Chapter 16

The grin on Elizabeth's face when she asked me to shake her was still plastered in my brain as I walked to the cafeteria, my two hands in my pocket and a wide smile on my face.

As I walked past the principal's office, close to the music room I saw Cheryl's bag on the floor since the place was opened. What's she doing?. She never drops anything anyhow. After fighting the thought of leaving, I knock on the door briefly before opening it.

" I'm sorry I know i shoul.. " Cheryl started saying as she raised her head from the locker. She had been crying.. Confusion laced all over my mind as I walked up to her.

" are you crying? " I asked her and she nodded her head to say no. I frowned as I picked her face up with my hands to stare into her hazel eyes. It was red and filled with tears.

" why are you crying Cheryl? " I asked as I closed the gap between us before hugging her tight against my chest. Her sobs filled my hoodie as she placed her hands over my neck, I could hear her voice cracking.

" its..its him " she stated and looked at me deeply, her lips quavering as the tears kept falling from her eyes. " he's back Adam, " she said breaking down. There is only one thing that can make Cheryl cry. Its not possible, unless...

" dad " was all I could say before hugging her more closely and her tears increased as she cried out all her emotions, I haven't seen Cheryl like this since dad left us few years ago. She has picked us all up after having a mental breakdown herself, she even went into therapy and then she started smiling

After that experience, she had never shed a single drop of tear and had been encouraging both mum and I and now she is crying. Anger took over me in less than a few minutes as I hardened my knuckles, I kissed her forehead and stood up, grabbing her bag before pulling her up.

" let's go " I said holding her tightly as she couldn't stand on her own. She rested on me as we walked to the door

" where are we going Adam? " she asked me

" home " I answered her and she nodded and followed me. We walked to the cafeteria and I handed her bag to her.

" wait here, I will be back " I said to her quickly and she nodded her head before I walk into the cafeteria. As soon as I entered, her eyes were on me,seeking into my soul asking for answers. I looked away before walking over to the table, with Cole right behind me..

?????

As soon as I dropped Cheryl off the next morning at school, I did the next thing I could and told Shawn to watch over her because I couldn't do it alone. He has also seen her at her worst just like me and it wasn't nice.

The first and second period went smoothly and I wasn't paying attention in any of the classes, all I could feel was anger, confusion and sadness, why would dad call Cheryl, after all these years, I just couldn't understand anymore. What was mum keeping from us too?

As soon as the bell rang, signaling the end of the second period, I picked my bag off the floor and made my way to the gym for P.E as that was the third period, we usually had P.E after lunch but it got changed this week.

I changed into my shorts and sports shirt as soon as I entered the rest room. A frown still on my face to tell every one to back off. I opened the door and walked past the gym to the field where every one gathered with the coach right in our middle.

" I need you guys to run ten laps around the field " he said and every one let out a groan except me, I needed this to settle my mind. I was constantly trying not to punch anyone in the face and also not to punch the wall. At the sound of his whistle we all went to the end of the field. I searched around the crowd to look for her when I heard her name.

" miss walkers " coach said and I looked at her from where I was. She had her lips stretched in a thin line as she spaced out thinking about something. I stared at her blue eyes that compensated her red hair as the sun was shinning against it, making it slow. A smile forms my lips as I look at her over and over again, she was beautiful.

She looked at coach and and then she gave him an awkward smile before coach pointed to the rest if us. She muttered an okay and began to run to the end of the field. I couldn't help but stare at her long legs, she was perfect even though she was wearing the least explosive sport wear here. All the anger I had just vanished as I looked at her.

It took me a while to register that the coach had blown the whistle. Every one had started running. I scratched my head and began to run, not that I couldn't increase my pace but Elizabeth was right in front of me, running and trying hard tame her red flamy hair as it scattered every where. I chuckled as I watched her use her hand to hold it up before running on.

Few minutes later we had finished ten laps around the field and every one scattered around sitting and trying to catch their breathe. I looked around trying to look for her and thats when I spot her head from afar. She was sitting on the bench and wiping her forehead and then she brushed her hand through her hair again. She must really want to pack it up.

" hey Vanessa can I borrow a band? " I asked facing Vanessa. She smiled at me and placed one on my palm after searching her bag.

" thanks " I muttered and began to run towards Elizabeth but I faintly heard Vanessa say you are welcome to me. As I reached the girl I had been staring at, my hands move to her hair and she froze as I put her hair in a pony tale for her. My hands still on her hair, she turned around slowly and gasped, I caught my breathe and smiled before letting go of her hair. She whisked her hands through it

" hey " I said as I grinned at her and she just stared at me, still in shock I guess. " you must be thirsty " I added and held the water out to her, her lips curve into a smile as she takes the water, grazing her hand over my palm in the process. I watched her as she emptied the water in one try, she must have been really thirsty.

" thank you " she said still smiling as she handed me the bottle back. I nodded and collected it, still smiling at her ." do you want to sit ? " she asked me patting the bench beside her. Heck yeah I wanted to sit down beside her but I couldn't. At least not when I'm messed up in the head.

" no, my job is done as of now, see you around Elizabeth " I said and smirked at her before turning my back at her and I started running back to the middle of the field. As I got there, I saw that she was still staring at me, she was looking so innocent as she sat on the bench, her lips still in a smile, I waved at her and gave her a big grin., my heart was beating in my chest as I waved.

She looked at me and frowned, I could see her cheeks turn bright red and suddenly she picked her bag and ran towards the door hurriedly, disappearing from my eyes just like she appeared, I could never understand the girl. I smiled before turning back to my friends..

?????

ELIZABETH:

" hey I haven't seen you all day " Alex bumped my shoulder with her fists as she sat down beside me at lunch time. I looked up and gave her a big grin to acknowledge her presence.

" hey you too. School's been hectic all morning that I only looked forward to lunch with you " I said and passed her a tray of food " I ordered for you " I added and her eyes lit up in surprise and amusement.

" thank you so much Betty what would I do without you here " she said and tasted a bite out of the peanut butter sandwich " oh God nothing I so much love you Betty walkers " she added and moaned with satisfaction. I chuckled at her behavior

" what were you up to all day? " I asked her and she raised her head from her food to look at me before wondering off with her hand on her chin. I find that funny

" well I had biology first, then physics and then swimming class and after this we have French together " she smiled . " how about you? " she asked me

" well I had history first and then a free period which I spent organizing my locker " I said and Alex rolled her eyes. " what's that supposed to mean? " I asked her

" well you are just too organized " she said and I frowned.

" no am not I just hate disorganizing. And then I had P.E class " I added and looked down.

" did you just blush? " Alex asked me, a big smile lingering on her lips.

" no I didn't. Thats outrageous. Why would I blush ? " I said hurriedly and gave her a frown.

" are you nervous ? " she asked me again with a puzzled expression.

" yes no. I'm not nervous. Why ? " I asked her back

" okay then why were you stammering just now ? " she asked me grinning

" I didn't stammer.. I just wasn't prepared for what happened. " I said and frowned.

What the hell

" what happened Betty " Alex said and I didn't reply her " this started when you mentioned P.E . what happened in your class Betty ? " she asked again. And I was about to reply when the door to the cafeteria opened, thankfully causing everyone in the lunch room to look at the direction including me and Alex.

Just then Shawn, wait I had absolutely forgotten about Shawn and he didn't message me either. Shawn, Adam of course, Cole and a tired looking Cheryl entered. Immediately every one started whispering around the lunch room. I haven't seen Cheryl this week. She looked like she was crying.

The four of then looked at my direction and Cheryl gave me a faint smile, I smiled too before Shawn waved and i waved back at him and then followed Cheryl to their table I guess. Cole smirked at us before he left. well at Alex since she was now fanning her face as she swooned.

Idiot

Then Adam stood there just holding my gaze in his before he gave me a wink.

I gasp and open my mouth in shock, as if enjoying my reaction, he smirked before following his group of friends to their table. I stared on at the door, my heart beating so fast in my chest as I took in all I just witnessed. A lot was on my mind, why was he so nice to me today, first the band, then the water and then waving at me and now winking... And why the hell was it affecting me this much. It shouldn't be making me breathless or giddy or happy but it is.

" uhm earth to Elizabeth.. "

" Betty Betty. "

"BETTY!! " my head snapped back to Alex's direction, she was currently smirking at me with glee in her eyes. Oh no

" yes? " I asked her trying to not let her catch me staring

What exactly was your crime anyway

Shut up

" oh care to tell me what you call that " she stated and pointed to the door. I knew she was talking about how Adam winked at me. But its nothing right. Shawn waved at me and I waved right back and Adam was just greeting me too.

I know too well that it was a lie, I hadn't reacted to Shawn this way and i don't like it one bit.

" tell you what. What do you mean Alex " I feigned innocence.

Not that I'm not innocent because I am

Oh yeah right

" oh don't lie baby. I know you too well. You were staring at Adam with puppy love eyes and you were blushing really hard " she stated and I scoffed and rolled my eyes at her. I didn't blush or look at him with puppy eyes. What the hell is puppy love eyes

" I don't understand what you are saying " I added trying to make my face hard but apparently I faced.

" oh you know well that you do Betty " she said grinning. " wait, is Adam in your P.E class? " she asked me

" yes why? " I asked with confusion in my tone. Where was she driving at?.

" oh thats why " she said with a little too happy tone.. A happy tone which is weird now. She is looking at me like she won a prize.

" meaning " I asked her

" meaning you have a thing for Adam. Wow " she said and my eyes popped out in amusement. What the hell does thing mean.

Thing?

I do not have a thing for Adam

Oh keep telling yourself that

I know so

You like him

No I don't

Lies

" thing? What do you mean Alex " I asked her again, even though I know what she means clearly. I know that face too well. Was she insinuating that Adam likes me?

I was prepared for what she had to say but when she said it, I just couldn't accept that fact.

" you my friend, are most certainly in love with Adam Brent Rivers " she stated with a triumph look in her voice and eyes....