My First Apology

I've sat in the back of the cafeteria for lunch my entire high school life, all alone. I didn't really mind it. I was used to it by now.

So when the chair next to me scraped across the floor and a body filled it, I dropped my sandwich on the table and gawked. Warm brown eyes smiled at me as dimples surfaced on his cheeks.

"Uriah? Don't you sit over there?" I asked, gesturing at the popular table.

Ever since Elijah and Uriah moved in to town, they were immediately accepted into the popular crew. Yesterday, they both sat at the table for the popular juniors and seniors, but today only Elijah was sitting there. Bianca had her hand on his arm and looked adoringly up at him. He caught a glimpse of me looking at him and he smiled passionately down at her, then leaned forward. Their entire table held their breath as they were about to kiss. I ripped my eyes away and focused on Uriah who shrugged.

"I don't like those kind of people who think they're all that. It's kind of obnoxious, actually. And you look really cute today." He winked.

Yeah, this boy was meant to be mine. I blushed, running my hand through my hair. He noticed that I had actually made an effort today.

"But, your brother..."

"You know how he is. He's enjoying the spotlight now. I couldn't handle it."

I picked up my fallen sandwich and took a bite. Uriah grabbed a plastic fork, twirling it in his fingers. He gave a concerned look at the food on his tray. "Is this safe to eat?"

I snorted. Attractive, I know. "Hardly."

He laughed and hesitantly put a piece of pork in his mouth. Which school served pork for lunch? Hell's High did. Uriah chewed for a while until he swallowed it. He stuck his tongue out, shaking his head. I laughed at his expression and offered him a bag of chips which he gratefully accepted.

"So about tonight..." He trailed off.

Oh right! He was coming over for dinner. I'd have to rush home after detention.

"Oh, you guys can come over at around six. My mom is making her famous lasagna. You'll love it.

"Sounds good. Lasagna is Elijah's favorite meal."

Ugh, I forgot Elijah would be coming. By the look on my face, Uriah guessed what I would be thinking.

"Don't worry, I'll have a talk to him before so he doesn't do anything..."

"Stupid? Mean?" I supplied, "Want me to go on?"

Uriah laughed again. Damn. I was funny.

"I know what you mean. I honestly don't know why he treats you differently.

"Differently? He treats me like I'm a piece of garbage that he wants to rip apart and then throw out. He's infuriating.

Uriah sighed, flattening the now empty bag of chips. "I think he-

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. I scooped up my half eaten lunch and dumped it in the garbage as Uriah did the same.

"What's your next class?"

I walked beside him as we exited the cafeteria with everyone else. I felt a little claustrophobic with all the bodies merging all around me, especially since I was so short.

"History, blech," I said. He wrinkled his nose. Ugh, he was so cute. Why did he like me? I was a nobody.

We exited the cafe and went our separate ways. I took my time getting to history, not caring if I was late. My teacher knew I hated the subject. He couldn't get me to pay attention even if he paid me. The class was mostly sophomores because I had failed it last year and was forced to retake it so I could graduate.

I took one step into the class seconds before the bell rang and froze. Staring at me from the back row was Elijah. What the hell? He wasn't in this class yesterday. And that was my seat. I strode over to him as he glared at me the entire time.

"Move," I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest. He raised an eyebrow. I uncrossed my arms when he didn't make a move to get up.

"Fine." I placed both hands on his desk and hopped up so I was sitting on it with my back to him. I faced the front of the classroom as a bunch of sophomores stared at me. I shot each of them a dirty look, making them turn away. I smirked triumphantly.

"Nice flower undies," Elijah murmured in my ear.

I gasped, yanking the back of my sweater down so it covered my pants. Shit, it had ridden up when I jumped on the desk and I hadn't noticed.

And the school's bad boy had just seen my underwear. I kept my back to him so he couldn't see the redness staining my cheeks. I didn't dare get off the desk and grant him victory. I would stay here as long as it took, no matter what.

Large, warm hands grasped my waist on either side. The next thing I knew, I was effortlessly lifted off the desk and plopped right in a jean clad lap. I squirmed in the strong grasp, but couldn't move. A sturdy chest pressed against my back and I flattened my hands on the desk in front of me.

"How is it that we always end up like this?" Elijah's deep voice mumbled. His lips tickled my ear, making me stiffen. I could feel the heat of his hands right through my sweater from where he still didn't move them from around my waist. I couldn't concentrate with him this close to me.

"Let me go," I somehow forced out.

"Not until you apologize."

"Apologize for what!" I said incredulously.

"Pushing me." His nose nuzzled my neck and I knew I was fighting a losing battle. A sigh escaped from between my lips before I could help it. I felt Elijah smirk against me.

"No." I struggled even more in his lap. He tightened his grip on me.

"Do it, Veronica."

That was the first time he called me by my name. I was surprised to realize that I liked the way my name sounded from his lips.

My history teacher walked in and I hurriedly mumbled an, "I'm sorry," that was hardly audible. Elijah released me and I dashed to the only open seat in the front of the class right as the teacher sat down at his desk to take attendance.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I couldn't respond when my name was called for attendance so I settled for raising my hand. I was so angry that Elijah had gotten the best of me again. Somehow, he beat me at my own game.

That was the first time, and certainly the last time, that I would apologize to Elijah.

Detention had sucked. I sat in a classroom with two other students and a teacher for two hours. We weren't allowed to use our phones or do anything besides homework. And I never did my homework. I ended up getting all of it done, though, and then I went home.

"Why are you so late?" My mother asked from the living room. I groaned.

Dropping my backpack on the couch, I sat down on the floor next to my mom where she was doing yoga. She stopped doing her weird stretch for a second to sit on her mat and faced me. I looked everywhere but at her.

"Veronica..."

"I, uh, you know..." I stalled.

"No, I don't know."

"Igotadetention," I mumbled really fast, hoping she wouldn't understand.

"You WHAT!"

Yeah, she understood me perfectly.

"It wasn't my fault! Elijah invaded my personal space so I pushed him away and he fell right as the teacher came in."

"Why was he so close to you?"

I groaned again, dropping my head in my hands.

"Bianca and Christi were making fun of me so I was about to, uh, do something to Bianca and he stopped me," I said as I felt my face turn red in embarrassment.

"So he was trying to help you and you pushed him? He's obviously a nice kid. And he's cute," my mom said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Mom! He's not nice. In fact, he's evil." I chose to ignore the fact that she called him cute.

My mom waved a hand in the air. "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, they're coming over tonight for dinner right?"

She completely dropped the issue that I got a detention. I wasn't about to remind her and possibly have her ground me, so I nodded.

"You better go get ready." My mom winked and then continued with her yoga, dismissing me to get ready.

I ran up to my room and stood in front of my mirror. I decided to keep on the same clothes even though Bianca and Christi didn't like them. Uriah had said I looked cute, so I wanted to keep on the same outfit for him.

I reapplied my makeup and fixed my curls. I got downstairs just as the doorbell rang. I slowly walked over to the door so I wouldn't seem overly eager if I opened it right away.

I looked through the peephole to see a man with two boys behind him. I opened the door and greeted them.

"Hi." I smiled.

The man reached his hand out and I held out my hand. He grasped it firmly and nodded once. He had luscious dark hair and green eyes, like one of the boys behind him. All of them were dressed nicely with dress shirts and black pants.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Zachariah Reed.

So this man was Uriah and Elijah's father. Even all their names sounded similar. Elijah looked so much more like his father than Uriah did. I wondered where their mom was and if Uriah took after her with his lighter hair color and brown eyes.

"I'm Veronica Fray. Welcome to our house," I said, holding the door open for them. Mr. Reed lead his two sons inside. As Uriah walked past me, he grinned. I smiled back. My smile immediately fled as Elijah followed with a glare. He dipped his head down so it was level with mine and said, "Try not to jump in my lap during dinner.

I gaped at him and he snickered, straightening back up and followed his family into the living room where my parents were already seated. I shut the front door behind me already regretting inviting the entire Reed family. Actually, I only regretted inviting a certain one of them.

This was going to be a long night.

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