To Be a Broken Smile (sequel to Tumbling Down - DM Fanfic)

Emotions (Ch.21)

First period. Second period. Third period.

I'm constantly checking my phone, for I don't even know what. I know how Chloe is doing. That's all I care about now, maybe that's why.

I get to lunch, and pick at my food. Paige and Kendall aren't even here.

Pretty soon I get up to wander. I'm not hungry.

I go to the back hallway and take my phone out, dialing Christi's number.

She answers.

Christi: Aren't you in school?
Me: Lunch. And I'm not hungry.
Christi: You have to eat.
Me: I'll eat when I'm hungry. Which isn't now. How's Chloe?
Christi: Sleeping. She's fine. Doctor said she just needs about a week or so to rest up.
Me: Okay. I'll be there after school.
Christi: She's fine. You don't have to worry about her, honey. Where's Paige? With you?
Me: No. She and Kendall weren't at lunch.
Christi: Okay.

We talk for another minute or so then hang up. I stay in the hallway until I have I go to English.

5th period. Sixth period. Study hall. More wandering. And sitting in the back hallway.

My phone goes off while I'm sitting here, scaring me. "Where are you right now?" Tyler's text says.

"Wandering. Pay attention in class."

"It's trigonometry. I don't get it anyways."

"Well if you paid attention in class, maybe you would". I don't mean to insult, but whatever.

"You know, some people just don't get things sometimes. They aren't geniuses like you"

I completely ignore his offhand compliment. I know he's trying to make me feel better, but I won't. "Well still. Pay attention."

"Too late, already got the hall pass. Where are you"

"Hallway."

I slide lower down to the ground, until I'm just lying here. Tyler shows up two seconds later.

Tyler: How many classes have you ditched today?
Me: Lunch.
Tyler: You didn't eat?
Me: Like I told Christi, I'll eat when I'm hungry.
Tyler: You can go a long time without feeling hungry. Eat something.
Me: I don't have anything.

Tyler reaches in his bag and pulls out an apple. It's a red and yellow one. My favorite.

But I don't wanna eat it.

I make a face as I take it.

Tyler: Eat it.
Me: Go back to class.
Tyler: Not until you eat that apple.

I make an even more disgusted face as I take a bite. It's delicious, like any other apple is, but I don't want it.

Suddenly, I get annoyed and self-conscious.

Me: Don't watch me eat!
Tyler: Then eat faster!
Me: I will if you don't watch!
Tyler: Coming from the girl who usually has an abyss for a stomach.
Me: You're so lucky I'm too tired to take insults.
Tyler: Not an insult.
Me: Whatever.

I take a huge bite, chewing quickly.

Tyler: Well I gotta go. Mr.Marks knows I didn't go to the bathroom but he'll get mad if I stay past twice the time I'm allowed.
Me: Okay.
Tyler: Come by my locker after school, alright?
Me: Fine.

He gets up and leaves me to my apple.

During gym, I complain of cramps, which is enough for a male gym teacher to easily give a student the day off.