Otters

Chapter 10

Monday morning, I was not ready for school.

"Shane! Get up!" Momma shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

I clutched onto my pillow and rolled over, covering my head with blankets. "School is overrated!" I shouted. "Maybe you should let me learn with my own experiences, such as how long can an almost eighteen year old boy sleep?!"

"Don't make me come up there, young man!" She yelled.

"Momma!" I complained.

"Shane!"

"Fine! I'm getting up." I uncovered myself, instantly getting goosebumps on my chest, legs, and arms. I rubbed my eyes and turned away from the window that was letting way too much light in for six in the morning.

"I'm leaving for work now! I'll be back around seven o'clock!" My mom shouted.

"Alright, bye, Momma!" I glanced back out the window to watch her get in the car and drive away.

I quickly pulled out my pack of cigarettes and lit one. I was stressed about having to face Jo later.

As soon as I finished smoking, I got dressed and ran my fingers through my hair. It was really messy and all over the place, but I didn't care.

I slid down the banister to the bottom of the stairs then walked into the kitchen to find something suitable for breakfast. I chose a French toast bagel. I scarfed it down then grabbed my backpack and dashed out to catch the bus.

When I sat down, I purposefully left my backpack on my lap, hoping that maybe Jo would be able to forgive me and sit down next to me. But when she didn't, I felt anger rising inside me and I puffed out my cheeks and clenched my jaw. I could feel my cheeks turning red.

Jo sat, two seats ahead of me, with her shoulders hung low and head buried. I cocked my head to the side as I glanced down at her feet which were pointed towards the other.

I felt horrible. I wished that I never said anything. Maybe then, I'd finally get the guts to take her out.

Jo twirled her hair around her fingers. She adjusted her glasses, her back hunched over. She seemed so vulnerable.

I pursed my lips and kept my gaze out the window. If I had to look at her one more time, I may break on the inside. I couldn't handle it. I just missed her too much.

When the bus arrived at the school, I stayed on until the last person got off so that I wouldn't have a chance with talking to Jo.

I stalked off to my locker and lazily shoved a book in, but it fell out. I became angrier than before. I was just frustrated so much already. I pushed it back in, but it was poking out of the locker to much and the door wouldn't shut. I growled under my breath. I tried slamming it. That didn't work either. I started punching the locker and slamming my shoulder into it. "Close, you damn thing!" I shouted angrily. Everybody was staring at me. I decided to just rip the book from inside the locker and throw it across the hallway. I then pushed my fist into the door, it finally closing. I was breathing heavily and glowered at everyone who passed by me.

The bell rang for all the students to get into the classroom. I stayed out and trudged over to my book. I then realized it was Cindy's journal. I swiftly picked it up and checked over the binding and pages, making sure everything was intact. I opened to the page I was on and quickly skimmed over it.
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January 10th

The results of all the tests came in. When the doctor came in to tell us what was wrong, his face was melancholy and my mom gripped onto my hand.