Insomnia

10| Backpack

Chanel's Point of View

August 17 2022

Heaven High. So high. As I stood at the doorway of the school doors, I watched as all the students rushed to find their friends and to find their classes, lockers. Even Valentina, flashed me a smile as she walked past me with her arm looped around Travis. I pulled my hood up and kept my head down as I walked down the hall to find my locker. I turned the lock till it opened and put my books inside, along with any drugs I have on me at the moment. The bell rang, warning us that class starts in five minutes. I rubbed my eyes and shut my locker. I walked around everyone and made it to my first class. English.

I sat in the back and with each second, another student walked in and found a seat. Some I remembered, some I didn't. The second bell rang and I put my head down on my desk as the teacher decided it was time to introduce herself as if 90 percent of us didn't have her before. I pulled the hood down further, making sure no light got in. I paid attention though. I listened as the door opened. "You're late." She said as I listened to steps get closer to the back of the room. Whoever walked in didn't answer her though.

The steps stopped and a loud bang on my desk got me to lift my head immediately. I looked up and saw Landon sitting down on the empty desk next to mine. Looking down at my desk, a binder was laid on it. I opened it and skimmed through the papers. Several pictures, definitions, and essays all on the Green Oak residence. "You wrote all this?" I whispered over to him. He nodded with a soft smile. "You wanted to know about it right?" I looked through the binder again. "I wanted to know if it was suicide not, a book." I laughed. "Sorry I guess I got carried away." He took the binder off my desk and put it into his backpack. He fixed himself and focused on the teacher.

My smile dropped and I felt bad, but I put my hood back up and covered my face. I listened to the teacher as I shut my eyes and waited for the next bell. None of the teachers would be saying anything interesting, as it's only the first week of school. I only pay attention in the last few months of school anyway. Long enough to graduate. I heard the sound of scratching on paper and peeked outside my hoodie to see Landon drawing. It was a fresh start and I had no idea what he was drawing, but it looked nice.

Before I knew it the next bell rang. By the time I put my head up he was already walking out the class door. I grabbed my backpack and ran after him. It didn't take much to find him in the halls. I carefully unzipped his bag as he walked and pulled out the binder. I zipped up his bag and moved next to him, grabbing his attention. I held it in front of him as I smiled. He tried to grab it out of my hand but I pulled it back. "Can I have my book back?" He asked, sounding annoyed. "You made it for me though, you don't take back gifts Landon." I held onto the binder close to my chest. He didn't say anything and just kept walking. Did he expect me to apologize or something?

"What's your next class?" He looked me up and down and let out a breath. "Physic's." We both took a turn into another crowded hall. "Are you following me?" I asked. He bowed his head and even though he tried to hide it, I saw the edge of his lips curl into a smile. Before I could point it out we were stopped by a familiar face. "Ivy?" She said, pulling me into a hug. I put my hands behind my back and waited for her to pull away. "Hey Ella." She smiled and stood so close to me and Landon. Ella was my friend back in freshman but as of last year she cut me and everyone ever knew off for her boyfriend. The boyfriend that cheated and left her three days before summer. "Who's this?" She pointed to Landon. "A friend, what do you want?" I asked.

"I wanted to know if you wanted to skip in the bathroom. I brought lines." I didn't even think about it and parted off with her. The halls were mostly empty and only security was left. We waited till they turned and ran into the girls bathroom. Locking ourselves in the big stall, I sat on the sink as she sat on the toilet making sure our feet were not being shown under the stall doors.

"Are you going to tell me who you were with?" She pulled a clear bag out of her back, along with a credit card. "I did tell you who. Ella, honestly I wouldn't be talking to you if you came to me empty handed." She poured the white powder onto the top of the bathroom and made thin lines with the credit card. "By all means." She pointed for me to go first. "Where'd you get it from?" Before she could answer I leaned over and sniffed as hard as I could. "I made it." She said, going next. My jaw dropped as I wiped my nose. "Made it of what?" She shrugged, and I wanted to panic but I couldn't. "I'm going to die tonight." I whispered to myself.

We stayed in the bathroom for two periods, taking a line every forty minutes. We didn't talk to one another as I read through the binder Landon made. His research was so thorough. To the point of when the land was found to the moment he brought the house. His handwriting was neat, and soft. He wrote in pen and not once did he make a mistake. Before I could finish, the bell for lunch rang. I hopped off of the sick and grabbed my bag, standing up. I was dizzy at first but I caught my balance and walked out.

Once I got to the cafeteria, every one was silent while Valentina and Travis stood on top of the table. I scoffed, when she glanced down at me. She held onto his arm like it was all she ever had. "It is our last year, you guys." Travis started. "So in honor of our first day I invite each and every senior to my welcoming party up in Manhattan." Everyone clapped and cheered. "My beautiful wife here, will send you guys the address." Travis turned to Valentina and kissed her. A long, wet kiss.

I gagged and turned around. I walked to the back of the school and went out to the benches. I sat down and put my headphones over my ears and played music so loud, I couldn't hear the steps of everyone around me. I laid down and closed my eyes. I kept counting to ten and restarted every time I reached ten. I did for about twenty minutes, until I felt someone tap my leg. I quickly sat up and opened my eyes. I sighed in relief when my eyes met those green ones. I took off my headphones and turned off the music, laying back down and placing my legs on his lap. I laid on my hip and closed my eyes as his arms rested on my legs.

"Going to the party tonight?" He asked. "The girl next to him was my cousin. She will stuff me in a dress, and drag me there. You?" I listened as he took a deep breath. "Why not? That is the point of this year right?" I chuckled and opened my eyes. "I don't think I've seen you in a dress." He said, looking down at me. "You have seen me naked in fishnets and latex." We smiled at one another. "Well that's for work. I'm sure you look decent in a dress." I closed my eyes again and turned my head. "Are you skipping again?" He asked. "I'd like for you to not, and go to class with me though." I took in a deep breath and the bell rang again. "I'll think about it." I lied, standing up. He stood up and draped his arm around me, and walked to our next class. French.