SAVING ZACHARY TUCKER

4. CRISSA

|CRISSA|

"Well, Crissa. All our lockers are full, you'll have to share with someone." The councilor adds.

Iv been sitting in her office for 20 minutes now and everything she said has gone in one ear and out the other.

I nod, a slight shrug until she tells me it's a guy. I shouldn't be bugged by it but I was.

"Locker 228, Zachary Tucker." She nods, "here, let's go right now during class change so we can catch him before he's caught off guard." She stands from her desks and gestures for me to follow behind her.

Hamilton high schools was like all my other high schools, Iv been to 13 to be exact.

Lockers that match the school colors, Blue and White, class rooms, kids. High school.

People stared as Mrs. Garvy and I as we make our way down the hall, interweaving between kids.

I was use to those stares. They weren't longing, in love, star stuck stares, they were simply curious. Iv been the new girl many times and if there's one thing I learned, it's that people get bored.

Next week no one will care that I'm here. I prefer it that way.

"Zach." Mrs. Garvy taps on a guy's shoulder, he's in mid conversation with a whole group of guys who share matching pink T-shirts to him.

Hamilton Warriors, with an Indian chief and a football logo.

Football players. I shouldn't be bugged but I am.

"Mrs. Garvy?" Football player 'Zach' says, eying me from behind her.

I shift uncomfortably in my spot, "Zach this is Crissa," mrs. Garvy steps from out in between us, soon were both in each other's full view.

He holds a fake baby to his chest.

Oh god, is that some type of fettush.

I wave vaguely, "Why are you dressed like that?" He asks.

"Zach, this is your locker partner." Mrs. Garvy offers up, interrupting him with a nudge that said be nice.

She knows about my Juvie record.

Eye brows knitted together, arms folded. "Like what?" I shoot. Mrs. Garvy backs away.

He opens and closes his mouth, "like my little brother." Another guy pipes up from behind him.

I look down to my stripped tank and flannel.

I don't have boobs but goodness, the bluntness of these boys was relentless.

"Would you rather I dress like a Bunch of bitches in pink?" I ask.

Silence.

"Our coaches wife was diagnosed with breast cancer last week." Another one of the football players pipe up.

I open and close my mouth.
We all stare at each other for a second.

Oh my gosh.

"Right well," I say awkwardly, sliding past Zach and shoving my jacket into the locker before rushing off down the hall.

Fail.

The day is long, I go through it like I went through my other hundreds of first days. Alone.

Lunch is always the worst.

I sit in my car, I contemplate sticking my keys in the ignition and leaving but I knew it wouldn't be good to have something else tagged onto my track record.