Chapter 17Lawrence
Chapter Seventeen
Lawrence
13 years old
The bell rings, and I'm out of my seat faster than you can say "mystery meat surprise." I weave through the crowded hallways, dodging elbows and backpacks like I'm in some kind of middle school obstacle course. My eyes scan the sea of faces, searching for the one that matters most.
There she is. Lauren.
We lock eyes and she grins, that mischievous smile that always makes my heart do a little flip. Without a word, we're both beelining for the side exit. It's like we have some kind of telepathic connection or something. Maybe that's what happens when you live with someone for three years.
"Race you to the tree!" Lauren calls over her shoulder as we burst into the sunlight.
I laugh, picking up my pace. "You're on!"
We sprint across the grass, the warm spring air whipping past us. Lauren's ponytail bounces with each step, and I can't help but smile. This is our routine, our little escape from the chaos of middle school life.
We reach the old oak tree at the same time, both of us collapsing against its trunk, breathless and giggling.
"Tie?" I offer, sliding down to sit on the soft grass.
Lauren nods, plopping down next to me. "Tie. For now. I'll get you next time."
I roll my eyes, but I'm still grinning. "Keep dreaming."
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment as we take out our lunches and catch our breath. I lean back against the rough bark of the tree, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. It's moments like these that make me forget about all the crap I've been through. All the moving around, all the uncertainty. Here, under this tree with Lauren, I feel... home.
"So," Lauren says, breaking the silence. "How's life on the green team treating you?"
In this middle school, each grade is divided into four teams, each with their own set of teachers. This year Lauren and I got put on different teams. Me on green, her on blue.
I groan dramatically. "Ugh, don't remind me. It's like being exiled to a foreign country. A very boring, Lauren-less foreign country."
She laughs, shoving my shoulder playfully. "Oh, come on. It can't be that bad. Have you made any new friends?"
I shrug, picking at a blade of grass. "A few, I guess. But they're not... you know."
"Me?" She raises an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eye.
"Shut up," I mutter, feeling my cheeks heat up. "You know what I mean. It's just different."
Lauren's expression softens. "I know. But hey, at least we still have lunch together, right?"
I nod, letting out a small sigh. "Yeah. I just... I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I'm right back where I started. Like I don't really fit in anywhere."
Lauren scoots closer, bumping her shoulder against mine. "Hey. You fit in with me, okay? And with my family. You're stuck with us now, Larry Sinclair. No take-backs."
I can't help but smile at that. "Promise?"
"Promise," she says firmly. Lauren tilts her head, her long hair falling over one shoulder. "So, what've you been up to in your classes? Anything cool?"
I snort. "If by 'cool' you mean dorky science experiments, then yeah, tons."
"Ooh, do tell," she says, leaning in with exaggerated interest as she takes a bite of her sandwich.
I roll my eyes but can't help grinning. "We did this thing where we tested different materials to insulate cups. You know, to see which held in heat the best."
Lauren's nose scrunches up. "Seriously? That's so dumb. They sell Yetis now, you know."
"Oh, wow, really?" I deadpan. "I had no idea. Thanks for enlightening me, oh wise one."
She sticks her tongue out at me, and I laugh. "For your information, Miss Know-It-All, our experiment showed aluminum was the best."
"Fascinating," she drawls, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. I try not to stare.
"What about you?" I ask, desperate to change the subject. "Any classes you're not completely bored in?"
Her eyes light up. "English, actually. We're writing stories, and I love it."
I make a face before I can stop myself. Reading? Writing? No thanks.
Lauren notices and swats my arm. "Don't be like that! It's really fun. Want me to share one?"
"Uh, sure," I say, not entirely convinced but willing to humor her.
She grins. "Remember that dream I told you about? The one with the unicorns?"
"How could I forget?" I groan. "You've only mentioned it about a million times."
Lauren laughs, the sound bright and clear in the quiet afternoon. She's still twirling her hair, and I find myself mesmerized by the motion. "Well," she continues, "I turned it into a story. Want to hear it?"
I nod, settling back against the tree trunk. "Hit me with your best unicorn action."
Lauren's eyes narrow playfully. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Busted. I feel heat creep up my neck. "I, uh... just noticed you always twirl your hair when you laugh. It's... nice."
She stops immediately, her hand dropping to her lap. "Oh. I didn't realize?—"
"No, don't stop," I blurt out. "I mean, I like it. I like when you laugh."
Her cheeks flush pink, and for a second, I think I've royally screwed up. But then she smiles, soft and shy, and my heart does a little flip.
Suddenly, a loud buzz cuts through the air. Lauren's eyes go wide with fear. "Bee!" she yelps, practically diving into my arms.
Without thinking, I wrap my arms around her, shielding her from the angry insect. "It's okay," I murmur, trying to sound braver than I feel. "I've got you."
The bee buzzes past, but Lauren doesn't pull away. I can smell her shampoo – something floral and sweet. She feels so warm against me, so... right. I look down, and she tilts her face up to mine.
Time seems to slow down. My heart's pounding so hard I'm sure she can hear it. Before I can chicken out, I lean in and press my lips to hers.
The kiss is brief, just a soft brush of lips, but it feels like fireworks are going off in my chest. When I pull back, Lauren's smiling, twirling her hair again. I open my mouth, not sure what I'm going to say, when?—
"What are you two doing?!"
A teacher's voice cuts through the moment like a bucket of ice water. Busted. So very, very busted.