Broken Promises

Chapter 6

“Honestly, I’d say you get used to miss Grey’s mood swings but you don’t”, Luke said as we walked out of the last class before lunch. This lady had really gone from being friendly and helpful to yelling to a student who dropped a pencil…

“Any other of those I need to worry about?” I asked him and he gave me a reassuring smile before shaking his head “Nope, it’s not gonna get worse than her”

Good, I don’t know how many crazy teachers I could handle, these lessons were already stressful enough on their own.

“So, what would you like to eat?” he asked me as we entered the cafeteria and went over to one of the tables at the side of the room. He had proposed to sit here yesterday as well, saying it would be the calmest here and he had been right.

I sat down and turned to him, ready to tell him I wasn’t really hungry but as if he read my mind he quickly spoke up “Two bacon sandwiches it is”

“Thanks”, I quickly mumbled and he threw me a quick smile before he disappeared to the other side of the cafeteria to get our food.  I was really grateful that he helped me through this all but I couldn’t help but feel guilty about it as well. You can’t tell me he wouldn’t prefer sitting with his friends…

My eyes slowly started wondering around the cafeteria, studying all the different groups off people. There were some tables that seemed really nice, others that didn’t even speak to each other as they were too busy on their phone, groups that already intimidated me just by looking at them and then you had-

Damnit

I quickly diverted my gaze down as I met with some familiar blue eyes. I silently prayed he wouldn’t have noticed but I knew he did, he had already been looking at me. I noticed him getting up in the corner of my eyes and I silently cursed myself. Why me? Why can’t he just annoy literally every other girl in this school? Half of this room, probably even more, would go with him willingly, then why on earth would he go through the trouble with me?

I felt the table softly move and I didn’t need to look up to know he had sat down in front of me, I could just sense the heavy feeling of his eyes on me.

Just keep quiet and don’t look at him, he’ll probably go away. I wasn’t in the mood for this anyway. I knew officers were gonna come over to the house later and I had been nervous for it from the moment they told me about it. Since I now was out of the hospital, they wanted me to put out a new statement since ‘I was better now’ but I still don’t have any memories of that night. Believe me, I wanted nothing more than this case to be solved but I just couldn’t help it.

A chuckle pulled me out of my thoughts and I nervously played with my fingers as I heard him speak in an amused tone “You’re a quiet type huh”

I slightly lifted my head, keeping my gaze anywhere but him as I answered without thinking “I’m not”

Or at least I didn’t used to be, I don’t know. All I know is that I feel a lot less comfortable around other people than I used to.

“Sure you’re not”, he spoke softly but to me it sounded more mocking.

“Why do you care anyway?” I asked and I could just feel the smirk that came to his face “I have my motives”

I don’t even want to know what those motives are. I stayed quiet but he again didn’t seem to mind me ignoring him as he just continued to stare at me and I could feel my cheeks burn up, I didn’t even want to imagine what they’d look like.

“So I wanted to ask if you w-“

“Not gonna happen Jake”, I slightly relaxed as I saw Luke approaching us, completely interrupting Jake.

“Always nice to see you Luke”, Jake stood up with a sigh, smiling but Luke’ face looked far from friendly.

“Wish I could say the same”, Jake’s expression didn’t waver at Luke’s response, it only slightly softening as his baby blue eyes came back to my direction “I’ll see you later Catherine”

Luke huffed but I was frozen as Jake’s eyes continued to stare me down for a little longer, only this time I couldn’t pull myself to look away. It was like his eyes were not allowing me to.

When he finally turned around to walk away, I felt myself release a breath I hadn’t even noticed I held in.

“Asshole”, I heard Luke mutter before he quickly dropped the glare from his face as he sat down.

“Your sandwich”, he handed me the food and I placed it down in front of me “Thanks”

I slowly started unwrapping the sandwich when I heard him clear his throat. Looking up, I noticed how he seemed a little nervous before he spoke “Hey Catherine, I was wondering and you can say no if you don’t want to but I just thought it would be good for you, but only if you were okay with it of course and I ju-“

“Luke, just ask”, I interrupted him and he sighed as he looked at me

“Ever since I told my girlfriend about you, she’s been nonstop bugging me to meet you”, he finally let out “But like I said, only if you’re ready for that”

I sighed and stayed quiet for a moment. He’s right, maybe this would be good for me. I can’t stay in this comfort bubble forever…

“I’d love to meet her”, I spoke and for a moment, he seemed surprised “Are you sure?”

I softly nodded my head, the corners of my mouth turning slightly up as I saw his happy expression. I just hope this wasn’t a mistake…

He turned to another side of the cafeteria and waved for someone to come over, a pretty brunette getting up from a table as he did. Calm down Catherine, making friends is a good thing.

She stepped closer to the table and just looking at her already made me feel insecure, she was absolutely stunning…

“Hi there”, her vibrant brown eyes came to me as she brightly smiled before sitting down next to Luke.

“Catherine, this is Avery”, he introduced her and surprised me as she leaned her arms over the table, taking my hands in hers “I hope we can be great friends in the future”

“I would like that”, I had answered and for the rest of the day, there surprisingly wasn’t one moment where she made me feel uncomfortable. Quite the opposite actually, there had been multiple moments where she had made me feel more like my old self and even though it sort off freaked me out, I was really happy Luke got me to talk to her. After school, Luke was even nice enough to drop me off home but the moment we drove up to the driveway, my hard façade came back as quick as it had gone. They’re already here…

“Everything alright?” Luke asked as he noticed my expression and I quickly covered it back up “Yeah, thanks for the ride Luke”

“No problem”, he smiled at me and I noticed uncle Benjamin stepping out of the door, probably waiting for me. They’re all probably waiting for me…

I slowly stepped out of the car and waved off Luke as his car back out of the driveway before turning back to the house “Hey uncle Benjamin”

“Hey kiddo, are you ready?” he asked and I could see the worry in his eyes he was trying to hide behind his smile. Not trusting my voice, I just nodded my head and followed him into the living room to see two officers and my therapist from the hospital sitting there.

They noticed me upon entering, one of the officers getting up as he motioned for the empty chair at the table. Breath, just calms breaths.

I hesitantly walked to the chair, my eyes glued to my lap as I sat down.

“Miss Jones”, I softly nodded as the second officer spoke “Let’s go over it again”