043

Class finished up sooner than I'd realized. I was actually a bit down that I didn't get to finish my work, but I'd have to just make it up at home. I had a pretty sternly thoughtful expression on my face as I got up and cinched my backpack over my shoulders.

"Whoa," Brandon spoke up, grabbing my attention, "what was with that look? You looked like you were plotting to take over the world or something." Frank and Josh chuckled in amusement.

"Just thinking about Nora," I replied with a shrug.

"Don't sweat it, man," he casually said. "Nora and I always walk home together. I'll check on her and make sure she's good. Okay?"

"Thanks," I smirked at him as he gave me a reassuring pat on the arm. The four of us then made our way out of class together.

Outside, we said our 'goodbye's and each of us headed off to our next class. Just as I began to walk away, I felt a hand grab my shoulder and bring me to a halt. In the back of my mind I somehow expected it to be Jason and so I quickly spun aroun