My mate, My exception novel Chapter 19

My shoulders slump as I realize I have a whole lot of explaining to do now. I am thinking of how to phrase my reaction when Dylan appears on the other side of me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. As much as this would normally bother me, I am thankful that I am saved- for now.

"I'll talk to you later!" I happily say to Riley, hoping she'll think that I don't want to bring it up in front of Dylan.

"I'm holding you to that Ifer!" She yells at me as she continues down the hallway to her class. Dylan turns me so that we are both heading towards the cafeteria again and starts talking to one of his buddies who falls in step with us.

His action really annoys me.

I mean, come on. He puts his arm around me like I'm some type of trophy to show off and then just drags me along like I'm a toy. Maybe it was my conscious only thinking about Jake but I was getting pretty upset.

I shift out of his arm when we enter the cafeteria and go to sit by Leah. I call over Ali, one of Leah's friends who I didn't really talk to as much, and have her sit on my other side to strike up a conversation with her. I don't particularly care about how her weekend went, which I know makes me sound like a horrible person, but I really couldn't stand sitting by Dylan for half an hour.

After Dylan sits at the other end of the table and we all start eating, Leah starts sending looks in my direction. Ali and I have long since ended our conversation and I know Leah is looking for an explanation to my abruptness.

Leah texted me yesterday and I responded that I was with Jake. She never texted me back, but I knew she wanted info. Apparently all of my friends needed updating today.

"So..... How'd it go?" She asks subtly.

Leah isn't my very best friend- that title is reserved for Riley- but we are still pretty close. We probably have known eachother longer than we have anyone else. Our friendship may not be super strong, but it has been super long. Even though Leah is pretty popular, she still makes time for me and always is willing to talk.

"Well," I start, "are you referring to the date, the fight, us making up, or the making out?" I finish with a wink. She drops her jaw and her eyes widened.

"No way!" She whisper yells.

"...because if you ask me," I drop my voice to a lower octave "it was all pretty great." I lean back and bite my lip, raising my one eyebrow to hear her response. She squeals with me.

"Why am I not surprised." She sarcastically states to me, rolling her eyes. "It figures that the shy girl gets the popular guy in just three days."