Looking For You

Chapter 50 - Back

Chapter 50 - Back

Surprisingly Christian didn’t come crashing into the ladies’ bathroom. I wasn’t expecting him either. But having time to myself was calming, thinking about what I’m going to do about Celine’s revenge on me. I came up with zero plans at all, seeing as how weak and innocent I am. I’m too nice to do something bad to another person; it’s just not my cup of tea.

There is fifteen minutes until period three starts, but I really don’t want to go to my locker again and face all those nasty words. Maybe I should just skip classes for the day and deal with the locker situation after period six ends where nobody will see me picking up my mess. It’s too horrific to even think about — those words that were painted over my test papers, the locker door and all my work scattered everywhere. I’ve never had a workplace that messy before.

As I’m pacing up and down the bathroom with my head down and my hands behind my back, I start to get distracted with the adjoining white tiles that I stare at. I walk along the cracks, trying to walk in a straight line, but failing because of losing my balance.

Suddenly I almost jump out of my skin as a loud noise comes from the door. It flies open with a bang, but no feet have walked in. As I wait for something to happen, the familiar leg of the crutch staggers in, followed by the other crutch. I slightly smile as I jog to the door, holding it open for Tibby as our eyes meet. I don’t suspect anything in her, but she has definitely suspected my bloodshot eyes from my recent tears.

“Thanks.” She says quietly as she crawls into the middle of the bathroom. Letting go of the door, it closes as I stand beside her, watching her body heave as she tries to catch her breath. Having crutches must be hard work then.

“I’m guessing you saw my locker.” I say, lowering my head. I hold my left arm with my right hand, crossing it over my stomach. Tibby nods, looking away at the mention of my locker incident. I sigh, realising the whole school must’ve seen it because of how fast words spread within this generation. Now whenever I walk around the halls, everyone will recognise me as that girl with a bad reputation. I never wanted to be someone like that. I just thought I was going to be a part of the minority for all of my schooling life. Until now.

“Just to be honest with you, Celine never told me about her revenge plans. She hasn’t spoken to me since yesterday.” Tibby says matter-of-factly, widening her eyes. She uses her hand to express her words, spreading her fingers out as well. “I’m guessing since we’re friends now, Celine doesn’t want to tell me her secrets just in case I tell you.”

I see Tibby roll her eyes at the thought of that. Why can’t Celine accept the fact that Tibby and I are friends now and will do whatever it takes to protect each other? Obviously not. I breathe in, crinkling my eyebrows at my words. “But you still hang out with her, right?”

She immediately shakes her head, gulping down a lump in her throat. “Tiffany and I are trying to keep our distance with Celine. Tiffany told me she never hated you the way Celine does, and she wants to steer away from her evil plans.”

My mouth hangs open at the new information I am hearing. Tiffany is drifting away from Celine? I had always suspected something unusual about her behaviour between the three of them, being the nice one. That’s right; as I bumped into Celine while I was running to the bathroom, Tiffany looked innocent and defensive over me, but didn’t bother to act. Maybe Celine has threatened her as well? Wow, all this information is clicking together, understand why people did what they did.

“What about Sherri?” I ask, cocking my head to the side.

“She’s just like Celine. Sherri and Celine have been friends forever, so there’s no way any one of them will go behind the others’ back.” Tibby says with an exaggerated voice. My mind boggles with the new facts I am suddenly learning all within the five minutes Tibby’s been here. So Tiffany never hated me the way Celine does and Sherri and Celine have basically ganged up on Tiffany and Tibby because of me and Tibby’s reunion? I’d love to know more, if there is any.