Solo (19 page)

He took a deep breath. "Where's Casey? She's usually here by now."

"I'm sure she'll be here soon."

"Well, I'm not leaving until she is."

"Are you going to be late?"

"No, we have ten minutes before first bell. My class is at the end of this hall." He stopped talking abruptly. "Oh, man."

I turned to see what was wrong. Sasha, Evan, Jack, and Emily were standing at the end of the hall.

Evan didn't look happy and Sasha threw a deathly glare in my direction. It irritated me and I wanted to confront her. I wanted to give her the 'beat down' she'd supposedly given me. I also knew she
wanted
that reaction from me, but I wasn't willing to stoop to her level. I kept my eyes focused on Lucas so I wouldn't have second thoughts.

The awkward atmosphere eased with the sound of Casey's bubbly voice. "Hey, you two, how was the rest of your weekend?"

We both turned to look at her.

"What's going on? You look like your dogs got hit by a car. Did I miss something?"

"I'm surprised you didn't get an earful when you walked in the building. I guess I got my ass kicked by Sasha at your party on Saturday because she caught me making out with Evan."

"What?
Who told you that?" Casey looked confused.

"Just listen to the remarks floating through the halls."

"I can't believe Sasha would stoop so low. I'm so sorry, Eliana."

"You didn't do anything and I'm not going to react."

"We need to get to class," Lucas interrupted. "Casey, please don't leave her alone between classes."

"Um—Okay, Lucas." Casey shook her head looking even more confused.

Lucas turned back to me. "I'll see you at lunch," he leaned over and kissed my forehead.

"Okay."

Casey's eyes widened almost as big as her smile. Lucas turned and walked in one direction, while we walked in the other.

"Okay, what gives with you and Mr. Andrews?" Casey could barely contain herself as we made our way to first period.

"Let's just say, he isn't dating
causally
anymore." I winked at her.

Casey demanded more details, so I told her about our Sunday horse ride, with the exception of Lucas' special place. I also told her about watching the sunset and our first kiss. Her excitement took my mind off the rumors floating around the school.

After first period, she escorted me to Chemistry. She took Lucas' request seriously and didn't leave me until I was inside the door. "I'll be back after class."

"Okay, see you later, babysitter." I sat at my desk and opened my book and actually paid attention during class. I didn't make eye contact or even glance at Sasha or Evan once. I pretended they didn't exist. Toward the end of class, Travis Moore, the kid sitting between us, asked if I was all right after my 'beat down'. The group snickered.

I clinched my fist under my desk, turned to Travis and replied slowly, enunciating each word like I was talking to a five year old. In a voice loud enough so everyone could hear, I said, "LOOK AT ME CLOSELY. DO I LOOK LIKE I GOT A BEAT DOWN? DO YOU SEE ANY SCRAPES OR BRUISES ON ME? Someone obviously got their facts mixed up when they recapped the events from the weekend. The
truth
is so much less interesting than the story you've been told, I'm not even going to bore you with the details."

The room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The bell rang, breaking through the silence. I felt Sasha's glare as I put my books in my bag. I couldn't believe how good it felt to finally speak out and defend myself.

Casey was waiting for me in the hall. "How was class?" she asked.

"To be honest, it went well."

"That's good." We walked toward our next class. "So, I didn't get a chance to tell you something. There was way too much going on this morning."

"What is it?"

"Well, Jack and I hung out yesterday. He's getting a nice hotel room on prom night. From my understanding, a lot of people are booking rooms. There will be after-prom parties on every floor. I'm so excited," Casey squealed.

We sat down at our desks and I turned to ask her more about prom. "Do you think Lucas will expect me to stay?"

Casey looked at me like I was some kind of freak of nature. "You don't want to stay in Roseburg on prom night?"

"I didn't say that. I just don't know if my mom will like the idea."

"I thought your mom was really laid back. Doesn't she pretty much let you do whatever you want?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to take advantage of that or eventually she'll tell me no."

"Just tell her we're going to stay in a room together," Casey suggested.

"I hate lying to her." I turned and stared out the window. Secretly, I was nervous about staying in a hotel with Lucas. Mom was my excuse out of it.

Thinking about prom kept my mind off the ridiculous rumors floating around school until the bell rang. The only thing that comforted me was Lucas leaning against the lockers when Casey and I exited our class.

"How was your morning, ladies?" He reached for my hand.

"It's actually been pretty good," I replied. We walked to the cafeteria.

 "I guess I'll see you at gym," I said to Casey while we waited in line to pay.

Casey looked up at me. "Um, Eliana, I was wondering if I could eat lunch with you guys today."

I looked at her surprised. "Of course you can. You can eat with us anytime you want."

"Thanks."

We crossed the courtyard to the table where Lucas' friends were already sitting. Sasha and the others sat at a table across from us. She looked pissed that Casey was with us. Casey seemed a little down.

"It's okay if you change your mind and want to sit with them. I know you're friends with Sasha."

"It's not Sasha. It's Jack. I'm hoping he doesn't change his mind about prom because I'm choosing not to hang out with them."

"If he does, he isn't worth it."

Our conversation was suddenly interrupted by a commotion at Sasha's table. One of the other guys was holding Jack back. Evan was on the other side of the table throwing his arms in the air and yelling at Jack to "bring it."

"You say another word about her and I'll kick your ass." Those were the only clear words we could hear from Jack.

Sasha had her hand over her mouth, laughing. When I looked at Casey, she was on the verge of tears.

"It'll be okay." I put my arm around her. Lucas and the other guys from our table stood up. I didn't understand why they were getting involved. All I could do was sit back and hope no one got hurt. Lucas approached Jack to say something. Jack quickly spun around to look at Casey. Then they exchanged more words. I didn't know what Lucas was saying, but Jack calmed down. Two of the other guys talked to Evan for a few minutes. Evan seemed even more pissed. It was almost scary. Then the guys said something that made Evan slam his fist on the table and walk away, leaving Sasha and Emily alone. Lucas, Jack and the guys came back to our table. Jack leaned over and gently put his hand on Casey's face. "I didn't mean to scare you."

My heart sang. I thought that was so sweet. Casey buried her face in his chest. I knew she was crying. I was so confused. I figured I'd get what happened out of Lucas later, so I didn't press the issue.

The rest of lunch was quiet. I glanced at Sasha from time to time. She was the cause of all the trouble—not me. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do something. I racked my brain, trying to figure a way to get back at the vicious Barbie wannabe. I thought about embarrassing her by spilling soda on her, stealing her clothes during gym, or hitting her so hard she'd swallow her two front teeth. My thoughts kept getting worse. I knew I wouldn't actually do any of that, but it sure felt good picturing her humiliation.

After lunch, Lucas kissed my cheek, "I'll see you in study hall." Then he headed off to class.

Jack helped Casey dry her eyes and kissed her forehead, before he also left for class.

"Wow, not what I expected to happen at lunch today," I said.

Casey looked at me with sad eyes. I felt so bad for her. I couldn't imagine what she had to be feeling. She was quiet throughout fourth period. When we arrived at gym, the rumors were already flowing. It was a class with tons of cheerleaders, so everyone was either Sasha's friend or wannabe friend. We quickly changed and walked to the gym floor. Sasha made a grand entrance and decided she wanted to start something. Her confidence was only there because she had a group of girls standing around her. She started slinging harsh words.

I finally lost it. "Sasha, I don't know what your problem is and I don't care."

"You want to know my problem with you—you're a
bitch.
I knew from day one you were a whore. You come here thinking you're some big shot and you can have any guy you want."

"Are you serious? What grade are you in? I could care less about your boyfriend. There is no attraction on my part. If you haven't noticed, I'm completely happy with my
own
boyfriend."

She shook her head giving me the evil eye. Suddenly, it dawned on me that she wasn't upset about Evan; she was upset about Lucas and me.

Casey grabbed my arm and pulled me to the other side of the gym. I tried to concentrate on working out but I couldn't help but watch Sasha. She was working with her group on their dismal dance routine.

"Eliana. Eliana. Hey, Eliana." Casey shook me. "Snap out of it."

"I'm fine." I continued to stare at Sasha.

"Don't worry; he'd never give her the time of day," Casey confirmed.

"So, you figured it out, too." I stretched my legs.

"Yeah, it was just a little obvious with her body language."

"I've never felt this territorial in my life." I took a deep breath to keep calm.

"I've known Lucas since kindergarten. He's never been crazy about anyone like he is about you. He's almost obsessed with you."

"Yeah, but he has history with her. What if…"

Casey interrupted, "Bad history, he would never..."

"I've got to go," I interrupted.

"Eliana, are you all right? You're worrying me."

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just need to get out of here." I jogged to the locker room and changed, and then grabbed my bag and headed for the parking lot. I looked around for my car before realizing it wasn't there. The one day I wanted to leave and I didn't have my car. I didn't know where to go, but I knew it wasn't back to the gym.

I decided to go to the library and ask if I could run track during study hall. The librarian said I could go anywhere; I just couldn't leave the school grounds. I changed into my yoga pants and tank top in the restroom.

Thankfully, the track was empty. I needed to release my frustration. I knew I would start to cry if I didn't run. I stretched for a few minutes, pushed
PLAY
on my iPod, and took off. I hit my zone. I didn't know how fast or how many times I'd circled the track, but I started watching for the number three. Every time I passed it, I would run harder. The counting helped calm me down.

This was my first panic attack since I'd moved here. In fact, my last major attack had happened when I'd found out my dad was leaving and I would be moving to Myrtle Creek. I continued to run laps.

I caught a glimpse of two people standing by the bleachers. It was Lucas and the track coach. I kept running until the coach left, and then I slowed to a walk, raising one finger to let Lucas know I was walking a cool down lap.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, walking over to him.

"Casey came and found me. She was frantic. She said something about you going nuts in gym."

I rolled my eyes, "I didn't go nuts. I had a small panic attack. I think everything from today finally caught up to me. I had to run."

"You had me worried. The librarian told me you came to the track."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to worry anyone." I looked through my backpack for something to wipe off the sweat.

"What are you looking for?"

"I thought I had a towel in my backpack."

"Come with me. I usually have a few in my duffle bag. It's in my truck."

"Are they clean?"

He looked back at me like I was crazy. "Of course they are. What do you think? That I use dirty towels to clean up after practice."

"I was just checking."

"You know, Coach asked why you haven't joined any sports. She couldn't believe your endurance. You've been running at a steady pace for almost an hour."

"Yeah, but I run for fun, not for competition. Besides, it would take me away from my other after school activity in the forest."

Lucas smiled. We reached his truck and he handed me a towel from his bag. "Here you go."

I was surprised that it was actually clean. "It smells linen fresh."

He shook his head and pulled me toward him, grabbing the towel and wiping my upper back and arms.

"I need to go to the restroom before the final bell rings," I said.