6

Hudson

I TOOK MY TIME GETTING INTO DETENTION. It's not like I would be missing much. I entered the room and spotted a few familiar juvenile delinquents . Including my closest friend, Eli. I nodded in his direction before glancing around the room to spot the outlier. With a smirk, I sat next to her, handing her the rose I plucked from the garden on the way over. I offered her my most charming grin as I placed the flower in her line of sight.

"What is that?"

"A rose."

"I can see that. Why is it in my face?"

"It's for you," I said. "To apologize."

She opened her mouth, but an all too familiar voice spoke up.

"Hey, Hudson."

I closed my eyes and braced myself. My attempts of avoidance had all been in vain.

"Hey, Stacy."

I glanced at her before turning my attention to the desk. The rose was still in front of Luna's face.Luna, enjoying my discomfort, smirked and stood up.

"Stacy, why don't you have my seat?" She suggested.

She grabbed her backpack, hit the rose out of my hand onto my table, and stalked off. I clenched my jaw as she sent a condescending wink across the room.

"That's a pretty rose." Stacy said.

"You can have it."

I pushed out my chair and sat beside Eli, folding my arms across my chest.

"Your first rejection." He said with a self-satisfied smile.

"Whatever."

I glanced out the frost-kissed window, watching as the wind caressed the leaves of the maple tree. They fluttered back and forth. Some broke off and soared through the sky before landing a few feet away, joining the carpet of fall leaves. It might be ridiculous to be envious of dying leaves, but they got to escape the clutches, while I'm forced to be confined in this stuffy room with a group of people who are nothing more than my weekly detention buddies. Except for Eli.

Mr. Landry walked in with a steaming cup of coffee and a sandwich. The conversations ceased and everyone occupied themselves with something, but I was not in the mood for anything right now. I slouched in my seat and tilted my head back. I closed my eyes, hoping for some rest, but it was short-lived.

"Mr. Wilder, why do you insist on sleeping in every detention?" Mr. Landry's voice pierced the silence.

"There isn't much else to do," I said. "It's expected when we're made to sit here for an hour. It's not like I can bake a cake."

The few people in the room snickered but stopped as Mr. Landry delivered a menacing glare. They returned to what they were doing, and Mr. Landry returned to marking his papers. With a smug grin, I made myself comfortable and closed my eyes, wishing the hours away.

?

The chilled afternoon air echoed with the rhythmic thuds of the basketball as I dribbled it back and forth on the concrete driveway. Eli stood nearby, ready to defend as we engaged in a friendly game of one-on-one. We exchanged banter and jokes between shots.

While taking a break, I became captivated by the house across the street. Luna arrived home. Her laughter rang out as she walked hand-in-hand with him. I clenched my jaw as I watched their exchange. Eli followed my gaze with a knowing smirk.

"Ah, if it isn't the object of your affection."

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I tore my gaze away from them.

"Shut up." I said with a smile, tossing the ball in his direction.

He caught it with ease and chuckled at my discomfort.

"We've been at this for years." He said. "Just tell her how you feel."

I sighed; my shoulders slumped with defeat.

"That's terrible advice from the guy who's dated the same girl since kindergarten."

He chuckled and raised his hands in surrender before retrieving the ball.

"Guilty." He said. "But at least I never have to deal with this mess."

I watched as Jockstrap pulled her into a playful embrace. A pang of longing tugged at my heart.Eli noticed my distraction and couldn't resist poking further fun at me.

"Get your head in the game." He said. "Unless you want me to beat you again."

I scoffed at his inability to trash talk before running over to steal the ball from him. However, no matter how hard I tried, their romantic exchange was still lingering in the back of my mind.

?