Chapter Four: The first day
1320 Words
“Hide, now.” Cole commanded but I stood unmoved.
“Why?”
“Because we can't be caught fighting by this time of the night, Maren. That's why.”
I wanted to protest but it actually did make sense and the footsteps were growing closer so I sprinted to his side of the island and ducked under the slab.
His father came in seconds later, said Hi to Cole, grabbed a bottle of water and went away without even noticing the tension in the room. That was good for me.
I waited till I heard his door jam and then I stood up and without a word to Cole, returned to my room.
………..
It was Monday morning and I stood in front of Crestwood Academy with a plan to avoid Cole Harrington at all costs.
I parked Mom's old Honda three rows away from where Cole's Range Rover gleamed in the early morning sun. People clustered around it and it wasn't a new thing. Cole Harrington arriving for senior year was an event.
I grabbed my bag and headed for the building, keeping my head down.
"Maren!"
Jordyn appeared at my elbow full of energy despite the hour. "Oh my god, you survived summer. Tell me everything. Did you… wait, why do you look like someone died?"
"I'm just tired."
"Liar. But okay, we'll circle back. Listen, did you hear? Cole and Sloane broke up again."
My stomach flipped. "When?"
"Like three weeks ago. There was a huge blowout at some party and she's been posting cryptic lyrics ever since." Jordyn rolled her eyes. "Honestly, they're exhausting. Just break up for real already."
Three weeks ago? Right when he found out about the engagement.
Was it a coincidence? Is that why he had been so difficult to have a sensible conversation with?
I spotted him across the quad, surrounded by his usual crowd of football players, cheerleaders and people who existed in a different atmosphere. He was laughing at something Jackson said and looking completely at ease.
Our eyes met for a fraction of a second and he swiftly turned away, avoiding my gaze.
First period was AP Lit with Ms. Peterson and as I slid into my usual seat near the window, I noticed Cole again.
Has he always been everywhere I am and I am just noticing irregularities? Is he intentionally putting himself in the spaces I am to upset me.
He was three chairs down with his notebook already open, pen tapping his thigh.
That nervous tell.
"Welcome to senior year!" Peterson clapped her hands. "Let's start with introductions. Name, favorite book, and college plans."
We went around the circle and when it got to him, he sat up straighter.
"Cole Harrington. Friday Night Lights. Playing D1 football, hopefully Alabama."
A chorus of hands filled the air. Peterson beamed and it took everything in me to resist the urge to roll my eyes.
"And Maren?"
"Maren Ashford. The Handmaid's Tale. Journalism."
"Wonderful. Such important work."
The class moved on. We got our syllabi, heavy on dead white men and light on anything written this century.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number: “Journalism huh? That's such a poor choice.”
I glanced at Cole and he was staring straight ahead.
Me: “It's a great choice but how would you know?”
Cole: “It's only great if you have family money. You were born broke.”
Me: “Asshole. Nigga stop texting me before someone sees.”
I put my phone away and tried to focus on Peterson's lecture about the American canon, but I could feel Cole's presence like a physical thing.
This was going to be a long year.
Third period was Calculus and I walked in to find Sloane Chen already seated, saving the desk next to her.
"Maren, right?" She smiled, shark-like. "Sit here. I want to get to know you."
Every alarm bell in my head went off. Sloane and I were like two parallel lines that never met so what did she want? But refusing would look weird so I sat.
"So," Sloane said, pulling out her perfectly organized notes. "I feel like I never see you around, what do you do for fun?"
"Read, mostly."
"Cute. Very bookish." She examined her nails. "I heard your mom got married over the summer."
My blood went cold.
"Yeah."
"To who? Anyone we know?"
"I doubt it."
"Try me. I know everyone in this town."
"Just some guy, not interesting."
Sloane's smile sharpened. "Mysterious. I love it. What's his name?"
The teacher started talking, saving me from answering but I felt Sloane watching me for the rest of class.
At lunch, I found Jordyn at our usual table with the debate team and the chaos in my chest calmed down a little. Finally, someone who wasn't going to kill me with uncomfortable questions.
"Okay, seriously, what's wrong?" Jordyn demanded. "You've been weird all day."
"I am just adjusting. New house, new family situation."
"Right, your mom got married. Is he nice?"
"He's fine."
"And does he have a hot son?" Jordyn waggled her eyebrows. "Please tell me he has a hot son."
Across the cafeteria, Cole sat with the football team, Sloane perched on the edge of the table even though they were supposedly broken up. Even from where I was sitting, Cole looked absolutely ravishing I felt like puking.
"No hot sons," I lied. "Just… it's complicated."
"Everything's complicated with you." Jordyn sighed. "But fine, keep your secrets. Just promise you'll tell me when you're ready?"
"Promise."
I gave her a weak smile. This was one of the many reasons I loved Jordyn, she respected boundaries and let you take your time.
That afternoon, between fifth and sixth period, I was at my locker when someone slammed into me from behind and my chemistry book went flying.
"Watch it."
I turned and Sloane stood there with two cheerleader clones, all carrying identical smirks.
"Sorry," I said automatically, bending to pick up my stuff.
"Maren Ashford." Sloane said my name like she was testing it. "You know, I've been thinking about you all day."
"Me?."
"Is there any other Maren Ashford here? I find you so interesting.” She said walking round me in circles and stopped right in front of me. “Actually, someone told me they saw you getting dropped off at the mall in a very nice car two days ago.”
My hands stilled on my textbook.
"And Tall Oaks?" Sloane continued. "That's like… billionaire territory and you were seen there. So I'm just curious, who exactly did your mom marry?"
Down the hall, I saw Cole stop mid-conversation, his whole body going rigid.
"None of your business," I said, shoving books into my bag.
"See, that's what makes me think it IS my business. Because you're being so secretive about it." Sloane leaned closer. "Unless you're embarrassed? Or hiding something?"
The hallway was filling up with people, all of them pretending not to listen while absolutely listening.
"Leave her alone, Sloane."
We both turned and Cole stood there, looking… upset?
"I'm just being friendly," Sloane said innocently.
"No, you're fishing for gossip and it's pathetic."
Sloane's expression went nuclear. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. All you know how to do is gossip and you can go ahead with that but what I will not do is stand aside and what you drag anyone I… I—" He stopped himself before he was too late.
"Just back off, okay."
The hallway went silent and Sloane looked suspiciously between us and I prayed desperately in my mind that she doesn't pick up on anything.
"Anyone you what, Cole?"
"Anyone," he repeated flatly. "Period. Stop being a bully and gossip. "
He turned swiftly and walked away, and the whispers started immediately. Sloane turned to me, eyes glittering with something dangerous.
"Interesting," she said softly. "Very, very interesting."
- Writer
