Hey Punk, Keep This a Secret

Chapter Six: Carly James

 It was my turn to do the announcements before school that next morning. The only part of being in the student council that I hate dearly. Hypocrisy by force, and in front of everybody in the school.

I'm specifically talking about the part at the beginning where I have to recite the pledge of allegiance, if you didn't know already.

Plenty of people would consider me overdramatic for thinking this way. Even Danny has told me that it doesn't matter much, as long as my beliefs still hold true within. I suppose she is correct in a way. It's just irritating to pretend, I think.

I made my way to the office like usual. I tried my best to remember the importance of Danny's words. She would wish me to heed her words even in the case of her death- more for my own sake than hers- so I figured it was the right thing to do. I had my script in front of me already (that's how the announcements usually go), and I was ready to get it over with.

But before I could even start, I was interrupted. "Oh, hi Carly." A random girl said as she came into the office. "I just came to turn in the attendance for our class. If you see the office lady, can you hand this to her?"

"Yeah, of course," I said, and took the paper from her hands. My eyes skimmed the list, and saw that Chance was marked as absent.

"Thanks Carly!" She said, and ran out the door before I could get in the last word. It wasn't like I was going to respond anyway. How could I?

I was in absolute shock. Chance wouldn't miss school even if his head was in his hands. The nurses have had to force him to go home before, because he wouldn't stop vomiting. I remember it well, because it was coincidentally during the same time that Danny was recovering from another case of her parents' neglect.

We were reading a play in our middle school English class, and just as Chance was reaching the climax of his character's speech, he vomited.

"Chance, you clearly aren't feeling well," the teacher had told him something of that sort, while completely ignoring the panic that Danny was in at the sight of the mess.

"Worry not, it was merely a slip up. I needn't let it ruin my day," Chance claimed proudly. Despite his sickness, he was able to play the part of his character well, as he always does. He persisted the act even after vomiting all over the floor, and almost slipping in it trying to catch his balance.

"Now, where was I, ah yes, Line 87-"

"Where you need to be is the nurse, Chance," the teacher interrupted.

"Pity. Fine, I shall leave," Chance sighed. He set the book back down on his desk before walking out the door to make his way to the nurse.

Chance would have fought tooth and nail to not miss school. I've known him for too long to think otherwise.

Hart had already got him. It was the only explanation I could think of. The only other possibility is that he suddenly died from an undiscovered case of cancer or something, and the possibility of that is slim to none.

I didn't have time to write it down, but I made a mental note:

Chance was absent from school on 11/22. Keep in mind, Chance is not the type to miss school even if he's deathly sick.

I couldn't stall any more, no matter how much I wanted to. No matter how much I shook, no matter how pissed off I was. I turned on the microphone to begin the announcements.

"Please stand for the pledge." I hadn't even said good morning.

"Justice for all, liberty and... bullshit." Words were coming out of my mouth against my will. I noticed the tension around me rising, and knew that if I didn't do as asked, things would go downhill.