Footprints In The Sand - Michelle Horst Page 0,27

again, away from the town, the people and away from my home. I ban all thoughts of my parents and Seth.

Darkness is setting in fast. For a moment everything around me is illuminated as a car drives by. I hear it slow down behind me and my heart starts to thump hard as fear floods me. When I hear the tires crunch over the gravel, and the light of the car falls over me again, I start to run.

Please! Please let them not stop! Oh God! I can’t take much more. Please let the car pass by!

~*~

Chapter Twenty-Four

Seth~

Instead of going home, I walk towards the beach. I replay the feel of Lacey’s lips on mine. It felt so right kissing her. I’ve wanted to do it for a long time and now that I finally have, I want to do it again and again.

I’m lost in a day dream of Lacey when someone suddenly takes hold of my arm. My whole body stiffens and when I see that it’s Paige, my shoulders slump. I’m not in the mood for her right now. I still haven’t forgiven her for helping Hayden bully Lacey.

Paige giggles and comes to stand way too close for comfort. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” she says, and as I’m about to take a step back from her she takes hold of my arm again. Another stupid giggle escapes her lips. “I just wanted to say how sorry I am about everything. The thing with your dad and Lacey,” she takes a deep breath, “and Hayden. He’s really being a douche.”

“Yeah, he is,” I say, wondering where she’s going with this. Paige catches me off guard when she suddenly kisses me on the cheek. “I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am,” she whispers.

There was a time I liked her but now that I’ve found Lacey I don’t want anyone else.

“I better get going,” Paige says, looking a tiny bit uncomfortable that I’m not reacting to her. She leans in and hugs me. I give her a lame pat on the back, and I quickly realize it was a mistake when she tries to go for my mouth.

I pull back and shake her hands off me. “No, Paige. I’m with Lacey.” Only when the words leave my lips do I realize how much I care for Lacey. I need to talk to her and make her understand how good we’ll be together. There is no one else I want.

~*~

On my way home I stop by Lacey’s, but no one’s home. I’m a bit bummed. I really wanted to talk to her before school tomorrow. I’ll wait for her to walk by my house and then talk to her on the way to school.

I get home late and I’m surprised to see that Aunt Janice isn’t home yet. I grab some leftovers and make sandwiches. Aunt Janice will be hungry when she gets home.

I do some homework, but my mind keeps on going to Lacey. I hope she’ll give us a chance. I really believe we can be good together. I fall back on my bed and think of all the different ways I can ask her to go steady. She’s the last thing I think of as I drift off to sleep.

When I wake up I’m surprised to see a note from Aunt Janice. She’s never worked so late before, or left so early. She left some money with the note, saying to get some milk and bread. I get ready for school, my thoughts returning to Lacey. I grab a mug of coffee and I stand on the porch and drink it, not wanting to miss Lacey.

When I’m finished with the coffee and there’s still no sign of Lacey, I take the trash out. I can’t wait any longer. I’ll be late for school. I feel down as I lock up and head to school. I was hoping so badly to talk with her.

School is a whole ‘nother story. Hayden glares at me and I know it’s only a matter of time before he comes, looking for a fight.

There’s no note on my locker and I get the books for History. Lacey has History with me, so I’ll see her there. I can’t help but glance at Lacey’s locker as I’m about to walk by, and that’s when I see the piece of paper stuck to it.

I push by the few kids standing around and grab the note from her locker.

I run to