Clouds of Violet

Chapter Fourteen

Monday, September 15th, 8:17

I don't know about the other kids in my detention, but I didn't manage to hide from the news reporters.

On my way to school, some people stared as I rode my bike and some had the nerve to take pictures. It wasn't like everyone was flashing their cameras in my face, so it wasn't terrible. But when I got to school?

That was the absolute worst.

The minute I rode my bike into the parking lot, I felt at least three cameras go off. They can't come onto campus, but they're right outside the schools in their news vans, waiting for us detention kids to show up. They're like hunters, and they can't tell the difference between chasing our tails or chasing their own.

I look out Ms. Kendall's window as she takes homeroom attendance. A bunch of news reporters are sitting on a bench, having coffees and bagels. I scowl at them, though they can't see me. 

After class, I meet up with Zara, who's red in the face.

"These fucking photographers," she says. "They found out where I live and pulled up outside our house. My parents are gonna file a restraining order or something."

"Are you going to move houses?" I ask as we head to the cafeteria.

"No, that's too much," she says. "But even now, they're still outside the school. They're basically trespassing."

"Except that they're not," I say. "They're not on campus. It's legal."

"Okay, but they're taking pictures of people without their consent," Zara points out. "It's more commonly known as stalking."

"It's not like we can do anything about it," I say, pushing open the cafeteria doors. "They'll find ways to take pictures of us either way. It's best if we just avoid them."

"How can I avoid them when they're always up my ass?" Zara scowls. She gets in line and yanks a salad from the salad bar.

"Is that all you're gonna get?" I ask, piling my plate with lasagna. "You haven't been eating much these days...are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Zara says. "I just don't have an appetite. I haven't in a while. Every time I eat, I get sick and throw up. And when I don't eat, I get sick and throw up."

"Ooooh, you could be pregnant," I say, bumping her shoulder.

"Are you insane?" she says. "I'm a virgin, you idiot. And I'm fourteen. My life would basically be over the minute that baby would be born."

"Weren't you complaining that your period was late?" I say. We take our trays to our usual table, where Max is eating carrot sticks and Ezra's listening to him speak.

"Listen, dude, grades don't even matter," he's saying. "You can just get a basketball scholarship."

"Well, it is late," Zara says, sitting in her usual spot. I sit down next to her, and Max and Ezra stop their conversation to listen to ours.

"Exactly," I say.

"What's late?" Max asks.

"Something that's none of your business," Zara says. "But, Sky, that could mean anything. It doesn't mean...you know."

"What are you to talking about?" Max whines. "Don't leave me in suspense."

"She's in denial," I say. "But never mind her. What were you guys talking about?"

"We had a pop quiz in Maths, and Ezra's scared that he didn't do well," Max says. "Which brings me back to what I was saying. If your grades aren't college worthy, you can just get a scholarship for basketball."

"You idiot, I can't just get a scholarship," Ezra says. "Recruiters have to notice me at games, that's how it works." He stabs his lasagna with his plastic fork. "Besides, one quiz won't determine my grade. I just don't wanna get a bad grade." His lasagna falls off his fork and into his plate. He scowls as he tries to pick it back up again.

"More importantly," Zara begins. "There's a pop quiz in Maths?"

"Yep," Max says, stuffing his mouth with three carrot sticks. "Ms. Kendall's being a bitch. It's only the third week of school."

"I have Maths after free period," I say to Zara. "We can study together, if you want."

"Can I come?" Max asks, swallowing his carrot sticks. "Aaron's not here today and Ezra's too busy stressing about his grades. I have nothing else to do."

"Wait, why isn't Aaron here today?" Zara asks.

"He texted me this morning," Max says. "Said that he was sick."

"You guys even get sick at the same time," I whisper to Zara. "Lemme guess, he's nauseous and throwing up every time he eats."

"Yeah, projectile vomiting," Max says. "He told me that he had morning sickness or something like that. At least that's what he said."

"Wow, you guys are even pregnant at the same time," I say, patting Zara's shoulder.

"Shut the fuck up," she says in between laughs.

"You guys are weird," Max says, shoving more carrot sticks down his throat.

Zara makes a face at him.

"For goodness' sake, Max," I say. "You're gonna be shitting carrot sticks all over the place."