Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

With the other book, she opened it up to the page Daisy suggested had a better description of reproduction and glanced through it.

She was scanning through the words as someone put their hands over her eyes. She dropped the book, grabbed the hand, and slammed them up against the wall. Her fist raised, she looked into Simon’s smiling face.

“Simon, what the fuck?” She dropped her fist as someone threw a shush her way. She let him go, bending down to pick up her cell phone and book. The screen hadn’t cracked, but she was pissed.

“What? Dad told me he dropped you off at the library again. Why don’t you use the school library?”

“Besides the fact I don’t have a card there, they didn’t have what I needed. I want to do some extra studying this week.” She pulled the text messages on her cell phone to check the other titles.

“You could just enroll.”

“I can’t. I’ve got my old high school, Simon, you understand that. Devil and Lash worked hard for this.”

“I do, but I also know time is ticking. The longer you’re here, you’re going to have to enroll.”

She looked up from her cell phone and glared at him. “Stop meddling. I will deal with that when the time comes.” She rounded the bookshelf and Simon followed her. “Why are you here? Are you looking for a book?”

“Nope. I came to hang out with you but it seems your only focus is on work. I have to say I’m disappointed.”

“Don’t be like that. You know this is important to me. Normally, if I don’t get anything, Daisy and I have a sleepover. We enjoy pizza, study, and finish with a movie, but she always makes sure I understand it. Even makes me have a test to make sure I understand it. Don’t worry about it.” She missed home, that wasn’t a surprise.

Talking to her parents was hard. She listened to tales of her brother and other siblings, and it made her ache to be back in Fort Wills. She missed the salon and Lacey’s experiments with hair color and nails. Her sleepovers with Daisy. Even Anthony’s silent asshole ways. Even Miles, her twin, and his complete lack of respecting personal space. Michael, the irritating bastard, he could be with an attitude a mile long. All of it was hard, and now as she looked at Simon, the guilt hit her again, hard.

He loved her and she loved him so much. The thought of being without him was like a physical blow, but this wasn’t home.

“I worry about you, Tabby, always.”

“I know.” She went to him, putting a hand on his chest. “It will be fine. I know it will. Let me get this book and head on out.”

She didn’t give Simon a chance to argue with her. The first thing she’d done when she arrived at Piston County was get a library card. After scanning the books, she shoved them into her backpack and turned to Simon. He flicked the keys in his finger.

“Dad let me have the car. You want to go for a drive?” he asked.

“Yes.”

It wasn’t a bike, which was what she felt she needed, but it was better than nothing. She threw her bag into the backseat, jumped in the front, and rolled the windows down. There was some light rain, but she didn’t care.

Simon started the car and reeved the engine.

Driving out of the main town center, he went in the opposite direction. As soon as they were on the open road, he pressed his foot to the floor, and off they went.

Closing her eyes, she stuck her head out the window, feeling her hair in the wind. It was the next best thing. Sticking her hands out, she let out a whoop and heard Simon’s chuckle.

After minutes passed and she felt more like herself, she opened her eyes and watched the passing world. This was her life. When she thought about leaving The Skulls, she wanted to hit the road, travel, and just be free.

Simon came to a stop, pulling up in the middle of nowhere. No one was around.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“No one is around. Come on.” He turned the radio on and some heavy metal song came through. He turned it up then climbed out of the car.

She didn’t follow him, and he rounded to her side, opening it up. “Come on.”

“Simon?”

He took her hand, and she didn’t argue, unbuckling her belt as he got her out of the car.

“You need to stop thinking,” he said, tugging her close. Their hands rested at his chest. “I can see you’re struggling and I get it. This isn’t home and I wish there was something I could do to make this easier for you.”

“Simon, it’s not you.”

“I know. I haven’t been in Fort Wills for a long time without my parents. I don’t know what you’re going through.”