Chapter 24

My morning had went by fast. I was sitting in maths waiting for the bell to ring. It was lunch next and I
couldn't wait to stuff my face. Alanna wasn't in chemistry and I was worried she had went home.

The bell rung and I made my way to the lunch hall. I could see Lacey but not Alanna. Wait was that
Jack? Why was he here? Lifting a tray I picked up some chicken and a green leaf salad. I still had
some water and snacks in my bag. Making my way to their table I smiled as Ryan winked at me. He
was sat with his football friends.

"Hey". I smiled taking a seat.

"Hi how has your morning been?". Lacey grinned. Jack had his arm slung over her shoulder. I was
confused as to why he was here. He didn't attend school anymore.

"It's been okay. I didn't see Alanna in chemistry, is she sick?". I hope she wasn't away home because of
Kane.

"Family business. She did say she'd be back for lunch but I guess not". Shrugging her shoulders she
began to eat her lunch. "Can I ask you something?". She whispered leaning closer.

"Lacey". Jack warned.

"I want to know". She whined.

"Know what?". I asked noticing the table had went silent.

"Lacey don't you dare". Jack hissed but I was intrigued to know what she wanted to ask.

"She's not". A girl piped up from the end of the table. I remember her from the night out we went on.
Jessica I'm sure her name was. "I mean she's not his type". She smirked.



"I wish she was". Holly sighed. "She'd be good for him and I bet he wouldn't be such a dick with her by
his side".

"Holly". Jessica snapped. "Shut up".

"Are you talking about Jake?". I asked.

"Yes". Lacey grinned. "Are you dating?".

What?

"No". I laughed. Lacey's grin fell into a frown. Awkward. "I'm not dating anyone and I plan on keeping it
that way until I graduate".

"See I told you she wasn't his type". Jessica giggled.

"Whatever". I mumbled. The chatter at the table began to pick up again. I'm glad I was living rent free in
that girls head.

What was so special about Jake that every girl wanted a piece of him.

Eating the rest of my lunch I could feel her staring at me. She surely couldn't be annoyed because I
wasn't dating Jake.

"Lacey". I sighed.

"He's a good one Leah and you would be good for him".

Why did they think I would be good for him? They didn't know me that well.

"Maybe". I shrugged just as the bell went signalling lunch was over. As I was emptying my tray the
noise around me seemed to simmer. Turning around my eyes fell back on our table. Alanna had



arrived, she seemed deep in conversation with Jack.

Both their eyes fell on me.

Something was wrong I could feel it but it was none of my business. Putting my tray away I about
turned and started to leave. I had English and I couldn't be late. I didn't need to give Mr Gallagher
another reason to hate me.

..

I didn't get the chance to speak with Abby, she didn't turn up to English. This is the only class I have
with her so I wondered if she had maybe went home sick. Mr Gallagher didn't say much to me. I
explained I had typed my work up and that it would be handed in on time. English was a breeze.

School was nearly finished and I couldn't wait to go home and nap. I wasn't feeling great, I had the
worse gut feeling ever. Maybe I could reschedule with Ryan I'm sure he would understand.

My gran had texted me to make sure I would be home after school. She really wanted me to meet
George. As the bell went signalling school was over I put my books in my bag and slung it over my
shoulder.

Ryan was waiting for me outside my class. "You're going to hate me Leah. I have to cancel, coach is
bursting my balls about the game next Friday. I'm so sorry".

"It's okay I'm not really feeling good anyway". I smiled. "We can reschedule next week".

"If I can't do tomorrow I'm free Saturday if that suits you?".

"I'll double check with my gran incase she has anything planned but I'll let you know".



"Sorry again Leah. I'll see you tomorrow I have to get back". As he ran back inside I realised I didn't
have a lift home from school.

"Great". I sighed just what I needed and to make it worse it started to rain. Buttoning my jacket up I
pulled the hood over my head. The parking lot wasn't empty yet so there may still be someone here
that'll give me a lift. Walking closer to the exit of the school grounds the rain started to become heavier.

"Leah?". Turning around I sighed with relief when I saw Lacey. "You needing a lift?". She asked.

"Is that okay?". I hated having to rely on everyone else for lifts. It wouldn't be for much longer. Once I
started working at the gas station I could start to save again.

"Of course it is come on". Reaching her car I jumped in just glad to be out of the cold and rain. I
couldn't imagine having to walk home in that. "The dark nights are coming in Leah. You shouldn't walk
home when it's like this". Starting her car she pulled out of the parking lot. "It's not safe".

"I know but sometimes I don't have a choice". I wasn't even sure if I knew how to get home by walking.

"How's the job search going, any luck?". She asked.

"Yes actually". I smiled. "Jake offered me a job at the gas station". I wasn't sure if that was a done deal
right enough. "Well if his parents agree to it".

"Yeah?". She grinned. "That's great Leah and I wouldn't worry about Jakes parents saying no.
Charlotte loves you".

"I'm just glad I can finally start to save some money again and put it towards a car. I'm not big on
always having to rely on other people. I hate it".

"I get that". She said as she pulled into my street. "But I'll always help out and I'm sure Alanna will as
well". Speaking of Alanna where was she? She looked panicked at lunch and I hadn't seen her since.



"Is Alanna okay?". I asked as the car came to a stop.

"She's okay her family have a lot going on just now. Wasn't Ryan suppose to be tutoring you tonight?".

"He had to cancel due to football". I shrugged feeling my phone vibrate. "He's coming by tomorrow
though".

"Cool okay well I'll see you tomorrow".

"Bye Lacey and thanks again". Unclipping my belt I got out. "See you tomorrow".

Heading inside I kicked my shoes off and hung my jacket up. I could hear laughter and chatter coming
from the kitchen. I wasn't nervous about meeting George. He made my gran happy so I was happy.

"Leah honey in here". She called from the kitchen. Dumping my bag at the side of the couch I noticed
the roses had been moved.

George was roughly the same age as my gran maybe a little older. Silvery grey hair and a masculine
build with piercing blue eyes.

"It's nice to finally meet you Leah". Smiling at me he held out his hand. "I've heard so much about you".
Shame I couldn't say the same. Slipping my hand in his I smiled at him. "It's nice to meet you too".

"Dinner won't be long so go get cleaned up I'll give you a shout when it's ready".

"Cool". Opening the fridge I grabbed a bottle of coke and made my way up to my room. I would have to
ask her later where she moved the roses too. After showering and slipping into some fresh pjs I set up
my laptop hoping to finish my English work.

Today had been a weird day. I still had the worst gut feeling and I couldn't shake it off. Turning on my tv
I settled on the music channels for some back ground noise.



Checking my phone I forgot that I had receive a message when I got home.

'Do you want to go for a milkshake tonight?Ax'

I thought she had family business to deal with. I could always go out after dinner for a little while.
Besides I needed to find out if I had a job or not. Jake hadn't mentioned anything else.

'Sure after dinner?'

After sending the message I started to get ready. Pulling on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt I shoved my
feet into my UGG boots. Untying my hair I brushed it out before putting it back up into a messy bun.

'Or we could just get food when we're out?Ax'

There was no way I was getting out of this dinner. Not when she had waited so long to introduce me to
George. I suppose I could always try.

'Don't know if she'll let me skip tonight. I'm meeting her male friend'

Lifting my glasses I put them on. I had never been one for contacts because I didn't need to wear them
all the time but recently my eyes had been sore more often that usual.

Gathering my things I dumbed them in my bag making sure I remember cash. Raiding my closet I took
of my parka and slipped it on. It was the weather for it.

Now all I needed to do was convince my gran to let me go. I know tonight was kind of special for her
but I didn't need to know George. As long as he made her happy and he was good to her then that's all
that mattered.

"Leah sweetheart dinner-..oh you're there. Why are you dressed like you're going out?". She frowned.



"Alanna asked me to go for a milkshake. Can I go?". I asked. I didn't want her to give me the
disappointed look. If she really wanted me to stay then I would.

"Of course you can Leah. You don't need to ask you're eighteen but just remember to be home for 11
you've still got school tomorrow".

"Thanks gran". Kissing her cheek I made my way out the front door. Texting Alanna I slowly started to
walk towards her house. One thing I loved about this street was how quiet it was. Reaching Alanna's I
texted her letting her know I was outside. I wondered if Lacey would be coming too. Hearing the
laughter I turned around. Jack and a few other guys I didn't know were walking out from the wooded
area that surrounded Jakes house.

All shirtless. I don't know how they do it. I was dressed for the winter and still
freezing.

"Alanna asked me to go for a milkshake. Can | go?". | asked. | didn't want her to give me the
disappointed look. If she really wanted me to stay then | would.

"Of course you can Leah. You don't need to ask you're eighteen but just remember to be home for 11
you've still got school tomorrow".

"Thanks gran". Kissing her cheek | made my way out the front door. Texting Alanna | slowly started to
walk towards her house. One thing | loved about this street was how quiet it was. Reaching Alanna's |
texted her letting her know | was outside. | wondered if Lacey would be coming too. Hearing the
laughter | turned around. Jack and a few other guys | didn't know were walking out from the wooded
area that surrounded Jakes house.

All shirtless. | don't know how they do it. | was dressed for the winter and still
freezing.



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