Trouble and I

Car Ride

Music blasts in my ears as I watch the clear blue sky in nothing but boredom. I didn’t want to be here but I had no choice, my back aches from being pressed up against the uncomfortable bleachers as Cole finishes up soccer practice.

The week is closing to the end and I couldn’t be happier about it, I didn’t think the whispers and stares would last this long but I was dead wrong.

Classes are good except for the people that are in them. Besides the gossiping teens, I noticed have at least one or more people from Cole’s clique in each one of my classes.

Ever since Monday I haven’t stepped foot in the cafeteria, I usually sit outside and listen to music or go into the library and, once again, listen to music because god knows I won’t pick up a book.

Things at Stuart’s house has been the same awkward dinners and conversations, the usual. Claire has been coming over these past days but I tend to stick in my room anyway.

Closing my eyes, I smile at the sun being on my face, the feeling washed away the stress and anxiety from the week. I try to think about what I should do next, maybe trying to find a hobby or a job.

The more I think about it, I realize I’m low on funds at the moment. A job it is then.

I pull one earbud out just in time to hear the warning, “Look out!”

My view from the field is blocked by a ball flying towards me. I realize I have no time to react and move out of the way so when the ball barely misses me and gets jammed in between the bleacher's everyone looks shocked.

“She didn’t even flinch.” I heard one of the player's gasps but boy was he wrong.

My heart is on the verge of falling out of my chest, “You i***t, watch where you’re kicking!”

I’m sitting at the top of the bleachers, there’s no way the ball would have been accidentally kicked here unless it was on purpose.

A small group of three laughs while huddled up together, though the guy in the middle only looks smug as he stands with his arms crossed over his chest.

My nose flared at the cocky smile on his face and before I know it, I stand grabbing the ball with force before descending the bleachers with purpose.

I feel all eyes on me but my line of sight doesn’t stray from the guy I’m about to strangle.

“Oh look, here she comes, James.” One of his friends throws his hands up in ‘fear’ causing them all to laugh.

With a tight grip on the ball, I push it into the leader's stomach. James immediately stops his laughing as he coughs from the force of the ball.

“You missed.” I grin satisfied seeing the smug look wiped away from his face.

“Hey!” One of his friends calls.

Now that I see him up close, he’s not bad looking at all. His sandy brown hair sticks up in all directions but the sides of his head is shaved. The haircut helps define his chiseled face, he would look even better without his rotten attuited.

Straightening up his smirk returns, “Feisty, that’s how I like my women.” His smirk widens as he slowly assesses my body.

I don’t hide the disgust on my face, “I’d rather choke on my vomit.”

I become alarmed at the glint in his eyes as he looks down at me as if I’m nothing but flesh. James leans down to become eye level with me, his tongue darts out to lick his lips as if he can’t control himself.

“How about I give you something else you can choke on.” He smiles, his breath fanning against my face.

My eyes widen at his p*****t remark as my hands clench at my side. I back up away from his disturbing gaze but my back hits against someone.

“Is there a problem here?” The sound of his voice froze me to my place as my body stiffens.

The heat emitting from his body surrounds me like a shield. James’s face dropped as his friends backed away from the scene in surrender. His once cocky demeanor vanished and is replaced by something more docile.

I didn’t have to turn around to know that Seven was giving James the glare of the century. I had experienced it just days ago, his gaze is strong enough to have anyone shaken.

James takes a step back while forcing a smile, “Nah man, we’re just having a friendly conversation.”

A dry chuckle comes from the right of me, “And here I thought you were harassing my sister.” Cole drapes his arm over my shoulder while a lazy smile plays on his lips.

Never have I seen Cole act like this, the Cole I know is goofy and carefree. Standing next to me he seems to be like that on the outside but his eyes tell a different story as he stares at James.

Is this really Cole?

“I don’t want any problems.” James glances between the two guys surrounding me before he catches my eye, “I didn’t mean it.”

“Leave.” Seven growls making me shiver from his tone.

James throws his hands up in surrender before walking to the other end of the field. The other players on the team all stand around watching the scene unfold while whispering, most likely gossiping.

Shrugging Cole’s arm off, I turn around, “I had that.” I claim glancing between both Cole and Seven.

Seven scoffs walking away to the sideline where the bags of the team bags lay. Turning to Cole he only scratches his head giving me a sheepish smile.

“I know you did, but James is a creep so I backed you up.” Sighing I nod thanking him.

“I guess I’ll thank you.” I cooed pinching his cheeks.

Swatting my hand away he rubs his face whining, “Not in front of everyone, Ki.”

Laughing at his pouting face the tension between us from throughout the week disappears like it was never there. Today reminded me of all the times Cole and I used to get into trouble and by the end of it, we’d laugh.

“Practice is over, I’ll be going to the car now.” He grumbles walking away but I tackle him.

Being like this with Cole brings a smile to my face, “Getty up.” I laugh having that nostalgia feeling come back.

Cole secures me on his back as he whines, “You’re too heavy.”

“It’s called healthy weight.” I tell him proudly, “now come on, I left my bag at the top of the bleachers.”

Cole stops shaking me off of him, “Like hell I’m climbing those stairs with your heavy ass on my back.”

Smiling I nod, “Well since I’m not anymore you have nothing else to complain about.”

“Kara!” Cole yells as I start making my way to the carpark, “I’m not getting your bag.”

I wave my hand without turning around, Cole continues to shout and curse at me but I only ignore him as I leave the field.

As I lean against Cole’s car, I only have to wait a few minutes before he shows up. With him is Claire and her friend dressed in workout clothes like they just came from practice.

When Cole sees me, he shoots me a glare and I only smile seeing my bag in his hand. Despite not knowing who he is now, there are still a few things that haven’t changed.

“Oi took you long enough.”

Cole grumbles tossing my bag to me, I can’t help but laugh but my smile soon fades seeing his girlfriend and her friend standing off to the side.

As soon as the car unlocks I reach for the back door of the car but I’m stopped before I can reach it.

“You should sit in the front.” Both Cole and I look at Claire, me with a blank face and Cole with a confused one.

“That’s okay, the back is fine with me.” I wave her off but she continues.

“Raven isn’t comfortable around people she doesn’t know, she’s just too shy to admit it.” She smiles glancing at her friend who remains quiet.

Everyday Cole drops Claire home or she comes with us to back to the house but today she now has her friend with her. Now that I’ve come to realize, I’ve never heard her speak before.

Shrugging I don’t stand in their way, “If you say so.”

We pile into the car in complete silence, Cole looks in the rearview mirror speaking to Claire with his eyes.

We drive in awkward silence just like every day but today it just seems to be double the amount. Don’t get me wrong, I have no negative feelings towards Claire but I don’t have any positive ones either.

“See you tomorrow, Raven.” Cole bids her goodbye while Claire hugs her.

“Bye.” She calls back.

I’m surprised for her voice to be strong since I haven’t seen her speak much I thought her voice would be small like Mya’s.

Getting back on the road, I turn to watch the houses that we pass by while humming. I almost drift into sleep but shake myself out of it has I recognized we are heading to the house.

“Is she coming with us?” I asked curiously.

Cole tightened his hand in the steering wheel, “She,” he starts emphasizing the word, “has a name and yes.” Cole looks annoyed with me.

Pulling into the driveway, Cole quickly collects his things before storming off into the house. His angry strides leave me confused, enough to glue to my seat.

“I’m sorry.” The burst of Claire's words has my attention.

“What?”

She looked in pain, “Please don’t make me say it again.” She whined.

I heard a small grunt coming from her before she spoke once again. “I’m sorry for the other day, I was way out of hand and I ruined your first day of school.”

“It’s fine I wasn’t mad about it,” I mumbled, my mind on somewhere else.

“Oh.” She says as she climbs out the car and I do the same.

“Then why do you give us all the cold shoulder?” She asked her voice slightly rising.

I go to answer but can’t think of anything at the moment.

“Look I don’t know the whole story with you and your brother but I know he’s happy you’re here. Don’t blame him for my mistake, he doesn’t deserve it.”

Guilt washes over me as Claire leaves into the house. She has a point, maybe I’m overreacting. I should leave the past in the past, I just hope it’s as easy as said.

Frustrated, I march into the house to find Claire screaming as Boots stands tall barking at her. I can’t help the smirk that makes its way onto my face.

“He doesn’t bite.” I wave her off grabbing Boots by his collar.

The barking stops as I begin to rub him all over, greeting him from the long day apart.

Looking over to Claire her face is in horror, “That wolf is name is Boots?!”

Chuckling I smile at her reaction before I reach out my hand asking for her. Hesitantly she gives me hers and I direct it to Boots.

She pulls her hand back a little but I give her a reassuring nod and she lets Boots sniff her hand for a little.

I watch them interact. Confident enough, Claire slowly starts to pet him which he loves.

Nodding at the problem solving I climb up the stairs, “Hey wait up.”

Entering the room, I flopped down on the bed sighing in relaxation kicking off my shoes.

“Your room is nice.” Claire complements.

“Uh, thanks.” Turning over on my stomach I think about how I can apologize to Cole without actually saying it.

Without having to turn around I can feel Claire’s questioning stare, “What is it?” I ask.

“What?” She asks surprised I noticed.

“You want to ask something, what is it?” I repeat.

I feel her hesitate for a moment before finally asking, “What happened to your face.”

Without skipping a beat, I respond, “I fell.” My tone is rough and dry as if warning her not to push the subject

“How clumsy of you.” She replied sarcastically.

A moment of silence passes before she jumps up, “We should do something to get break the ice.”

Rolling over to look if she being serious, I find that she completely serious, “Aren’t you here for Cole?” I frown.

“Cole can wait and besides he needs to cool down.”

Agreeing with her, both Claire and I decide to watch a movie. We choose a movie we haven’t seen and settle into the living room where the biggest tv I’ve ever seen, outside a theater, sits perfectly on the wall.

As we watch the movie, I can’t help but think…

Claire isn’t that bad.