Not Yet Alone

Chapter 7

When I am nothing but a distant memory, I want the words I said to be more than just words. I want my actions to be more than just actions. I want the life I lived to be more than just a life. When I am forgotten, at least I know I will have achieved something.

****

My stupid annoying alarm clock woke me up. Surely it wasn't morning already!

However, time would not be kind enough to grant me a few more minutes of rest. I knew I had to get up; Mrs. Olsen would not be so forgiving as to allow me another day of being late. I forced myself out of my warm bed and went to take a quick shower.

Once I had completed my morning routine, I dressed myself in a gray dress that reached my knees, black leggings, and black boots. A bunch of jangly necklaces completed my outfit.

I helped myself to a chocolate chip muffin my mom must have boughten and a Mountain Dew from the refrigerator. The next hour of my life was spent on my phone sending some messages. As much as I would like a break, there is always just one more life to save.

The only thing interrupting my work was school. Stupid school. Why did it have to be so early? Not even my parents have to be awake for work yet.

I grabbed an extra bottle of Mountain Dew for the afternoon and left for school.

I was feeling quite proud of myself that I was going to be on time for class today. Here I was seven minutes early. I had just deposited my belongings into my locker when a voice startled me from behind.

Voices aren't supposed to startle me. I'm supposed to be prepared for anything, but there was no way I could be prepared for this voice.

"Hey Taylor! You are looking lovely this morning." I almost dropped my Mountain Dew in surprise. Didn't that guy know it is never wise to sneak up on a woman with a pop bottle in her hand?

I frowned at Austin. "Hi."

"So, I was just about to go to class. I have history with Mrs. Olsen for my first class." What? As if one class wasn't enough, he had to be in my history class too? "Hey, are you by any chance in this class with me?"

"Um, no." Another lie slid out of my mouth. Oppsies.

"Oh," Austin probably had more to say, but Kathrine chose to approach him at that moment.

"Hey, you must be Austin, the new guy." She cooed. Her actions did not surprise me. It is a known fact that Kathrine will hit on any hot male that she lays her eyes upon. I know this from an experience, however,

Finally, someone to distract him. Distracting Austin from me was my main concern at the moment. I took the opportunity to put as much distance between me and him as possible.

Once I had ducked into my classroom and seated myself, I felt much safer. But, my security was short lived because a minute later, Kathrine strolled in with Austin in tow.

They marched up to Mrs. Olsen, and of course, she told him to him to take the last empty seat, which happened to be right next to me. At the sight of me, Austin's eyes lit up with amusement.

"So, you aren't in this class, huh?" He whispered to me as he sat down.

He is getting really annoying. I am not even going to give him the dignity of answering his comment. I hate getting caught in a lie.

"Austin, if you need help or want the notes you missed, feel free to ask Taylor. She'll be happy to help." Mrs. Olsen called out to him from the front of the room.

How did Mrs. Olsen know that I really wanted to waste my time with him (that was meant to be sarcastic)?

"Okay, thanks." Austin said, then he turned to me. "I was going to call you last night to set up a time for when you could help me with chemistry, but I realized I didn't have your number."