The Promise, Mahlatse Mokone [best color ereader TXT] 📗

around the corner when JT stopped in front of us; well he had perfect timing. “Katelyn can I talk to you?” he asked me and smiled at Tess “Hello.” He said, “Hey.” Tess replied with far less enthusiasm then turned to me “I’ll see you in class.” She added to me and walked away. JT stared after her for a second

“What’s wrong with her?” He asked and I shook my head.

“Nothing’s wrong with her, what do you want JT?” I asked with a far sharper tone than I would’ve liked. JT started for a second, he looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it.

“We have a family meeting, so don’t make any plans for this afternoon.” He said then walked away. “Great.” I wailed when I remembered that I left a book of mine in my locker, I would’ve remembered it if it weren’t for Adrianna’s tirade.

I opened it and a couple of my things fell to the ground, I groaned realizing that my slamming it earlier was the cause. I crouched down to pick them up and strong looking hands were already helping me. Surprised, I looked up into amused grey eyes and I felt my heart jumpstart.

Get a grip! I thought, chastising myself for reacting the way I did around him. He practically gathered all my things and stood up, so I did too, still staring into his eyes. I hoped to God I wasn’t gaping at him when he smiled, handing them back to me. I snapped out of it and took them murmuring a thank you. I was careful not to touch him, but his warm skin came into contact with mine. The feeling I got in art class yesterday pulsed through me again and a quiet gasp slipped from my lips. “Hi, I’m Brandon.” He said pleasantly and I tried to ignore what his smooth deep voice did to me. “We have art class together.” He added and I forced a smile onto my lips too.

“Yeah I remember. I’m Katelyn.” I said glad my voice was steady.

“I know.” He said and I looked at him dumbfounded, he did? “You do?” I blurted out and he smiled. “I think everyone does.” He said slowly and I nodded feeling a little stupid. Of course everyone knew me.

“Mr. Carter, Ms. Gilbert. Class. Now.” I heard the principal’s voice behind me and I looked back to see him a couple of feet away, glaring impatiently at us. That’s when I noticed the empty hallway; I cursed inwardly putting my things back and grabbing my book.

“Of course Mr. Hammond, sorry.” Brandon called back to him then smiled down at me “See you later.” He added before going passed me. I exhaled in a rush and closed my locker. I practically ran to science class, I found the teacher ready to start the lesson.

“Sorry I’m late sir.” I muttered, chagrinned; I was never late before.

“Don’t let it happen again Ms. Gilbert, take your seat.” He said and I went over to my table and sat next to Tess. “Where the hell were you?” she whispered and I sighed “Lost in the Brandon vortex.” I muttered quietly and she gasped.

“Oh my god, I want details at lunch.” She said and the lesson began.

 

I was more excited than usual to go to art class, and I knew for certain that a gorgeous looking guy with beautiful grey eyes had something to do with that. See you later Brandon’s words echoed in my mind and I shook my head sadly.

I couldn’t nurse the infatuation I was slowly having for this guy; it would just end badly.

Like Tess promised, she grilled me at lunch. She interrogated me like I had a hot make out session with him, but nothing happened, he was just being nice by helping me; end of story.

I walked into the class and he was already seated, doodling something on a scribbler. He looked up and smiled when I walked to my desk, I didn’t want to be rude so I smiled back before I took my seat.

Mr. Anderson walked in “Good day class.” He said, “Please find yourself a partner because we’re going to do our class project in pairs.” He added. Everyone got cracking trying to find a suitable partner and I considered my options. I was about to go ask McKayla when I heard Jessica ask Brandon to be her partner.

“I already have one, sorry.” He said, and I tried not to let that bother me, why does it matter to me anyway?

“Really? Who?” I heard her crestfallen voice ask, “Katelyn.” Brandon simply replied, shocked I turned sharply to look at him.

“Oh.” She said then she spared me a bitter look before she walked away, I couldn’t really fault her, I’m sure I would’ve felt that way too had I been in her position. I looked back to Brandon who shrugged nonchalantly

“You don’t mind, do you?” he asked, the curve of his lips taunting me. I think the real question was, did I want to mind? “No.” I heard myself say and he smiled then sat next to me. It was then that I noticed his amazing scent; it was a blend of leather and ocean air, intoxicating and unavoidable, just like him. I took another deep breath savoring it, how could I have missed it when we were in the hallway? Then again I was distracted with the rest of him to notice it. When the class settled down Mr. Anderson wrote descriptive drawing on the board.

“Descriptive drawing, basically its art with text. A picture worth a thousand words.” He said with a smile “You will complete a pen and ink drawing using words to determine values. By choosing a picture to work from with high emotional content.” He added then he took out an example and showed it to us.

“Select words that describe the picture’s content, that will help ensure the success of your project. I do encourage you to be creative, so illustrate quotes, music lyrics, poems, go crazy and have fun with it.” He said.

“Words should be placed together tighter, made bolder etc. to achieve darker values. Any question?” He added then answered the questions from the students.

“Get to work on this project immediately, I’m giving you two weeks to complete it.” He said “Please make sure that you do your best because this project will make up 50% of your grade for this term.” He added.

I’ve never tried drawing with words before, it looked challenging but the end product looked breathtaking.

“This is going to be hard.” I said and Brandon chuckled, the sound was very inviting and carefree “This is going to be fun.” He said, his gaze falling to my mouth. I had a feeling he didn’t particularly mean just doing the project, I swallowed hard. Turning my gaze back to Mr. Anderson, what did I get myself into? I thought.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 4

 

I lay on my bed, doing my homework with a catchy pop song blaring through my earphones. Janie walked in and jumped onto my bed, I paused my iPod and looked at her questioningly.

“Daddy said to call you downstairs.” She said and I put my pen down and got off, following her out of my room. JT said we’re going to have a family meeting; we hardly had those, unless they had a big announcement to make. We got downstairs to find Dad on the couch, flicking through the channels on the flat screen. I sat next to him and he smiled at me,

“Hey angel how was school?” He asked, turning his gaze back to the screen

I crossed my legs on the couch “Okay, Mr. Anderson gave us an art project.” I said, “Drawing with words.” I added and he grimaced.

“I heard its not easy, but if anyone can do a great job, its you.” He said, tapping my chin with a finger and I smiled at him.

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind when I’m ready to give up.” I said, not mentioning working with Brandon on it. Why did I agree to partner up with him anyway? The last thing I needed was to be spending more and more time with him. You know exactly why you agreed; you want him. The little voice inside my head taunted me, and I slightly shook my head. I looked around, JT and Mom where nowhere to be found

“Where is everyone? I thought this is a family meeting.” I said,

“That would be our fault, we’re holding them up.” Angela said with a grin walking into the great room with Mom following behind her. My eyebrows shot up in surprise and elation.

“Angie.” I exclaimed, jumping off the couch to hug her. She and Jason fell in love and moved out when I was about 12 years old. They would come to visit sometimes but it was not as frequent as I would’ve liked, I was always close to her growing up. She and Jason are now living in a small town outside of LA with Jamie, their 3-year-old kid.

“Aw Katie, you grow into a beautiful young woman every time I see you.” She said and I laughed, delighted to see her. Maria also came in to greet her with as much surprise as I did, I wondered if Mom and Dad planned this surprise visit. Just then JT came in from the garage with Jason, who greeted me with his trademarked bear hug.

We all had a wonderful dinner after catching up; afterwards Angie and I sat in the kitchen finishing up the dessert. Mom was upstairs with Janie and I wasn’t sure where the men where in the mansion.

“How are you doing, really?” she asked eyeing me and I took a spoonful of ice cream. “I’m okay.” I said and she raised a suspicious eyebrow.

“Why do I smell boy trouble?” she said and I suppressed a blush, she chuckled “So there is a boy, do tell.” She added.

I sighed “Its not like that, he and I are not exactly going out, but I like him its just that…its complicated.” I blurted out and she eyed me for a while.

“Seems to me like you need some advice…have you tried talking to your Mom?” she asked and I snorted.

“I can’t exactly talk to her about this.” I said and she frowned “Why not? I was under the impression that you have the coolest mother ever.” She said and I slightly smiled. “I know; it’s not like that.” I said and she eyed me, encouraging me to elaborate, “I don’t know, she always seems so busy and stuff, I don’t think she’ll be interested.” I added. Mom and I have a disconnection that I don’t have with Dad. We used to be pretty close when I was younger but now that seems to be changing, either she’s pulling away or I ‘am.

“That’s crazy Katie, your Mom is never too busy for you.” She said then paused “That’s not really it, am I right?” she asked and I looked at her and sighed,

“It’s a part of it.” I said “Everyone’s always saying ‘oh Katelyn you look so much like your mother’ I feel like I’m expected to be like her and I’m nothing like my Mom.” I added quickly and she chuckled.

“You’re her daughter for heaven’s sake, what makes you think that?” she asked and I grimaced “Well she’s beautiful and well rounded...I’m nothing like that.” I said and she shook her head

“What makes you think you’re not any of those things?” She asked and I rolled my eyes “Hello—?” I said waving a hand at myself,

“Oh boy, you certainly inherited her modesty.” She said chuckling “No one expects you to be her Katie, there’s nothing wrong with the way you are.” She added and I smiled at her nodding.

“Did she have you talk to me?” I asked and she shocked me by shaking her head, “But she feels like the older you grow the more the two of you drift apart, that’s hurting her