What He Did

Chapter Eight

I fucking hate school.

I hate it SO MUCH!

How is it ONLY one?!

The next day after we went fishing with Ben, school was going by painstakingly slow. It seemed like every time I looked at the clock only a minute had passed by. I had been playing nice with Steph all day and privately cussing her out inside of my head every time I saw her. None of this would've ever happened if it weren't for her.

I always go back to my trust issues, and how that Sunday morning went completely solidified these excuses for me. After telling Steph what happened the night before at the party, and how she reacted, I wasn't going to trust anyone ever again.

FLASHBACK

"Steph, something happened last night. Why won't you believe me?"

"You've never been touched before, have you?" I shake my head with an obvious no. And Steph starts.. Laughing. She's laughing.

"OH MAN, I can't wait to tell Ben!"

"Steph, you can't!! I told him no, and he did it anyway! He wouldn't stop!"

"So.. He forced himself on you? Tara, we HAVE to tell Ben right now."

Houses are rolling by as we drive down Main Street, everyone sleeping this early in the morning. Steph and I had been arguing back and forth the whole way into town, and she's just now caught on to what I've been trying to tell her for about twenty minutes.

"Ben! Ben, we need to talk are you alone?... Okay seriously.. Something happened last nigh-... No, I'm fine.. Tara says.."

"Tara, what have we been discussing?"

The classroom comes crashing in around me as I'm brought back out of my reminiscing session.

"Coach?"

"What I've been teaching for fifteen minutes while you stared at the clock.. What is it?"

"You've been reviewing for the test we have tomorrow, Coach."

"Please, act like you're paying attention so I don't waste time checking on you Tara."

Owned like a boss...

I'm going to get caught daydreaming one day..

Finally, the bell rings signaling the end of history. THANK GOD. I hate history. Way too much memorization for me. But oh geez... Spanish is next. With Steph. I make my way to class, and she's already sitting there waiting for me. Greattttt.

The fact that I have managed to make it to the last class of the day astounds me though. I honestly thought today was never going to end. I sit down at my desk after saying hi to Steph and smiling and waving at Darren.

Class went by in a blur. We actually stayed in class today for lack of anything better to do. Besides, if we left every day, Ms Bernard would start getting suspicious, and we can't have that happen. Steph sat at her desk texting underneath the top and biting her fingernails.

After learning the lesson, we had some class work to do where we had to break off into groups. Darren and I decided to work together leaving Steph to fend for herself. No matter, she never does any of the work when we buddy up anyways, and I actually really need help with this assignment.

Darren and I sit with our desks pushed together, heads ducked so we can actually hear each other. What is it with group lessons? It seems like it's a free ticket to start a rave! Ms B says to keep it to a dull roar, but she's too nice to make us actually be quiet. Everyone is spending the rest of class chit chatting instead of the work, but Darren and I actually get it done! I know, it's kind of nerdy to do your work in class, but if I don't do it here, I wouldn't ever get anything done. Usually when Steph and I hang out, its from the moment we get out of school until about 930 or 10 at night. So long story short, I utilize my class time as much as humanly possible.

Darren and I finish the lesson a few minutes before the end of day bell, so we spend the rest of class joking around and discussing the new classical piece we are learning in guitar for this huge music competition. Darren and I are on the same section in our ensemble, so we like to share notes and give each other pointers. It's usually Darren giving them to me, because frankly, he's the all around better player.

Right before the bell rings, Steph gets done with her assignment and walks back over to our corner of the desks. I bet she's fixing to ask me what we're doing this afternoon.

"So Tara, Ben and Dylan were wanting to hang out after school. What do you say?" Damn...

"I'll pass, Steph. Mom wants me home tonight."

BRRRIIIINNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. Saved by the bell.

"Text me later hooker."

I walk out into the hallway and try to make my way to the front of the school to walk home with my friend, Becky. Becky and I met in middle school when she moved to our town. No one really liked her, because she was really smart and always answering questions in class, but there was just something about her that I think I saw in myself. We were completely different but still kindred spirits all the same. We always walked home together when I didn't go anywhere with Steph. Now, that was becoming few and far between this year, but the last couple of months allowed me that privilege. It was as if we had always done it. We would spend the time catching up, making silly jokes, and discussing class work. We were both in AP classes together. I'm starting to think that's the only way we've been able to stay friends with Steph around since she's always with me.
I see Becky standing at the end of the foyer by the double doors leading outside. Hurriedly picking up my pace to catch up with her, I happen to glance outside and notice Steph walking with Dylan, completely caught up in something he is saying to her. I return my gaze to Becky and smile a hello at her. Why couldn't all of my friends be this genuinely nice?