CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT:

48: ~Marina's Pov~

The bell echoed loudly in the hallways signifying school was over. It was my third day back to school ever since the accident and good news... Jakob was no longer suspended but he'll be enjoying bench time for the rest of the week– which was already a pass because Thanksgiving break was starting from today– before he'll be allowed on the court again.

"See you all in our next class. Marina, may I have a word with you?" Mr Wiley said in his booming voice.

I managed a small tight smile, then I grabbed my books and made my way to the front of the class through the throng of students fighting to leave the classroom at once.

"Afternoon, Mr Wiley."

"How is it that my brightest student is always the last to turn in her assignments?"

"I don't understand, I beat the deadline."

"Barely." He chuckled and adjusted his glasses. "I must say, your write-up was interesting to read, you were subtle about going into the details of your brother's personal life and that perked my interest. One thing I was able to gather though was how tough things must have been at home, I just wanted to let you know that I love your spirit. Not many people would have been able to manage issues at home and still keep a good grade but for submitting late, I'll give you a B."

Ish–

"It's okay, I understand." I said even though I knew I deserved that A+ grade.

Mr Wiley nodded with a small smile. "Happy Thanksgiving, Marina."

"Thank you." I muttered and left the classroom.

I haven't stepped into the hallway two seconds when someone called my name. I turned around and saw a blond ponytail dancing towards me. It was Daneley.

"I haven't seen you in like forever, almost seems like you're avoiding everyone, you didn't even come to our table at lunch and I had to suffer through Bodie's cock and bull story of how he entered a fight at a Japanese themed bar and came out with nothing but a bruise around his left eye." Daneley gushed and rolled her eyes in dramatic exasperation which made me giggle.

If only she knew how true that story was.

"But hey, it's really nice to have you back." She beamed.

"Thanks, Ellie." I replied and we continued walking down the hall.

How do I tell this girl I kissed her boyfriend a week ago? That honestly has been the main reason I had to consciously avoid her since I got back and it wasn't helping matters that our biology presentation was on Monday. Right now I felt even worse because she was truly the nicest person on Earth.

"Oh and Happy Thanksgiving, I wonder what type of school gives us a four day break for Thanksgiving but postpones our Halloween so they can merge it with the Winter Formal, ugh SLake annoys me most times."

I laughed. "Get used to it."

"Well I guess I'm just going to be rehearsing our presentation through the whole break because my family won't be celebrating Thanksgiving this year..." She paused and pouted her lips to the side.

"What do you mean?" 

"My family is leaving Palm Springs to LA next weekend, my Mom got transferred... Again." She sighed and gripped her bag tighter.

I adjusted the books in my hand, "Oh, well if you guys can get your heads out of packing for just a second, y'all are more than welcome to come spend Thanksgiving with me and my family on Friday evening."

"Really? That's so cool! You're so cool, Marina. Thanks! We'd definitely be there."

"Happy Thanksgiving!" I told her.

"See you on Friday evening."

"It's a date!"

I watched Daneley skid off while I stood before Coach House office mahogany door. Sighing heavily, I knocked and waited for a response.

"Come in." Came Coach's soft voice from behind the close door.

I pushed it open and the feeling of tension in my stomach rose to my throat, threatening to choke me while I hugged my books to my chest for mental support as I locked eyes with Coach House.

"My Sandy blond team manager, please have a seat." Coach beamed pointing towards the stationary wooden chair before his large oak desk with a pen, while he twirled in his leather chair.

"No, it's fine." I said and shrugged my backpack off my shoulder, putting away the previous books in my hand from English class and taking out my team management note-tab.

I placed it on the table warily, "I'm quitting Coach. Sorry if I let you down."

Coach eyed me with an unreadable expression. He sighed and pulled the note-tab over to him, toying with his pen between his teeth.

Finally he spoke, "Trust me, I understand. Sometimes we all need a break but remember that you're never alone, MJ and if you ever change your mind there's always a spot for you on my team."

"Thanks Coach." I returned his father-like smile with a small one and headed out.

The major step was done!

I needed to cut all ties I had with Darnell and Jason, I needed to protect my own energy. I guess one way or another my sinister feeling about joining the basketball team played out. I sighed.

I really needed to align my chakra.

~ ~ ~

The more I tried to revise my biology project presentation against Monday the more I recalled how Darnell's hands gripped my thighs and how his minty taste stayed on my tongue till the next morning.

The thought still made butterflies erupt in the pit of my stomach. I felt sick and pathetic.

Why did hormones and feelings have to exist anyway when we could all just be robots with flesh and blood?

I groaned and my head fell unto my books with a heavy thud. My hand searched around until it picked up my montblanc headphone, I connected it to my iPhone and put it on.

Playlist update: I replaced Teenager in Love by Madison Beer with Ain't Shit by Doja Cat. Dusk till Dawn with Unstoppable by Sia and Better by Khalid with That way by Tate McCrae.

Even if Watermelon Sugar reminded me of Darnell and Line by Line reminded of Jason and Ain't no Sunshine reminded me of Erin. I guess I can't really move on from them. I really felt like Kehlani when she sang Nights Like This.

Anyways, my sulking r&b whipped ass hit play on For Tonight by Giveon. I slumped to the ground and spread my arms, closing my eyes and sinking into the oblivion. Time flew by slowly as nostalgia washed over me and it felt like I was living through Giveon words on Stuck on You. Then Still your Best came on and then the ultimate soul breaker... HeartBreak Anniversary.

I was dancing down my memory lane.

The first time we spoke.
His first time in my room when he made it clear he didn't do feelings.
My first time in his room when he teased me by trying to kiss me.
That evening at Rancho Mirage Conservatory.
The first time his lips touched my skin.
The cliff and the lake.
The night of the Jameson's dinner party.
The first time we kissed...

And that's how I found myself missing a certain cocky personality named Mystery Boy.

Topaz hopped on my arm and I pulled the cream colored animal towards me.

Damn, she's been adding some weight and height too. I thought and chuckled to myself.

Curling on my side, Topaz and I snuggled together.

"I miss him, Topaz, am I pathetic?" I sighed and stroked her fur.

"If only things had played out differently, I remember the look in his green eyes when we had our moments, I don't want to believe he never had feelings for me because I knew he did, heck, I could feel it everytime we were together. You need to see him hurt that night after the stupid basketball game with Jason when I told him to stay away from me. So what's his problem? Why can't he let me love him? What is he afraid of, Topaz? Ugh boys are complex to understand. All I wanted was for #Darina to be a real thing. In my next life I'd come back as a butte– oh no, that's what he calls me! I'm whipped, Topaz. You hear that? Your girl is completely whipp–" I gasped and flinched when Jakob's face came into my vision.

"Whenever you're done daydreaming, you've got a visitor." He said while pulling my headphone off my head.

I sat up abruptly, startling Topaz while I shot Jakob a glare. "Marcello, what the hell? I'm not expecting anyone. You're just lying because you needed an excuse for eavesdropping."

He chuckled and squatted before me, ruffling my already messy unpacked hair, he said in a mocking tone, "All I wanted was for #Darina blah blah blah– he's waiting outside."

My heart stopped.

I placed my hand to my chest to check for a pulse.

"H–he?" I stuttered but Jakob was already walking out my door.

I scrambled off the ground and ran my fingers through my hair. After a heavy inhale and exhale, I went downstairs without any preparation. But at first glimpse at the blurred figure outside my front doors all I saw was perfectly blonde hair.

Disappoinment covered and drew me in like when I'd almost drowned in Santa Monica.

I opened the door halfway and poked my head out.

"I think you've got the wrong house, Darnell's across the street." I jerked my head at the duplex opposite mine.

Curtis smiled and his blue eyes glowed, "Actually I came for you."

Like always he was in blue jeans and a white T-shirt while his black jacket was drapped over one shoulder. His bike was parked in my driveway.

I chuckled, "Really? humor me." I said sarcastically.

"I was hoping you'd want to escape with me." He was still smiling. Curtis was a real charmer.

"Look Curtis, I don't know if you have good intentions or not but I'm really not seeing boys right now, so I'd appreciate if–"

"Really nice way to tell someone off." He pouted his lips to the side.

"I'm sorry it's just... Right now, I can't."

He backed up a little, "I understand. Happy Thanksgiving."

I smiled lightly before closing the doors and sinking down with my back again it. My heart was beating alongside the sound of Giveon's voice in my ears.

¶we've been done, long before it all began
Still can't give it oouuuppp
...
Cos all I wanna do is... Lie with you
For tonight... I'm yours
So deny the truth
Or stay behind close doors
...
Say my love is bad, so you let me go
...
Cos I'm stuuucck on you
...
HeartBreak anniversary, do you ever think of me?
Cos I think of you– think of you ou ou...

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A/N: please vote if you liked this chapter. Next chapter is Thanksgiving with the Hunters, I'm excited. See you in chapter forty-nine.
TheShadyButterfly🦋.