Smiling through the pain

Chapter Seventeen

*Mindy's POV*

Coke. 

".....the solution can be got by multiplying the equation with.....yes Solace?"

"I need to use the washroom" 

"Not now"

Fuck you. "I really need to thro-" I fake a gag and slap my hand over my mouth. Mr. Xu's face turns into a panicked one as he quickly whips out a lavatory pass. I grab the lavatory pass and run out, still trying to make myself look sick. Nike gives me a panicked look before I shut the door and jog to the nearest washroom. 

I burst into the nearest stall and pull out that tiny packet of coke from my pocket. I quickly tap some out onto my finger and snort. Why am I not feeling anything?

Another hit has me sliding down the door, onto the floor. Everything grows louder. The lights seem brighter. The sound of me breathing is so loud; I don't hear the bell go off. I'm sitting with my head on my knees when the washroom door bursts open. 

"Mindy where are you?" Nike's voice echoes. "Shit" I mutter while stuffing the packet deep into my jeans. I let out a loud sigh and groan. "Here" 

The door cracks open to reveal a worried Nike. Nike's expression softens when she see's me sitting on the floor. "Are you okay?" she crouches down in front me. "Uh, yeah just the burger at lunch. The one with the weird ass mayo. Man that was gross as fuck. Like the color was just-"

"Stop I'm gonna throw up too now" Nike whined. I flashed her a stupid grin and stood up. "I'm better now, let's go home"

"About that....." Nike says while helping me up. "Hmm?"

Oh shit. Everything spins and grows loud for a second before going back to normal. "Um, I have a homecoming meeting till 4:30 again....."

"Yeah no it's cool you do your thing. I'll wait for you till you're done" I say, letting her drag me out of the washroom. "You still don't want to join?" she asks, handing me my backpack. "Nah" I answer and start making my way through a half hearted crowd. 

"Reconsider that?" 

Nike pops up out of no where next to me. Ugh. Here we go again. "No" I answer and squeeze past two girls chattering. "Please?" Nike blocks my way, pouting. I DON'T WANT TO!

"I just said no. It's still a fucking no" I snap, a little louder than I meant to. Nike's pout morphs into  a blank expression. Oh right. We need to make friends to look happy. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you" I mumble and give her a one armed hug. She hugs me and pulls back with a small smile. It doesn't reach her eyes though. 

Phew. Almost ruined that one. "I'll just hang around. You finish up alright?" I say with a fake smile. Nike nods and gives me another smile before walking off. I watch her turn towards the stairs and disappear. 

How do I kill one and half hours?

_____________________________

You: hey teo where r u

You: just wanted to say hi.....

You: if ur busy I'll meet u tmrw

My knee bounces under the table as I wait for him to reply. I sift around a packet of Doritos, looking for the biggest one, when I get a reply from him. 

Teo: In the gym. Hv a brk in 10

After finishing all the broken chips, I stuff the packet into the depths of my backpack and walk towards the set of double doors that open onto the soccer field. I walk past the bleachers, past the goalposts and down a small cobbled path that leads to the gym. I pause in front of the doors and peek inside.