The Secrets We Keep (Formally WAIT)

Chapter 5

I wake up from the same dream as the night before and repeat my routine, except this time I don't have any studying to do and busy myself with packing a bag with the essentials (clothes, toothbrush, toiletries, etc). I get to school early again and throw my bag in my locker with my work uniform and retrieve my textbook for my first class of the day: Spanish.

I make myself at home on the floor in front of my locker and plug my headphones in. I'm daydreaming about moving into my dorm room a million miles away from here next fall when I receive a text from Ash.

Hey sis, the car's running. You want me to drop it off at the school?

"YES!" I scream aloud. Oh my gosh, my car is running again.

Yes, please. I'm here already, so whenever you have a second. Thank you thank you thank you! You are a lifesaver!!!!

Thank God my car is running again. It stopped working about a month ago, something to do with the transmission, but Ash, the car God he is, has finally got me a new transmission! This is perfect, now I won't have to have him pick me up for work or take me home.

I wait for his reply, hoping he can drop it off now before school starts. Maybe today won't suck half as bad, plus this means I can just sleep in my car tonight and I won't have to bother Ash and lie to him. My phone buzzes and I hastily unlock it.

See you in 10.

I squeal in excitement and stand up to collect my things from my locker that I can keep in my car. I turn around and scream in fright when I see Ryder standing across the hall staring at me.

"F*ck, you scared the crap out of me," I say, clutching my chest to steady my breathing.

"What are you doing here so early," he asks eyebrows raised.

"I could ask you the same thing," I say matching his facial expression.

"I asked you first, besides you're the one screaming."

"I wasn't screaming, and I don't have to answer your question." I cross my arms over my chest and wait for him to reply.

"Whatever," he shrugs and turns to walk away, presumably the way in which he came from.

Geez, what's his issue? I collect my things from the floor and head out to the front of the school and wait in the parking lot for Ash to arrive. A few minutes later he pulls up with my 2015 Subaru Impreza Hatchback. Aww, he even washed it, the cobalt blue paint sparkling.

I jump up and down with excitement as he steps out and tosses me the keys. I catch them with my free hand and giggle with happiness.

"Ash, you are the best!" I scream as I jump into his arms.

He chuckles and wraps his arms around my body. He pulls away and gives me a serious look.

"Now go easy on her, transmissions aren't cheap. This better last you until you're 30."

I nod my head in agreement and hug him again.

"Okay, well thanks again. Seriously, Ash, I don't know what I would do without you."

"Yeah, yeah, I know I'm the best. Now drop me back off at work so I can get back to doing adult things like making money and shit."

"Right, okay."

I toss my stuff in the back seat and slide into the driver's seat. I breathe in the familiar smell of my car and turn it on, smiling at the sound of the engine purring again. I make my way out of the parking lot and head to the shop.

After I dropped Ash off, I parked in my favorite spot in the school parking lot, right by the exit, and rushed inside just as the warning bell was ringing. I was still the first person in the classroom as I slid into my seat by the door.

I was busy scrolling through Pinterest when the reality of what was happening tomorrow began to creep its way back into my mind. Darren. Also known as Avery's father, and the person I hated most in this world was going to be coming back tomorrow. Why couldn't he have just been sent straight to hell?

Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't realized that class had started and was shaken back to reality when the person behind me flicked me.

"What the hell?" I said turning around.

"Señorita Richter, estás con nosotros?" My Spanish teacher Señora Blancos was staring at me along with the rest of the class, waiting for a response.

"Sí Señora, puede repitir la pregunta?

"Puedes leer el párrafo su la pizarra?"

"Sí," I turn my gaze to the whiteboard behind her and read the paragraph with ease. Fortunately, unlike Calculus, I am actually good at this subject.

After dying a slow and painful death of embarrassment, the class finally ends and I race out of the room. The rest of the day passes just as slowly, and just when I thought the day would never end, the last bell finally rings and I make my way to my locker to dump some textbooks. Just as I slam it just Ryder's face appears next to mine.

"Ugh, I hope you're not making this a habit," I said slightly annoyed.

"Making what a habit?" he asks leaning against the locker next to mine.

"Of scaring me," I say turning to walk to my car.

He grabs my arm and I flinch away, giving him a dirty look.

"Don't touch me," I said menacingly.

"Okay," he says looking slightly confused. I leave him staring at me as I exit the building and rush to my car.

I get trapped between two cars full of the popular kids blasting obnoxious music and tapped my fingers on the wheel impatiently. As I finally pull up to the stop sign to exit I catch a glimpse of Ryder leaning against his car with his sunglasses on. I can't tell if he's looking directly at me because of his sunglasses, but I suspect he is. I quickly speed out of the parking lot and make my way to work.

I change in the bathroom like always and shove my clothes into my backpack before grabbing some of my homework. I take the desk over from Eric and clock in. I start on the tall stack of paperwork, and it looks like this is going to go just as slowly as the school day. Ugh.

____________________________________

Stayed tuned guys, its about to get intense!

xoxo

Elodie