The Butterfly Project (Student/Teacher)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

            I sat for a moment and took deep breaths. I can’t believe it was only the first day of school and I started this up again, the last time I did it was a week ago when my mother got me upset over the whole eating thing. I looked down at the cut and took some toilet paper from the roll to stop the bleeding. When the bleeding finally stopped I re-taped the blade over the scar and let the flap of my shorts back over it. The bell rang in my absence and I walked back to the Math room and walked in as the last person walked out.  

            “I am really sorry Mr. Marks, it won’t happen again.” I bowed my head in shame and went to retrieve my bag from the back desk.

            “Well, it is okay, would you mind sharing what happened, Leah is it?” He said sitting up on the top of his desk.

            “I just had a small panic attack was all…they happen every now and then, I am okay though.” He looked as if he didn’t believe me and he had every right to, at least I was telling half the truth.

            “Alright, well if you ever need someone to talk to I’m all ears.” He winked at me, I found that slightly awkward and I waved slightly and walked away heading two doors down to English. Why did he wink at me? I thought. Maybe he just does that to all his students or something. I don’t know but it made me feel… slightly weird, but also kind of wanted in a sort of way. The rest of the day went on like any average first day of school. Everyone just went over their syllabuses and introduced us to the class. I had to go out and buy new yoga pants for dance class since all I owned were shorts and jeans and a few dresses, at least I got paid tomorrow. It never made sense to me why we started school on a Thursday but I guess the school district has a reason.  I saw me and Naomi had 3 other classes together, besides lunch we had choir, French and Pre-Calculus together. I didn’t really mind not having many classes with her, it gives me a chance to just be quiet and be myself.  

            “So how was your first day?” Mason asked me as we met by his car.

            “Fine, how was yours?" I asked not mentioning my panic attack and my cutting. My mother, father and brother have no idea I do that, I try so hard to keep it that way.

            He laughed in an, I don’t care, manor.

            “I like my schedule, it’s not too bad.” He nodded in agreement.

            “So, what are you thinking about for your birthday this year?” Mason asked.

            “My license would be nice." I laughed, I was turning 17 and I had my permit but I wanted my license to drive myself to school or to work, even though I only worked at the grocery store 3 blocks away, it was a pain to walk or constantly ask Mason to drive me. Thankfully I have Thursdays and the weekends off, every now and then they call me and ask me to work on Sunday afternoons but I didn’t mind that, it was only part time, pay wasn’t too bad either.

            “Well you know how to drive, take the test.”

            “Yeah, but I need a car.”

            “Well, no reason we can’t share this one, how far are you into saving?” He knew I had been saving many paychecks to try and get myself a car, I was only a couple hundred away from my goal, I have been saving since 2 and a half years ago.

            “I have about $12,000.” I dropped his jaw.

            “Damn, do you think you are going to ask mom and dad to help?”