Delsin walked me into my first class. “Thanks” I said taking my normal seat in the back row. “No problem” He mumbled happily, “See you at lunch” he ran out the door to his class. “Ah, Miss. Barton. Nice to see that you’ve joined us.” Mr.Swarofsky said. I just nodded and sank into the back of my chair. “Ya, so yesterday I heard that you and Delsin were doing “it” last night” Kory whispered in her usually perky voice. “Ew, no way!”  I almost yelled. “Who told you this?”

“Jessica from Biology”

“Did she start this rumor?”

“I don’t know! Doubt it, Jess only likes to spread rumors.” She turned back to her work. “Well, you guys, I heard that you and Delsin were running away to get married” Kelsee said leaning over to us. “What! No way! That’s awesome Sora! But aren’t you a tad young?” Kory had to make matters worse. “I am not getting married to Delsin anytime soon! You guys, where are these rumors coming from?” I stammered. “I heard it from Joe in History” Kelsee said sitting back up. “Oh my gosh, can’t they find anyone else to harass!” I whispered leaning back in my seat.

            When lunch finally rolled around I had a list compiled of all the absurd rumors I had heard about me and Delsin.

Rumors about me and Delsin

We’ve done “it”

We are secretly getting married in Las Vegas

He has kidnapped me

We are secretly dating

He put my father in jail

He’s my guardian

He’s my brother

These all were completely outrageous! Except for four, that was true. I wheeled myself to our usual table. People looked over at me and snickered as the left the table. Delsin came and sat down next to me. “Hey you look stressed” He said as he pulled his lunch out of his back pack. “Ya well you would be too” I said pushing my list towards him. “Oh, wow. Seriously people are saying this about us!” He exclaimed tossing the list in the garbage. “I am beginning to wonder if this is even a good idea anymore.” I said backing to leave. He was too quick to grab my wrist and pull me back to the bench. “No! You can’t leave me! I need you here! Mia, please.” He begged.

“But people are talking about us”

“So! Who cares?”

“I care!” I shot back at him. He released my wrist and watched me wheel away. I looked over my shoulder and winked. I hope he had gotten the fact that I had pretended to break up with him so people would shut up. I wheeled up next to Kelsee. “What was that about?” She asked with her mouth full of sandwich. “Oh nothing” I said turning my head to hide my smile. “Did you really just break up with Delsin?” Kory asked turning to me. “Ya, what’s it to ya?”

“Well, I was wondering if I could have him.”

“Umm, no. he’s still my territory” I stated. She glared at the floor. I pulled out my cell phone and held it under the table. Meet me in the library in 5 mins I typed and sent it to Delsin. I looked over making sure he got it. He looked up and nodded. “Oh, crap! I just remembered I had, uh, homework. I’m going to go work. See you guys later” I said backing up and wheeling to the library.

            I slowed my pace as I entered the empty library. I wheeled down a ramp into the pit in the farthest back corner. “There you are” Delsin said spinning me around. “Hey, Ya, I faked that so people would stop talking about us.” I smirked. “Very smart” He said wrapping his arms around my waist pulling me up. I pulled my arms up around his chest and leaned my head against his chest. “Are you sure you are ok with this” He asked. “What do you mean, of course I am”

“I mean you still haven’t said those 3 words yet” He reminded me I pulled away from him. “I will eventually ok!” I said softly turning my back to him and limping towards the window. “When” He prodded. I spun around to meet his glance. “When I feel like you deserve it”

“How can I accomplish that?”

“If you do something astonishing for me, which is not saving my life you will get it” I said sternly. He wrapped his arms around me from behind. “I will be waiting for the opportunity.” He said kissing my head. We stood there looking out the window for a while. He sat me in my chair “We should go up now. People will be wondering.” He said. “You go up, I’ll go up in a while” He said pushing me towards the door. “But I don’t want to leave you.” I complained

“Sora, please don’t. You have to get to class”

“Why! I want to stay here with you”

“Sora”

“Your not my moth-” I almost said mother. That is a word I have not said in ages. I had almost gotten over it but in that little phrase the rush of emotions raced back, the tears challenging my will power. “Sora, please. It’s ok. My mother is your mother.” He wrapped me in his arms. “Don’t let go” I whispered through the tears. I didn’t really have anyone but him.

            My cell phone started to vibrate. I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at the number. It was a number I didn’t recognize. I put it away and looked up at Delsin. He wiped away the tears that had stained my cheeks. “It’s going to be ok” he whispered. “I don’t want to pretend. I need you by my side” I whispered back. “Alright. I’ll be there” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and led me up to our next class. My phone started to go off again. I took it out and looked at the number. Same as before. I decided to answer it. “Hello” I answered. “S-ra,-It-y-r-d-d” The other line clicked in and out of service. “Hello? who is this” I continued. “Sor-sora. Can you hear me now?” the other voice said. “Who is this? Yes”

“Sora, it’s me. Your father.”

“Dad! What are you calling me for! I’m in school. Can I talk to you later?”

“No, I need you to come and talk to me down at the police station. I have some, news for you” He sighed and hung up. “Dad, Dad!” I yelled at the dead line. I hung up. “Can you get me to the police station quickly?” I asked Delsin. “Ya, lets go”