Chapter 42

Full time around Luke was more than torture. It was a slow suffocation, if that made sense. Everyday around him from day to night and after, it got harder and harder. I noticed that he was acting like himself again. But... in a different way. It seemed forced. Like he had something on his mind but forced it away. He acted as if we were the good friends we have become like before. However, there was also this unspoken air around us and we both felt it. Just... tense in a way, even though we acted fine around each other. It felt like I was holding shit back from him and he was doing the same. There was a space between us and it was something I just had to get use to because it was for the best after all.

It was a strange adjustment. Since I always had to be in sight, that clearly meant going everywhere with him and him with me. I went to his work with him, he had to sleep on my bedroom floor. He was being serious about protecting me because he also had an alarm system installed. Not to mention the bars on my window, which I did not like but had to deal with. It also really started to piss Clare off. For one, she wanted time with her husband. But that meant time with me. I honestly couldn't blame her for being mad, not after I teased her about being with Luke more than her - which I probably shouldn't have done. I wanted less drama, not more.

It helped to get out of the house. There was already tension between Luke and I. If we were doing nothing but sitting in front of the TV, it was very clear, that awkwardness between us. Not to mention, being home meant being with Clare for the most part. And the three of us together... that wasn't that relaxing either, especially with death glares coming at me from Queen Bitch. So the fact that I needed to learn how to drive brought about the best opportunity to get out and away and do something.

The rest of the week was spent reading through the book Luke gave me on driving. He was my instructor, teaching me the basics of driving. He drew out on a small board on what to do where, in what situation. How to deal with one ways, when to turn your blinker on, how to treat train tracks. Procedures with changing lanes, how to read road signs, and all that other boring shit.

So now, after enough time spent learning that dull BS, Luke was sitting with me in the passenger seat. Yes, that means I was in the drivers seat. I know, who the hell is dumb enough to put a crazy chick in charge of driving? Luke I guess. What's worse: I was in his cop car. Who knows what the hell I'll do when I'm this excited. I didn't want to be here with him but my grin wouldn't leave now.

Sitting next to me, I could feel him watch my every move. The moment I started to drive out of our driveway, I felt myself give a small laugh. I never did this before, nonetheless in a fucking cop car!

"Are you allowed to let me do this? Let me use this car I mean," I asked, accelerating carefully until I got to the appropriate speed on our road. I know, I'm shocked too I didn't take advantage and immediately start using all this sweetass equipment and pulling people over. To be fair, I was just learning. That might come later if you guys are lucky.

Looking over at him, he gave a hint of a smile before it was gone as he glanced away and out the window. "I am your instructor and was not provided with any other vehicle. And I want you to learn from a car, not my truck. It would be easier."

"So that's a no..." I smirked, eyes ahead, paying attention to any upcoming signs. I smirked though when all I heard was a scoff then silence, telling me I was right. Smiling slightly, I checked my mirrors and watched my speed. I was determined to show him I wouldn't mess up. But after a few more minutes of silence in the car, he spoke up as we approached the busier side of town.

"Go right at the next light," he commented.

I nodded in silence, pulling up to the red light along with the other cars, in the farthest right lane. Stopped, I put my blinker on and when I pulled up far enough, I watched for traveling traffic before I turned and continued driving along. It was rather easy for me so far. And I really wasn't too nervous.

We continued like that for a while, besides silence, just given directions on where to go. I only asked him a few questions so far and I was doing good. Though it was common to be silent during this, after awhile. he started testing whether I could talk while driving because he started asking me questions. Irrelevant ones at that that seemed to be asked just for the sake of it. That was until I was getting bored.

"Can I chase someone down now? I have the car for it."

He scoffed and in my side vision, I saw him shake his head. "I think you already know the answer to that one."

"Can I use the speakers to scream at people walking on the sidewalks?"

"No."

"Can I turn the sirens on and speed? You know, at least act like there is an emergency to have some fun?"

"No," he said lightly again as I came to a stop at a stop sign before continuing on.

"Can I look you up on this handy-dandy computer?" I said, gesturing to the monitor that was mounted on the dash board, facing me.

He chuckled and I glanced to him at my side, his amused eyes meeting mine before I looked back to the road, smirking. "No, you can not."

"Ooh..." I said, teasing. "Is there something in your file you don't want me to see?"

He laughed. "Um no...."

"You were a sex offender, weren't you?" I asked serious.

Hiding his laugh, he sighed and dramatically ran a hand through his hair. Still watching the road, I took in his sarcastic words. "Yes, Albany. I was a sex offender. Because that is something that is usual in a police officer's past."

I laughed. "I knew it."

I was surprised I was able to stay so focused and for this amount of time driving. Once he told me to turn around and go back, he said that I was doing a great job. In fact, he told me most people don't spend so much time driving the first time. He was somewhat proud. I was surprised I didn't crash.

It was a decent day for once since lately it's been shitty. I mean, usually my day consists of me following Luke around work or watching TV. So this was nice, and a step in the right direction for driving. Of course, tomorrow would be one hell of a different story.

***

"I'm sick. I'll throw up all over you. We better turn around and go back home while we can." I said in a low voice, leaning my head against the car window. My eyes following the trail of trees and early morning traffic, I sighed.

"You are not, you're fine Trust me, I'm not thrilled about this either," Luke said, his voice packed with clear worry over me. I glanced over to him and watched as he looked in his mirror before changing lanes, heading towards our exit. I could feel it in the speed of my heart that we were getting close.

Do I need to explain to you guys what's happening? Or can you figure it out when I say it was going to be one hell of a shitty day?

"You have my number. Call me if anything happens and you need me."

I scoffed. "Well, something's going to happen. You can count on that."

He groaned, pursing his lips tightly. Yeah, you could tell he was just as excited about this as I was. He ran a hand through his hair, his other steady as can be on the wheel. Soon, I would be driving and he wont have to be doing this everyday.

With his uniform on, even in the dim light of dawn, you could tell he was ready for a hard day at work. He was working constantly with the other officers, trying to track Mark down. And this would be the first time away since I usually go to work with him.

"Do you have your schedule?" he asked me.

I looked at him with sarcastic eyes as he watched the road. "You ask me now? When we are nearly there?" I smile slightly, looking down at what he was talking about. I took it out of my pocket to show him. I held it up and waved it in the side of his vision.

He sighed. "I'm just checking."

Setting it back down in my lap, I glanced down and studied it. This would be interesting. My nerves were shaky, the paper already bent in all ways and the corners curled from the continuous need to pick at it. I forced myself to read it over again, trying to memorize it. I'm sure I would find my way fine even if I didn't memorize it. But I wouldn't be surprised if someone took my schedule half way through the day and tore it up in my face.

Period 1..... Algebra 2..... Mr. Cox

Period 2..... Chemistry..... Mrs. Dugan

Period 3..... World History..... Mr. Harris

Period 4..... British Literature..... Mr. Rush

Period 5..... Web Design.... Mrs. Williams

Period 6..... Physics..... Mrs. Geraldine

My algebra teacher's name made me smile every time I looked at it though. "Mr. Cox," I stated, looking over at Luke and laughing for what had to be the fifth time. "I'm going to say his name as often as I can in his class."

His lips tilted up slightly, his eyes staying ahead. I couldn't wait to meet Mr. Cox. However I wasn't looking forward to a few other things. "I still don't understand the two science classes." I muttered. "One is fucking enough as it is," I complained.

"Well, it was your worse subject before. It was recommended you take that as well."

I glared over at where he sat, looking innocent enough in his uniform, driving little me off to school. "Recommended," I repeated. "Not required. So I don't need to if I don't want to."

He rolled his eyes, keeping them on the road. "Out of everything, you should be worrying about what I'm worried about: your safety. It's going to be hell for you," he sighed.

I smiled slightly. "No, you should be more worried about my classes. I've put up with being harassed my whole life. Good grades are a whole different factor," I said, smirking slightly.

In a lighter voice, but one with an edge, he spoke as he stopped at a red light. "No, I'm not worried about you getting bad grades. Because you wont. And that's a fucking guarantee," he said, glancing over to me with a stern look, pursed lips. He gave me a small smile though. "You will get good grades."

"Jeez. Threatening me on my first day of school..." I said, shaking my head. He was more serious though about what he said. "Hard ass."

"I'm serious," he said, chuckling as I looked back ahead of him. "You will get good grades. I've been through a ton of shit to get you into a school. Not to mention, I'm trying to get you a decent future. Good grades are a must." The dim light of the early morning shinned through the windshield, lighting up his features at a specific angle. He looked tired, his elbow resting on the window and propping his head up as he waited for a green light. His eyes were sad but it was as if it was in a way where he was use to it or dealing with it. His eyes bright green in the light, they appeared much darker. He wasn't in a sour mood or anything. It's just how he looked. It didn't need to mean anything. Luke looked to me a moment later, face blank. "And you know how important it is for you to have a good future. You know I'm working on it so you need to do your part."

I groaned, not answering. In my past, I haven't really bothered much with trying in school. At first, I found great value in it when I was very young, the start of elementary school. Since my mother didn't teach me shit, I liked that my teachers seemed to care. Basic things like time, counting, addition and subtraction.... It made me feel good, like I actually was worth something even at that young age of five. However, down the line, I didn't put much of any effort into school. I mean, after a while of living through hell, I recognized it would always be hell for me. I wouldn't have a chance to be better, do something with my life. I was insane and didn't have a future no matter what. So why the hell bother? Not only was I not going to be given the chance, I honestly thought I was a waste of time. With nobody on my side, I still somewhat believe I'm trash with no future. So why bother? There was no reason to try.

But for the first time in my life, something sticks out. Luke is working to give me a chance at a future. I never had that before. He was going to find a way for me to work without my sanity brought up. He was working on somewhat removing my insane status, even though everyone will always know of me. He said he could do it and I know that he was trying at the station. And it's because I believe in him that I'm going to try. That's right, I'll actually try. It will be interesting to see what happens.

It wasn't long until the scene out my window shifted. We pulled into a parking lot and I got a look at the school. It seemed big enough, which wasn't that comforting. The other thing I noticed was that there weren't many cars here yet.

"Where the hell is everyone? Did they grow the balls you didn't have and go home?" I asked, smirking.

He chuckled, eyes meeting mine in a small second as he pulled into a parking space. But beyond what I said, I really was confused. First day of school and nobody here... hell, maybe I'll do just fine. No people, no problem.

Stopping, he turned the key and the car shut off, leaving us in silence. "Actually, we are just here much earlier. School starts in an hour."

You have got to be kidding. "You better have a good reason why we woke up so early and lost a precious hour sleeping." He wakes me up this early and makes me lose an hour of sleep.... I knew there had to be a good reason. Otherwise, he knew I would beat his ass.

"I do actually," he said, a little more cheerfully. He said no more as he took off his seat belt and opened his door to get out. Groaning, I got out as well, confused as to what we were doing here so early. Finding his eyes in the pink light of dawn, he started walking with me towards the school. "We are here to meet someone," he finally said as we reached the front doors of the school. Just being in the presence of a school... I didn't like it. Just because in general, anything associated with school wasn't anything that great for me.

"Oh joy," I murmured as we walked in. The last thing I wanted to do was meet someone. I'd be doing that all day here so why start out by making the day bad? However, I soon found out that wasn't the case.

I walked beside Luke down the hall. Looking up at him, his eyes forward and walk confident, I had a feeling he's been in this school many times before and knew his way around. It was a small school so hopefully it wont be too hard to figure out. The halls were empty and it was the nicest experience I had in school. Because nobody was here yet.

"Can you tell me what the fuck we are doing?" I asked as he turned down another long hall, me following next to him. Dragging my feet, I sighed. Were answers so hard to give?

He smirked down at me slightly, finally breaking that stone expression. The air between us was thicker. Maybe that's because this would be the first time in a few days Luke would be leaving me alone. After Mark attacked me that night, he's had to watch after me and keep guard. It was painful for us both. Me for the fact that I didn't want to feel anymore for him than what I do and it wasn't working. For him... well, I could just tell he wasn't that thrilled to be stuck with me all the time. You could just see it in his eyes. But now, that was changing. I was going to school and it wasn't like he could just follow me around all day. Not to mention, if he did that, he would probably get in trouble himself; he wouldn't take the shit the kids are going to give me today. He's sensitive about people harassing me and he knows that this will be a long day full of it. But there was nothing he could do about it. Or so I thought.

He finally stopped when we reached a specific door on the right side of the hall. It was actually one that had the lights on inside, I could see through the small window on the door. Luke gave me a wider smile as he just stood there in front of the door with me in the hall. I could tell something was up and it was important to him. Still though, did I know what? Hell no I did not.

A moment later, Luke stood straight and knocked on the large wooden door. He didn't wait for someone to get it; it was more of a warning we were coming in because the next second, he grabbed the handle and opened the door, going in and I followed after him.

Walking into the brightly lit room, there was a lot to take in. But as I quickly scanned the room, the first thing my eyes stopped on were the other two people in the classroom. A man that looked the same age as Luke looked to me when we entered. He was sitting behind the desk but had quickly stood when we came in. His dark blue button up shirt and tie along with his black slacks said enough. He was the teacher. I mean, who else would dress like that and this early? Not to mention, it was obvious with him sitting behind his desk and that he was actually here to begin with. He had brown messy hair, like Luke's. Except his was a little longer and more wavy. He had very deep brown eyes and dark eyebrows to frame them. Another thing I noticed was something that was hard not to notice, the fact that he only had one hand. Well, his other arm supported a prosthetic arm and hand, which I could see from where the sleeves of his shirt were cut off.

After I took him in, my eyes immediately shifted to the woman that was sitting on the edge of his desk. And at hearing our entrance, she turned around to look our way. She was sitting, faced towards where the man was sitting but now, she moved off the desk and stood up, facing us now next to the man. She was very beautiful, just like the man was. She looked a little younger than him, maybe early 20s, at least a couple years older than me. She was just a little taller than me, coming up to the man's shoulder in where she stood beside him. Supporting blue jeans and a red tee-shirt, she took me in just as the man was. Both of them smiled to me.

I knew who they were instantly. I recognized them from the pictures that were on Luke's wall. They both looked a little different, older maybe. Luke's words came back to me from what he said about them when I was looking at the pictures. He said that these two people were his best friends. They were also engaged apparently.

I felt someone touch me beside me and I realized Luke lightly placed his hand on my back as he started to walk towards them, guiding me closer to them. Once facing them both, Luke stopped and hugged them both. It was apparent he hadn't seen them in quite a long time. I mean, he had a pretty busy summer and so did they I guess with getting engaged. Not to mention, Luke told me they got a lot of attention from people.

"It's been so long since we've seen you," the woman said after Luke stepped back.

"I know. Too long for my liking," he said as he stood off to the side between where I was facing the two of them. Turning his head my way, Luke's smile grew; It was all grinning teeth from him the moment we walked in the classroom. He was really happy to see them. "Albany," he said as he looked back to them, gesturing with his hand, smirking. "This is the soon-to-be Mrs. Rush.' Luke gave her a happy glance when he addressed her like that; she blushed and smiled at that too. He was clearly excited for the two of them getting engaged. "And this is Casey Rush, your new English teacher as well. So in that case, you need to refer to him as 'Mr. Rush'. Also, he is the biggest dork you'll ever meet."