The perfect storm in a quiet room

Chapter 5

I barely paid attention to whatever the teacher was saying. I couldn't focus; my mind was floating somewhere else, far away from the class. It was wandering through various thoughts and most of them were gloomy. And the thing is that, so far, my life hasn't changed a bit.

In none of the classes, someone tried to talk to me. I was alone, as I've always been. No one appeared to be interested in getting to know me better after the teachers introduced me. Some of my new classmates glimpsed at me, then whispered something among them, and that was the maximum amount of attention I could get from them. And worst of all, Casy wasn't with me. We weren't together in any of these classes, therefore, I couldn't even talk to her.

Casy. She was in my head, too. Since she's mentioned her friends were going to tag along with us for lunch, something inside me felt... odd. I don't know what or why but I didn't like that those two were going to be with us. I just wanted to spend some time alone with Casy, no with those fucking whores who gave me that quizzical look, like judging me, or making fun of me. Anyway, Casy and I couldn't even discuss this situation because we had class so I ended up accepting, unwillingly.

So, to sum up, my situation is the same as it was some weeks ago. This 'new beginning' isn't turning out the way it was supposed to and it didn't change my life the way I thought it would. I'm still that lonely girl, who sits at the back of the classroom and nobody wants to talk to. Something did change, though, and that's Casy. She could be my first opportunity to actually have a true friend, but were we really going to be friends?

The math class is about to finish. The last class of the day, the last effort of the day. Everyone stares at the clock unblinkingly, wishing for the bell to ring to announce the end of the school day. In general, I'm not one of them but today I am. I want the fucking annoying bell to ring and get the fuck out of here. Just five more minutes.

The clock is still ticking and the students are not paying attention to this class anymore. They don't listen to the professor and neither do I. I think he's explaining something about derivatives but I'm not sure. Anyway, whatever this man is saying, surely is boring as hell.

Salvation finally reaches the student's ears and they run away with their already packed bags. Within seconds, a crowd of boys and girls are formed in front of the door, and I try to get through the free spots I managed to see.

I'm finally outside the classroom, scanning the corridor to spot Casy's face. When I see her, she's leaning against the wall, just the way she was earlier when I had that conversation with Daniela Salvatierra. Now that I recall, none of the rest of the teachers talked to me the way she did. Is this because she's the fucking teacher in charge of me and that shit? Could be. That shit still bothers me but it's not the right moment to think about it.

"He...y," I nervously greet her. Being near this girl always makes me nervous.

"Hi cutie, ready to go? Dilara and Valentina are already waiting for us." She says with a wide grin while putting her phone into one of her backpack's pockets.

I nod, more nervous than before. Cutie. No one has ever said that to me, never. Is it a nickname that friends use among them? I'm sure it is. I shouldn't misunderstand these nicknames, they're just that—nicknames. I don't need to overthink this—it's silly.

We walk down the corridor, towards the main door. Once we're near there, I can see that Dilara and Valentina are waiting for us. They're not alone though, they're with a tall and cute boy—what do I say cute—, he's totally handsome, the most handsome boy I've ever seen.

"Who's that?" I ask, not being able to look away from him.

"He's Dilara's boyfriend, Leonardo Mischiaretti. He's rich as hell and one of the most popular boys around here," Casy answers me.

"Wow... rich? Wow..." I say as the stupid girl I am.

"Everything is wow about that boy, isn't it?" Casy says, mocking me.

"God, yeah. He's so beautiful..." I say before my brain can catch up with my mouth.

Casy laughs and gently nudges me. I try to avoid eye-contact with her—I don't want her to see my flushed cheeks.

This is so embarrassing.

I don't know why I said that but I totally regret it. Yeah, he's handsome—very handsome—but what is Casy going to think about me making those comments about her friend's boyfriend? Probably nothing, and her reaction has just shown that. However, I'm not entirely satisfied with my word's election.

The closer we get to them, the more nervous I am, and my doubts about this grow. The uncertainty of not knowing how this lunch is going to be haunts me. I don't even know where we're going to go. Yeah, Casy's said something about going to a place near here, but I'm sure I've never been there. However, what actually intrigues me the most, even if I don't want to admit it, is who this Leonardo Mischiaretti guy is. I'll have the answer soon.