Save Me

Chapter Four

We arrived in class shortly after, with Dylan on my right and Michael on my left. My hands have been non-stop tapping the whole way there. They kept the topic light, talking amongst each other about sports and new movies they want to see.

I haven't seen a movie in 3 years when my mom and Ben died, so I have no clue what sequel they're talking about. My father moved the TV into his bedroom because he has no desire to watch any movies with me in the living room.

We walk into class and see that the teacher hasn't arrived yet. The teacher, Mrs. Brix didn't assign seating at the start of the year, so we can sit wherever we want. Most people just stick with the seats that they picked on the first day though.

I glance toward Michael and Dylan and see that they are both looking at me expectantly. I have no clue what they want me to do so I make a beeline to my unassigned assigned seat at the back left corner of the classroom.

I place my bag on the ground next to the wall and settle into my chair slowly. Thankfully barely any pain comes from the action.

I grab my notebook from my bag and place it on my desk. I begin to doodle as I wait for the teacher to come.

"Why are you trying so hard to avoid us?" I nearly jump out of my chair as the voice in front of me comes out of nowhere.

I look up to see the stormy gray eyes of Michael. He has this weird look to him that confuses and scares me. His eyes penetrate into my soul behind those thick-rimmed glasses. He looks like he's trying to figure me out and understand my actions. I don't like it one bit.

I can't let these people get to know me too well. It will just be too much for them to handle and they'll all leave, or hate me like my father. They will learn that I'm a murderer. That I killed my very own family. So they will not find out, I'll make sure of that.

I look away from Michael's calculating gaze and find myself looking into the eyes of Dylan, who is standing right next to him. His arms are crossed making the lines of his muscles bulge under the thin black long sleeve. He raises an eyebrow and I realize I still haven't answered Michael's question.

I direct my eyes onto my notebook as I respond, "I-I wasn't avoiding you."

I can feel their gazes burning into me and I squirm uncomfortably.

"Then why do you keep running?" Dylan's grumbly voice questions.

I didn't think that I was running though. I was just going to my seat.

"What do you mean? I was just sitting at my seat." I look up to Michael.

They share a look that I don't understand before Michael sighs and says, "Alright." He plops down into the seat in front of me and Dylan claims the one to my left.

"What are you guys doing? Don't you have seats?" I question, not understanding why they're sitting with me.

Dylan's not looking at me but at his backpack, while he retrieves books. "You didn't sit with us, so these are our new seats." He states matter of factly.

My eyebrows pinch together, "oh."

Thankfully the teacher chooses that time to enter the class because I have no idea what else I'm supposed to respond with.

The old-ish lady walks into the room like she owns the place, which I guess is true. She claps her hands together to gain the class's attention as she steps behind her desk. "Ok class, we will be continuing to create our children's books today. You may talk with your peers and bounce ideas off of each other but of course, plagiarism of any kind is not tolerated. If you have any questions you may come see me in a minute. All right, go ahead but keep the noise level down." She claps again, then sits down.

Everyone takes out their personal laptops or grabs one from the cart. I, of course, don't own a laptop so I quickly grab one from the cart and return to my desk.

When I get back I see that the desks have changed. Michael's desk is turned around and pressed up against the top of mine and Dylan's is pressed to the side, forming an L. My heartbeat speeds up at the thought of sitting so close to them, but then again I sat this close during lunch so I'll be fine.

I squeeze behind Dylan and slowly lower onto my chair.

"Why are you guys being so nice to me?" I blurt out and instantly regret it. What kind of stupid ass question was that?

Michael stares at me for a few seconds and then shrugs, "You seem like a good person Cal, not like most of the other selfish and annoying girls." His eyes soften a little bit as he finishes with, "And you deserve some friends who care about you. We want to be those people. Just give us a chance to show you how good it can be." He gives me a small smile but it seems filled with pity and sadness and I'm not sure why.

I return his smile, though I'm still very fucking confused.

"Ok," I voice quietly. I will let them be my friend but I know that soon they will leave when they find out I'm a murderer. I will hide it as long as I can but secrets can only stay in the dark for so long.

Michael rewards me with a toothy grin and Dylan gains a hint of light in his eyes at my statement, which I didn't realize had been missing. Maybe if they can give me hope for a better life then I can do the same for him and all of them.

 Thanks for reading another chapter. Have a nice rest of your day!

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