My Friends Step-Brother

Ch. 7 That Day

RORY'S POV

I woke up the next morning to my alarm. I went to the kitchen to find a note from my mom, reading, "Hey sweet girl, I have the early shift today. Have a great day at school. Love you, mom."

I almost forgot what day today was. It was that day, the day my dad passed away. My mom always takes the morning shift when there is something that makes her sad. And a day like today would do that.

But it also annoyed me that mom would work on a day like this because I need her too.

I got ready for school. I took a cold shower, brushed my teeth, and got ready. I did everything I usually do because I want to try to make this day as normal as possible.

I drive to school, and as I walk in, it feels like everyone is staring at me.

This is a small town, and the word got around fast, and I was getting cards from people I had never heard of. I should have known this day would be anything but normal.

I went straight to my locker. To find Jerimiah already there.

"Hey..." He said. He held out his arms. I went straight to him and wrapped my arms around him.

"How are you?" He asked, still hugging me.

"I'm trying to pretend like everything is normal, but nobody is letting me forget," I said in all honesty.

"I'm sorry, Ror," he said, kissing my head and letting go of me. 

"Let's get to class, I don't want you to be late," he said while putting an arm around me and leading me to Mr. Kane's classroom, for history.

As soon as we got in, everyone stared at me.

"Rory, it is nice to see you today!" Mr. Kane said. That made things worse. Mr. Kane has never said a word to me since the first time I met him.

I gave a side eye to Jerimiah, and he knew I was annoyed.

We sat down at our table. As soon as I got my stuff out of my bag, Grace came up to us.

"So... why are you getting so much attention today?" She said, crossing her arms. Is she serious?

"I made out with a teacher. Guess now I'm the talk of the school," I said sarcastically. Jerimiah laughed beside me.

Grace gave me a look that would kill, but she would have to live under rock if she didn't know what day it was.

Jerimiah was my support system throughout the day. We had all morning classes together and lunch.

It was finally lunchtime. Throughout the whole day, people were being so nice to me, holding doors open, saying hi to me, and apologizing. And teachers have let me slack. In my last class science, Mrs. Keck told me,

"It's okay, darling, you just take it easy today," I was about to say something, but Jerimiah stepped in and stopped me. Which was lucky for both of us.

Jer and I were in the lunch line. I was about to grab the last apple when someone else grabbed it. We made eye contact, and the girl said, "Oh, sorry, you can have it,"

I replied with, "No really its alright. You can have it."

She then said, "No, I insist you've been through a lot today." She handed the apple to me and walked away.

What made things ten times worse is the lunch lady gave me twice as much, "to help me out." Little did she know it wasn't helpful, especially when I couldn't even recognize what I was eating.

My face must have turned red with frustration because Jer but his hand on my back to calm me.

We went to our regular table. To find that Carmen, Will, and of course Joshua already there.