Silence is Golden

Chapter 31 Part 2

I know I’m late for school but I really don’t care today. I took my time this morning, having an extra-long shower and rummaging through my wardrobe until I found my old ripped jeans to wear instead of my school trousers and my favourite old combat boots. They feel just like home as I slide them on, almost comforting to be back wearing them.

I finally made it to my first class of the day which is already half over. I slipped in the door and headed straight to my seat not bothering to look at the people around me staring.

“Miss Reynolds your late!” my maths teacher said angrily.

I just gave a small shrug of my shoulders and continued to get comfortable in my seat whilst wishing I had brought another jacket. I hadn’t even noticed autumn had begun until the cool air bit at my exposed skin on the walk to school this morning.

“One more late and you can spend your lunch time with me”, she said angrily.

I didn’t even respond, I don’t really care, it’s not like I have anything important to do at lunch.

Slowly the day dragged on and I saw nothing of Eli and the others as my boredom slowly grew making me wish my iPod still worked. Maybe he finally got the hint yesterday. The cold crept in some more but this time it’s inside of me.

At lunch time I stood outside the lunch hall undecided before I went in and stood in the cue for food. I can’t listen to my stomach complain any longer it’s been driving me mad all morning and getting me looked at in class when it does it at the most annoying times. I rummaged through my pockets in search of some change to pay whilst I waited for the cue to move. I stared down at the coins in my hand, 68p that’s gonna get me a lot.

“You forget your lunch money?” someone asked making me look up for the person who had spoken to me.

The girl in front was turned slightly to face me as she waited, she spoke to me. Someone actually spoke to me without being rude. This day is getting weirder and weirder. She had waist length blonde shiny hair and was smiling at me kindly. Why the hell is this girl smiling at me? I looked at her more closely; she had on a little grey pleated skirt, white knee socks, school shirt and tie. She doesn’t look like one of the popular girls; she’s not orange with foundation and fake tan and isn’t carrying some stupid designer hand bag. Maybe it’s not a joke, is she just being nice?

“Here”, she said placing three pound coins in my still open hand containing my change.

She just gave me some lunch money. What does she want in return?

“I'm always forgetting my lunch money, hey I like your boots”, she said still smiling at me.

I nodded slowly and gave her a half smile in return. This is weird, really weird. Luckily it was her turn to get her food so she turned back around to pick what she wanted. Should I use the money, if I use it I'm going to have to find her later to pay her back. It’s my turn to pick something.

Quickly I chose a burger and chips with a drink and headed to pay for it. After paying for it I turned to look for a seat to see the girl waiting for me smiling. Is she a stalker or something?

“So where are we sitting?” she asked brightly.

Still slightly shocked I pointed to an empty table near the back. She smiled happily and started leading the way through the tables and groups of people. Whilst working our way through the groups of people I spotted Jax and Trey at their usual table off to my left but no Eli. That’s strange. Maybe he’s ill or something. I sat down when we got there unsure of what to do now.

“I'm Emma, we have history, art and pe together” she said introducing herself.

Oh, I hadn’t even noticed she was in my classes. Have I really been that inobservant? I gave her a small smile in return.