In Your Time
Chapter 12

I walked into school the next day with Braden walking beside me and a sleek new phone in my pocket. Elizabeth bought me the phone immediately and Braden showed me how to work it. At the moment, the only numbers I had in my phone were the numbers of the Parks.

The school atmosphere was different after Braden's proclamation. Eyes darted our way as we walked to my locker. It was a little unnerving. I sighed as I opened my locker and grabbed a book I needed as Braden leaned against the lockers beside me.

"Everyone is staring at us," I muttered to Braden. He smirked and took my book from me.

"They just want to know if it's true or not. Let's go," he motioned o the hallway. I nodded before I walked with Braden to my first class. He walked with me to all of my classes and waited for me at the entrance o the cafeteria during lunch. By the time we got to the table, the eyes hadn't stopped.

"Soo, are you guys like the official couple of Saint James now?" Josh asked awkwardly.

"I don't think we're the official couple or anything. Just another couple," Braden answered.

"But when did this happen. You two aren't even affectionate. You don't act like a real couple at all," Navaeh complained.

"It was arranged by my mom so I'm still getting to know Phoenix myself, but that doesn't change the fact that no one should mess with her. If they do, they'll have to answer to me," Braden explained. I ate my food quietly.

"So you actually like her?" Navaeh asked.

"Yes, which means that she's off limits," Braden answered automatically. I knew it was a lie to protect me, but still...

"So I guess that does make you the official couple of Saint James. But I think we'll need a kiss from the couple to make it official," Bryce joked.

"Fuck off, Bryce," Braden dismisses him.

"If you don't kiss her, I will," Bryce teased. Braden didn't give him time to act. He grabbed my cheeks between his hands and pecked my lips quickly.

"There, happy?" Braden said before turning back to his food. I cleared my throat as I stared intently at my food. I was hoping that no one noticed my red face. It took me by surprise. I didn't think he would actually kiss me.

"I'm happy," Bryce chuckled.

"I'm not," Nevaeh gave her two cents. I spent the rest of lunch trying not to draw attention to myself before it was time to go to gym. I walked through then hallway with Braden as he tried to avoid looking at me. "Oh right, how are your bruises healing up?" He asked to fill the awkward air.

"Slowly. They were pretty bad," I answered. A silence fell over us again as the conversation attempt failed.

"You didn't have to do that... in the cafeteria. I think he was just messing with you," I finally said. Braden sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets. The situation made us both feel awkward. It was obvious that he did it on impulse, without thinking.