Page 27 of Playing with Fire

We still have time to get to her class and I need to finish this once and for all.

Neither of us will benefit from staying in bed. I pushed his shoulder. He rolls over onto his back and fixes his gaze on me. With full determination I stare back at him since I truly want to go to school. He narrows his eyes, so I mimic his look by narrowing mine too.

He responds after several moments of silence.

"Fine," he says shortly.

A breath escapes my lips. Somehow, I was relieved to hear that. Weird. This project needs to be finished. I've had enough of him already. He adds with a yawn that he's doing the talking while sitting up. I look at him before I roll my eyes and say "Whatever." I sigh, turning towards his door.

I leave him behind thinking he's getting up on his own. The pounding rain strikes me by surprise when I reach the bottom of the steps.

Shit.

I look down on my clothes. My outfit consisted of a white T-shirt and shorts. It's not good.

Jaxon's fast descent down the stairs reached my ears and made me think, fuck it. I'll only stay outside in the rain for a brief time.

I step into my shoes and open the front door where a burst of wind rushes into the entryway.

Immediately, I shivered, "It's cold." I seethe through my teeth.

Jaxon walks off leaving me with the poster. I grab the poster and remain standing as I wait for Jaxon to return.

Since we were transporting his car to school, I thought he would need his keys. The sound of metal clinking in the kitchen confirmed my assumption. The shock deepened when he stretched out his hand containing the unexpected item. I stared at the sweatshirt, confused. His present was generous yet unusual given who he was. "Thank you but I don't need it," I responded to his kind gesture. I heard him close the door behind me as I walked out.

I remained standing until the car lights flashed before I quickly ran to the passenger's seat.

As I entered the car I noticed its remarkable cleanliness. His level of cleanliness left me truly impressed.

Jaxon started the car while the door opposite mine closed swiftly. Before noticing the tossed red clothing, I secured the seatbelt over my lap.

After picking up the item I tossed Jaxon with a look. "I said I was fine."

"I know. You continually express how cold you feel during class in Mrs. Lawson' room. he reasons, pulling out of the driveway. As I glanced his way his eyes remained fixed on the road ahead. His reaction to his previous action showed no sign of concern which frightened me.

After settling into my seat, I notice my lack of emotional response yet understand I'm analyzing it excessively. No one else would have said that but he saying it feels strange.

As the rain beats against the dashboard I start picking up my sweatshirt which rests on my lap. I gaze out the windowwhile we remain silent throughout the drive. I made efforts to safeguard the poster as I entered the school.

Most of the rain attack happened during my walk to the front door which caused me to enter the building soaking wet.

Her class only had twenty minutes remaining which made me forget to put on the sweatshirt. The poster remained draped across my arm as I sprinted inside.

The front lobby remained vacant because all students were attending their classes.

My gaze rose upwards as water trickled from my hair and moved down my face. I attempted to dry it off but failed because my shirt was transparent which fortunately did not damage the poster.

After placing the poster down, I quickly wore the sweatshirt and then caught up to Jaxon who stood halfway down the hall.

As I walk next to him, I whisper, "Great job waiting, jerk." He responds while speeding up that I never requested his help.

I sneaked at his behavior before taking off faster and I reminded him that he claimed he didn't want to go to school. I argue back.

"I compromised, actually," he points out.

"How so?" I pressed him. He chuckles as he says he will remain for twenty minutes before leaving me here.

After listening to his words, I formulate an idea because remaining in her class is completely out of the question for me.

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