We got to meet Lucas Edwards who is lame and doesn't like Star Wars. I know, how lame right? This is the last leading lady for a Beneath the Scars book. I'm sure you all want to throw something at me because I keep saying 'the last time'. I'm sure it's annoying to hear, but it's weird to think that this is the last time that I'm working on with this project. I will have other projects, but I throw myself into each of my stories.
Sonja Bennett
Dark eyes
Caring
Teacher
Likes to binge watch movies with sweets with her friend Kensi.
Needs a new car.
My feet were sore and my hips were
stiff from standing on my feet the last two days. Today was the second full day
and I didn’t know who felt it more, me or the kids. The first week was over. Sitting
at my desk my eyes were scanning the desks. I could tell I was going to have to
move a few kids around because of the chattiness. Sighing I took my phone out
of the top drawer. There was a missed call, I didn’t recognize the number, but
they also didn’t leave a voicemail. I swiped the notification off to the side.
There weren’t any text messages either. I chewed on the inside of my cheek.
Taking a deep breath I clicked on the message icon and clicked on Sawyer’s
name.
Hey, what are you up to this weekend?
I shouldn’t contact him after he
blew me off the other night. Maybe he was busy? Well I’m busy too. Why did I
keep doing this to myself? He and I have known each other since middle school.
My phone vibrating broke my train of thought.
Not much, sorry missed you the other night. Had to help my buddy move
some stuff.
See he was busy.
You’re fine, I went to bed early for my first day.
Nice, you survive?
One corner of my lips curled up. He
sent another message.
I got paid in a case of beer so I’d say I did.
So do you want to do something this weekend?
I stood up and grabbed my stuff.
The sun cut through the blinds of my classroom, hitting every laminate surface
of the kids’ desks. Pulling my sunglasses out of my purse I perched them on the
top of my head. Swinging the bag over my shoulder I marched out of my room.
Leaving the building I signed out, I survived the first week. I only had one
hundred seventy-seven school days to go until summer break. As I walked out
into the warm sunny afternoon, the warmth filled me after being in the building
all day. My phone buzzed.
Don’t know haven’t thought that far out, u?
Was kind of hoping that we could hang out
I got to my car and tossed my stuff
into the passenger seat. I took a deep breath of fresh air as I made my way
around to the driver’s seat. Once I got myself in my seat and situated my phone
went off again. Picking it up Sawyer had responded.
Sure we can. Want to show up tomorrow around six at twelfth ave and we
take it from there?
My heart fluttered.
That sounds good to me.
Shaking my hands out I was grinning
like a fool. Starting my car I pulled out of the parking lot. This week might
have been a little rough, but I had a date with Sawyer tomorrow. We were going
to the beach as well, which in itself helped restart every fiber in me. That
could help me relax for the upcoming week a little. Rolling down the windows a
little I turned up the music. I was going to enjoy the fresh air as much as I
could.
When I got home I quickly changed
into my pajamas and threw my hair into a bun. Tonight I was going to do laundry
and relax, tomorrow I was going to have some fun.
Leaning over my mirror I opened my
eyes real wide to get each lash with the mascara. My lashes were already dark,
but the mascara helped with the defining, at least that’s what I was told.
Mixing a couple of shades of eyeshadow I coated each eyelid with the shimmery
powder, but made sure not to cover the eyeliner. Grabbing my brush I pulled it
through my nearly black mane. The light waves were pulled straight with each
action then sprung back to their original form. Gathering the strands I pulled
it up and turned my head a couple of times. Scrunching my face I let them fall
back down my back. Taking a couple of steps back I looked at the mirror on my
dresser.
I pulled on my light pink shirt,
then smoothed out my grey and blue striped skirt that came down to a little
above my knees. Exhaling I glanced around my room. It was nice to dress for
something other than work. Now to go grab my sandals. Opening up my closet I
bent over to pick up silver sandals from my shoe rack. Slipping them on, I
gripped the straps to my purse. Jogging down the stairs I didn’t want to be
late.
“I’m going out with Sawyer, see you
all later,” I called out as I ran out the door.
Practically running down the path I
went to my car. After going through a couple of radio stations I finally
settled on one. Zooming out of the neighborhood I made my way towards the
beach. It seemed like I managed to hit every red light on the way. My thumbs
drummed against the steering wheel with the beats. As I got closer to the Main
Street people were strolling on both sides. Some were still in their bathing
suits with a cover up or t-shirt. A couple of kids were running ahead of some
adults who were calling for them. I turned down Twelfth Avenue. Driving by the
homes, over the summer most of the houses had out of state license plates in
the driveways. Now, more of the state that I knew was coming back.
The homes were big, some still with
fresh siding on them. Off to the side a group of people around my age were
sitting on a front porch with a cooler. The horizon was becoming bluer. The
corners of my lips turned in. The meters that were up all summer for right on
the beach parking were taken down. Once my car was off, I got out and jumped
onto the boardwalk, holding the sides of my skirt down. I sat on a bench as a
breeze came through.
Crossing my ankles I leaned back
against the wood back. The salty air surrounded me. Taking in a deep breath the
week that I had become a faint memory. The sounds of laughter and waves
crashing against the sand reached my ears. The hums of the waves were a
soothing melody to me. Checking my phone I saw that I was five minutes early. Sawyer
was never early.
Sitting on the bench I watched some
kids finishing up a sandcastle. An older couple was holding hands as they strolled
on the waterline. The woman’s face was towards me, but her eyes were on the man
she was with. Tilting my head I kept my eyes on them until they were too far. I
wondered if Sawyer and I would end up like that couple. Checking my phone again
it was quarter after six. Sawyer didn’t text me. My knee started to bounce. If
I hit every red light, maybe he had as well. He usually left his house late to
begin with.
The few families that were on the
beach slowly dwindled. However, behind me I could hear people sauntering by as
their feet hit the boards. Some of the restaurants were getting a little
louder. The sky was turning a mixture of orange, purple, and pink. I looked at
my phone. It was a few minutes after seven. Sawyer hated when I checked up on
him. Picking up my phone closer to my face I clicked on Kensi’s name. She
picked up on the second ring.
“Hey, what’s up?”
I sighed. “Hey.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m hungry and have been stood up.
I’m at the beach and I’m really regretting my skirt decision.”
“What ave?”
“Twelve.”
“I’ll be right there.”
She hung up before I could say
anything else. I slid down the bench and crossed my arms over my chest. Titling
my head back I stared at the sky above my head. I was so stupid thinking that
this was going to cheer me up. After everything we’ve been through I should’ve
known there was a good chance that he wasn’t going to show up. My eyes stung. I
kept blinking and took in deep breaths. I was in public.
“Sonja?”
I sat up and turned around. There
was Kensi holding a pizza. She was in long pants and a flowy plum color tank
top. Her blonde hair was tied in a high ponytail. In her arms was a box of
pizza with a brown paper bag on top. I smiled. Using her other hand she tossed
me something. Narrowing my eyes I caught it, there were a pair of shorts. I
laughed.
“Go put those on in my truck and
we’ll eat our feast of champions.”
I shook my head and jumped off the
boardwalk to get into her SUV. Climbing in I shut the door quickly. I pulled
the shorts on under my skirt, trying to keep low in the backseats. Yanking my
skirt off I buttoned her shorts. They were a little tight, but I would take
them. I left my skirt in the back and went to join Kensi on the boardwalk.
“Feel a little better?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
We walked down the stairs towards
the sand.
“I know that’s not how you planned
on getting out of your skirt tonight.” She continued.
“Thanks.” I answered dryly.
“Hey, I brought pizza, cheesy
garlic bread, and some desert you should love me.”
I laughed. “I do. How can I argue
with an opening like that?”
She plopped down and I mimicked.
She opened the box to reveal a pepperoni pizza. Kensi leaned over and pulled
out a bottle of water for each of us. I took it and put it in the sand next to
me. I took a slice out of the box and groaned as I took the first bite.
“I’m starving.”
She giggled. “I can tell.”
I finished one slice and chugged
some water.
“So, now that you have some food in
you, care to explain?”
I separated another piece of pizza.
The cheese stretched and I had to peel the cheese to let it free.
“Same old story. Kind of crazy
first week. Sawyer said we’d meet up tonight here at six and I called you at
seven. I haven’t heard from him to explain why he didn’t show.”
She shook her head. “I swear I
don’t get why you keep giving him more chances or what you see in him.”
I glanced over at her and swallowed
what I had in my mouth.
“I don’t know, it’s kind of hard to
explain. He is nice to me.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Standing
you up, isn’t being nice to you.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m aware, but
when we do see each other he is nice.”
“You’re a great person,” I shifted
my eyes to her as she was talking. “I just wish you’d see that and leave his
dumb, worthless, ass behind.”
I lowered the pizza for a moment.
“I don’t know why I can’t.”
She wrapped an arm around me.
“It’s going to be hard to let go of
a first love, but I’ll be here for every step. I want you to be happy.” I
rested my head on her shoulder. “Lucky for you the first step includes food. I
also have a couple slices cheesecake in this bag.”
I laughed and wiped my eyes.
“I don’t know what I’d do without
you.”
She grinned ear to ear. “Good news
for you is that you won’t ever have to worry about that.”
I smiled.
The next day I was tying my hair
back as I was jogging down the stairs. When I reached the first level I turned
down the hall. Audrey was sitting on the couch eating something for lunch. It
looked like part of a quesadilla. When I walked into the kitchen, her
quesadilla maker was still on the counter, flipped open. Peppers, onions,
cheese, and a few other stuff were spread across the counter top. Every fiber of
my being cringed. I kept my head turned away as I went into the fridge to
search for something. I sucked in and made some clicking noises. There was some
fruit, a couple Tupperware containers, and a package of chicken. Opening one of
the containers there was a slice of chicken pie. I heated it in the microwave.
Pulling out a drawer I grabbed a fork and made my way back up the stairs,
nibbling as I went up.
When I got up the stairs I sat down
on my bed, moving around until I was comfortable. Lighting up my phone I
checked to see if I had any messages. Taking in a deep breath I let it out
slowly. I was not going to give in to text him. Shaking my head I got up to put
my phone on the furthest dresser before going back to bed.
