perfect storm

Chapter Fourteen | Regrets

April 11th, 2022, 7:00 AM

i slouched down in my chair, the hood of my jacket slightly falling over my eyes. i felt like fucking shit, emotionally and physically. i spent the rest of my weekend in bed. i barely checked my phone, but when i did, it was more missed calls and texts from Eddie. other than that, everyone else checked on me. Nancy and Jonathan called me. Robin and Steve came over and dragged me out of bed so i could shower and take some care of myself. i filled them in on what happened. they listened to me, gave me a shoulder to cry on, and even laid in bed with me.

i couldn't ask for better friends. they make me feel so supported and loved. i felt happiness for the first time in two fucking days. now, though, i couldn't avoid Eddie. it was easy when i could just stay home. today is Monday, and i have two classes with him. this was going to fucking suck. i laid my head down on my desk, cushioning it with my arms. his words were still in my mind and it made me sick to my stomach. i begged my mom to let me stay home today. she didn't let me. now i was up at the ass crack of dawn while i felt like this. 

i kept my eyes open despite it looking like i was sleeping. i was watching someone's pen fall of their desk and roll across the tile floor when i saw the oh-so-familiar white high tops come through the doorway. great. i groaned and turned my head down to the desk, closing my eyes, knowing he was about to sit next to me as he's been doing for three months. i heard him slide into his seat and drop his bag onto the floor, sighing. i turned my head to the left the tiniest amount so he wouldn't notice. i opened my eye and peeked over my arm. Eddie was there, alright. but he looked like shit. 

his hair wasn't fixed; it looked like he woke up and didn't look in the mirror. he swapped out his normal leather jacket and jeans with a ratty band t-shirt and black joggers. i glanced down to his desk. he still had on the bracelet. i turned my head back to my desk, accidentally too fast, because i could feel him looking at me. after a minute of silence, the teacher started talking. "happy Monday class. Ruby, head up please." she said. i rolled my eyes as far back in my head as i could and picked my head up, resting my head on my palm. "thank you." she continued. "today, we are working on this assignment with partners." 

she gave the people in the front row small stacks of the assignment so they could hand them back. "the person to your left will be your partner for today." oh jesus christ.

are you fucking serious? i covered my face with my hands. this cannot be happening. everyone around me started moving their desks right next to their partner's. i should have pretended to fucking throw up this morning. i found the guts to turn to my left. Eddie was looking elsewhere, but as soon as he saw me turn in his peripheral, his eyes shot over to mine. "guess we're partners!" i said in the most sarcastically enthusiastic voice i could make. i stood up and pushed my desk hard against his, making a loud slamming sound. some people picked their heads up and looked at me. he gave me an unamused look and i sat back down.

i turned in my seat completely to the front, making sure my body language was clear. i started writing my name at the top like nothing happened. i heard him sigh again. i physically couldn't hold back my pettiness. this was about to be disastrous. he tried to act normal. "do you understand this question?" he asked, pointing to question two with the eraser of his pencil. i reluctantly fixed my gaze to his paper. he had the first question already done. i looked up at him. "why did you do number one without me? we're supposed to do them together." i said, in an annoyed tone. 

"actually, never mind. you don't know what 'together' means. so just do them all yourself if you want." i taunted. he threw his head back and groaned. "jesus christ Ruby. i'll just ask the fucking teacher." he snapped back. i shrugged as he raised his hand and the teacher came over. she explained it to him while i zoned out. was that too much? i don't care. he should've seen how i was last weekend. i was basically inconsolable and all he could do was blow up my phone. she walked away and i came back to reality. "i figured out the answer, no thanks to you." he muttered, keeping his eyes on his paper.