little at his sudden and unexpected remark.

"I said, you kiss go-" he starts putting emphasis on each word more than usual.

"I heard you! I just, I just didn't expect for you to say something like that. The only other person I kissed is-" I stop mid-sentence to avoid that awkward subject. "Um yeah."

"Did you know that you are the only person I've ever kissed?" Aleck asks a little embarrassed by his statement.

"Yeah I kind of knew. I mean you've never had a girlfriend," I answer nonchalantly smiling a bit.

"Well thanks," he scoffs.

"I didn't mean it like that," I counter taking a step back.

"I know, I know."

:-:-:-:-:

Everyone seems to be teeming with happiness when we return from winter break which is highly unusual. I mean -- who would want to come back to school from break? Eavesdropping and overhearing conversations it seems that everyone either saw distant relatives or were bestowed with a shower of presents probably resulting in this rush of enchantment and prosperity. 

Gliding through the busy hallway I make my way to my locker to retrieve my items and head to class. Today my first class is history and I am not looking forward to it. Although I am academically strong in this subject I have grown to detest the long lectures and lessons my teacher presents.

I slide down into my assigned seat in the third row and silently take out my pen and notebook while the rest of my peers and I wait for the remaining students. As the bell sounds through the school, a flock of students stumble into the classroom to avoid being late for the first class of the day.

As our teacher rambles over the history of Gettysburg I neatly jot down notes into my composition notebook. The class remains quiet as we all attempt to get our key notes down. Meanwhile, history comes to an end and it is time for English.

Once again I return to the swamped and active hallway to reach my locker. Quickly getting the items I need for English I scramble to get there on time. Seeing that I still have time before class starts I leisurely make my way to my seat and sit down. 

The rest of the class finally arrives including Kelly and a few other of my friends. My English teacher commences the boring lesson on diagramming sentences and I struggle to copy down notes being that she moves from topic to topic very fast. Kelly and I glance at each other with our faces flashing a sense of worry because this lesson is difficult and we have a quiz on it tomorrow.

:-:-:-:

Lunchtime approaches rather quickly after math class and soon enough I find myself in the cafeteria with Kelly as we wait for her beloved Caleb.

"So, Audrey, how was your winter break?" Kelly asks as she takes a sip from her water bottle.

My heart clenches as I recall the previous events that took place over break -- the breakup, the funeral, Aleck's shocking news.

"It was alright," I say, taking a bite of my sandwich. I chew a little and swallow to resume talking without a mouthful of food. "How was yours?"

"Um well despite the funeral I guess it was okay. My family and I didn't do much, but we did visit my aunt in prison," she says indifferently.

"I don't mean to pry but, you have an aunt in prison?"

"Mason's mom."

"Oh."

I can tell we both feel the awkward tension that has built up over the course of this conversation, but luckily Caleb joins us at our lunch table.

"Hey Caleb," we greet.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late. I was in music and our stupid teacher Ms. Cornmich let us out late because she said we were talking too much," Caleb explains, clearly bothered. "And then she said, you guys shouldn't mind being here instead of lunch. Music is surely more educational than chatting with your friends," he mimicked.

Kelly and I erupt into laughter as Caleb sits there with his arms crossed, clearly annoyed at how we find the situation extremely humorous. 

"Hey you guys wouldn't be laughing if Ms. Cornmich kept you fifteen minutes into your lunchtime," he pouts.

"I can't believe her last name is Cornmich. I giggle everytime I say it!" Kelly laughs completely ignoring Caleb's protest.

"She's such an annoying teacher!" Caleb groans.

"Ha I'm lucky because I don't have her class!" I boast, laughing at their reactions.

"WHAT WHY!" Caleb gasps. "Whatever you did to not be in her class is what I need to do!"

"Caleb there's nothing you can do because it's already the second semester so there's no point. And the only reason I don't take that class is because I chose to take library as an elective."

"Isn't that boring though?" Kelly questions, biting her apple.

"Well it's certainly better than being late fifteen minutes to lunch. Plus the librarian brought us cookies before winter break started," I smile.

"Ugh I should've picked that elective," Caleb regrets pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Aw come on Ms. Cornmich can't be that bad!" I reason.

"Okay. Well then I'd like to see you enjoy getting yelled at by her with her horrible breath and bulging eyes," he challenges, smirking.

I sigh in defeat as the end of lunch bell rings.