Connected [Luke Hemmings]

• Chapter 28 •

You get to meet Bianca FINALLY in this chapter, she doesn't play such a big part, but she's crucial ! enjoy :-) x

• Chapter 28 •

Renn

I flip over the booklet that I had written my big term test on. I stare at the big C on it. Since I left Chicago, my grades have went down. I usually did online classes, but I decided it would be time to check out the real thing, so I signed up. Unfortunately, it's worse than online, because I'm not used to the environment anymore.

"Miss Knight? I'd like to speak with you after class," says my professor.

"Alright," I say.

He dismisses the class and I stay behind. "What's up?" I ask.

"Your work before was perfect, but this test was worth 15% of your grade, what happened?"

"Just... a rough time. I'm sorry Dr, I'm trying my best."

"Okay, look, no one does retests in this uni system. But I know you can do better. Next week, Thursday, 7 am okay? If you don't make it on time, then you lose your chance."

I nod at him, and then sigh. "For now, just make sure you ace this paper," he says.

"I'll try. Thanks Doc, see you," I say.

"Ace it Knight!"

I wouldn't want to say that my break up with Luke affected me in a way that I not able to physically function anymore, but it feels like that's the situation. Tonight, Verona and I are invited for a family dinner back in Riverstone. I hope that takes my mind off things for awhile. I'm still very bitter and sour toward everyone, so Jana has been extra nice to me. Belle and Brianna come by once in awhile to check on me. I don't know why heartbreak hurts so bad, it's stupid.

My finger play around with my keys and then I drop them. I groan, picking them up and trying to unlock my car. When I get in, I place my stuff carefully on the passenger's seat and someone knocks on my window just before I'm able to turn my car on. I look out the window to see a friend I've made in class. His name's Sawyer.

I roll my window down and he smiles. "Hey Florence," he says.

"Hi," I say.

"Sorry to bother you, but could I get a ride? My ride kind of ditched me."

"Oh, no it's not a bother at all. Come on in," I say.

I take my stuff and put it in the back, and then unlock the car. Sawyer takes a seat and puts his seatbelt on.

"I know you have a boyfriend and everything so I won't make a move," says Sawyer.

"Um thanks, but we broke up," I say.

"Oh you did? Why would someone break up with someone like you?"

"What do you mean someone like me?"

"I mean, well Florence you're beautiful."

I've only heard those words from Luke, and maybe Michael except he only said it when he was annoyed with me trying on clothes. It's so foreign and weird coming from Sawyer, as I only had one solid conversation with him, and it was about the indigenous dangers in Australia.

"Thanks," I say, quietly.

"S-sorry, I didn't- um so how'd you do on your test?"

"I didn't do too well."

"Oh, that's too bad. I'm sure you'll do better on the next one."

The ride to Sawyer's house is awkward, but I like the company. Better than me wanting to drift off to the side of the road and just take it from there, or wanting to jump off a bridge or something. I know the break up shouldn't affect me as much as it is, but I can't help it. The whole time I was convincing myself that I could trust Luke, and that he wouldn't break my heart. In the end, he did and I feel nothing but stupid to believe he wouldn't.