two
Time seemed to move slowly as I walked the lonely halls of the school. Once I had reached my locker, I placed my books neatly into their places and grabbed the ones I needed. I heard the ring of a bell and stumbled into my homeroom with a look of sadness on my face.
The principal came on the loudspeaker sounding more upset than usual. She began her speech about the students we had lost, naming each and everyone by first and last name. We sat there for about 10 minutes listening to her honor our lost students. Once she was done the bell rang signaling us to hurry off to our next class. My feet carried me out of the classroom and into another.
First period English. I took a seat in my usual spot in the back of the class.
I slumped down into my seat trying not to be noticed by anyone. My sweater was warm enough I was trying to keep myself from falling asleep.
Our teacher, Mr. Collins began his lesson as usual. I dozed off for a while and began thinking about the book we had started reading last week. It was a rather interesting tale that he had introduced to us.
My thoughts were quickly interrupted when I heard the latch of a door and turned my head to see Ashton stumbling inside. His hair was ruffled and messily tucked into a bandana, and his flannel hung loosely off of his broad shoulders.
"You're late," Mr. Collins snapped. Ashton let out a soft chuckle and took a seat not too far from me. He looked back for a moment. His eyes met mine then fell cold. I gulped heavily once he looked away. This was probably the first time he had looked at me since we met at the hospital. He seemed to be upset with me but I wasn't sure why. He rolled his eyes and focused back on the board ahead.
My eyes fell down to my notebook and I felt anger wash over me. Why would he be upset with me? Last I can recall we got along pretty well. Once I looked up he was flirting with the blonde behind him. I watched carefully as she passed him a small corner of a paper which I assumed would be her number. My eyes flickered back down to my notebook where I continued to listen to the lesson. Ashton and the blonde girl had continued to talk for the rest of the hour. It was rather distracting watching her attach onto him like a lost puppy.
I still couldn't process the fact that he was upset with me. Maybe it was just the stress of the fire's anniversary. I wasn't sure but he never seemed to care about things like that. He was very calm the day I met him. We had spent the day together last year. He was sitting in an ER hospital bed for more than half of it, but it was quite enjoyable. I could tell deep down inside he was scared, which was why I stayed with him rather than help my mother with other patients.
Technically, I wasn't allowed to work on anyone in the hospital considering the fact that the only training I had was alongside my parents. But the hospital board got over it considering the circumstances.
About a half hour later the class ended. Ashton had rushed out as quick as he could with the blonde at his side. I just quietly gather my books and left the class, my binders were then tucked neatly between my rib cage and my small arm.
I wandered down the hall lifelessly until I met up with Luke at his locker. This was a regular thing the both of us had done since we met. He was one of my only good friends and unless I was near him, this school was a living hell.
"Hey," I sighed. He just chuckled.
"You seem sad," he giggled. I just playfully rolled my eyes. We talked in the hall for a while before I checked the time.
"I gotta go, see you at lunch," I said quickly. He poked my cheek and laughed. He was such a sweet kid, I was surprised he was so interested in being my friend.
"Okay, have fun in Physics," he smiled sarcastically. I nodded my head and walked off to the classroom.
-
Once lunch came around I had met Luke in the courtyard at our usual table. Once I sat down he greeted me with a smile. My food looked rather inedible, but I pushed through and took a large bite of my pasta salad.
My eyes then flicked up to see Ashton wasn't at his usual lunch table. I just ignored the situation and turned back to Luke.
"Will you just confess your love for Ashton Irwin and get out of my face," he spat with a playful tone. I smirked.
"I don't like him, Luke, he just interests me," I chuckled with a flushed look on my face.
"Fine whatever, but seriously stop, you're scaring me." He huffed with a low tone to his voice. My head fell down to stare into my lap and the corners of my lips tugged upward.
For the rest of lunch, Luke and I sat with our usual group of friends. Luke rolled his eyes every once in a while when Ashton would walk by. I could tell he really didn't like him. But once the bell rang Ashton slowly walked off and into the school once again. I sighed and stood up while holding my tray of food I couldn't manage to keep down.
"Where are you going next," Luke mumbled. I turned to face him as a frown spread across my face. My eyes practically rolled into the back of my head as I spoke.
"Exploratory art."