Chapter 19

I shut my alarm off. The time was 7:00am already

Birds were singing happily on trees. The wind was blowing well. Even the sun seemed brighter which meant only one thing.

Valentine's day

A day for everyone to be happy but this isn't the case for me

Memories of Saturday rushed into my mind. Tears rolled down my cheeks at the thought of Michael.

I looked at the popular poem I designed for him on the wall

Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?

Proving Nature's laws wrong it learned to walk without having feet

Funny it seems but by living its dreams it learnt to breathe fresh air

Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else cared!

---in dedication to Michael Williams. Rest in Peace Michael. On Saturday 5th July heaven gained another angel ❤️

With a heavy sigh, I got up from bed and went to the bathroom. Sluggishly, I prepared for school.

I wore a white button up shirt with black shorts and black wedges. At least I had to look presentable

I looked at the poem one more time before I left for school.

Drew's P. O. V

I laid on my bed throwing my basketball at the wall and catching it when it bounced back.

I did it like 15 times till it didn't bounce back.

I just stared at it on the floor, too lazy to go pick it up.

I ran my hands through my hair and let out a frustrated sigh

''What is wrong with me?'' I groaned

''I might have an idea''

My foster mom, Sharon said as she leaned against my door frame. I didn't even realize she was there

''Hey mom" I nervously chuckled "didn't see you there''

''Of course, you didn't" she replied "got your head stuck in the clouds''

I sighed

''It's not like that''

She walked into my room then sat beside me on the bed

''Aren't you going to school today?'' She questioned

I raised an eyebrow at her

''What does it look like?''

''It's Valentine's day, you know'' she sang

''More reason not to go'' I muttered

''You can't keep on avoiding her''

I scrunched up my nose in confusion

"Her?" I asked

"Yes her"

''Who?''

''Please I was a teenager too. You've been drawing pictures of a girl and murmuring Bella for the past week''

''I don't know what you're talking about'' I lied

''How would you feel if somebody took her away from you?''

I clenched my fists at the thought but I wasn't ready to admit my feelings

''She isn't even mine to begin with''

''Exactly. Then make her yours''

How?

"She's way out of my league" I mumbled

"Does it matter?"

''She doesn't feel the same mom'

''Did she say she doesn't?"

''No but''

She put her finger on my lips shutting me up

''Have you even asked her?''

I shook my head.

No, I haven't. I kissed her and ran away. Ever since then I've been avoiding her like the fucking idiot that I am.

''Drew''

''Yeah?''

''Go get your girl before someone else does''

She gave me a pat on my leg then stood up

''Thanks mom''

''Anytime''

Bella

I opened my locker and screamed inside

''Whoa who pissed in your cheerio's?''

It was Missy, one of the girls on the cheer leading team.

I brought my head out and flipped my hair

''Hi'' I said closing my locker

''Hello to you too. What's up with you?''

''Stuff''

As we conversed Drew passed. We locked eyes for a few seconds before he looked away

Great

The bell rang meaning Missy and I had to end our discussion and get to class

''Well, I'll see you at dance practice'' I said

''Sure'' she replied before we parted ways to our different classes

******

.

I ran to the field for dance practice. I was twenty minutes late because my geography teacher made us draw some extra stuff. Coach is so gonna kill me. I hope she spares me since this is my first time being late

I stood in my position at the back when I got to the field hoping to get away unnoticed but that didn't work.

Coach Ann was writing something on her clipboard but looked up as soon as she saw me

"Bella, you're late'' coach Ann said

''I'm sorry ma'am'' I quickly apologized

''Just get in the line''

I joined the other girls on the straight line.

Coach Ann talked about our new formation. My eyes drifted to the bleachers

There Drew was smoking what I guessed was weed. Our eyes met

I thought about that night when we smoked weed together.

We stared at each other for a long time. He got up, grabbed his backpack and left

It reminded me of the day we kissed, how he just grabbed his bag and left me

''Hello. Earth to Bella'' Coach Ann snapped her fingers in my face

All eyes turned to me

I blinked my eyes coming back to reality

''Yes ma'am?''

''You seem a little bit off today. Go run 7 laps round the track''

''But Coach... '' I tried to protest

''No buts. Go''

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in. Leslie came in looking pale.

''Arnolds you're late too. Join Bella on the track''

I ignored the glare she gave me

''Let's just get this over with'' I said rolling my eyes

''I agree''

We ran on track at the same pace

''How many laps we got?'' Leslie asked

''Seven''

''Coach's really out for us huh?''

I chuckled

Leslie stopped making me stop too

''What's wrong?" I queried

''Something's not right" she said "Why aren't you being mean to me?''

I became confused

''What are you talking about?"

''I know you saw what happened on Saturday when Eric kicked me out. Why aren't you teasing me about it?"

''Look Leslie, its childish to tease you about something like that alright. Its none of my business but honestly, I feel sorry for you''

With that being said, we continued jogging in silence