The Division

14

"Gwen?"

"Gwen, please talk to me."

"Please, say something."

Simone was trying to speak to me during breakfast, but I wasn't listening, I was thinking about Thomas.

I looked down at my buttered toast, deep in my thoughts poking at the bread, thinking of ways I could save Thomas.

I could ask Michelle to convince her dad to find some other land to build on. She's always been a daddy's girl after all.

Those were my thoughts as I bit into my toast, the smooth butter melting in my mouth. 

"If you're not talking to me, just tell me you're not talking to me." Simone muttered as she washed her plate in the sink. I glanced up at her, taking another bite out of my toast.

"But, that would be talking to you."

Simone spun around; her eyes met mine. A huge grin was plastered on her dimpled face. "So, you are talking!" She exclaimed.

I shrugged, looking down at my now empty plate, "I didn't mean to ignore you. I was just thinking of Thomas."

"Who?"

"The ghost boy I'm trying to save." I replied, taking my plate to the sink so I could wash up.

Simone's face turned downward into a resigned frown. "Oh." She shrugged stuffing her textbooks into her bag, along with some other romance stories.

I knew she thought I was crazy, and I knew she saw me as a burden.

But, I didn't care.

There was no point in being angry. No gain.

So, I let it go. It was all in the past.

"Are you ready?" Simone asked, slinging her backpack on her shoulder. I nodded and tucked in my chair before grabbing my own bag from the floor where it previously was.

The ride to school was peaceful, class was the same. Avien didn't hit or insult me. It was weird as it was almost like he was worried about something. Just like I was.

At lunch, I asked Michelle if she could talk to her dad for me. She shrugged and said, "Yes."

"Thankyou both for believing me." I smiled, "It really means a lot."

Jay and Michelle gave me their own small smiles. "No problem." Jay said.

"Yeah." Michelle agreed, "You're our friend Gwen. We'll always have your back."

I couldn't help but feel a little warm inside. I didn't have many friends back in Chicago. I was a little antisocial back then, the weird kid. 

Now that I had Michelle an Jay, I was grateful. I couldn't let them go.

I wouldn't.

The bell for class rang, we were having art next. I walked to the class with Michelle by my side.

"Did Simone apologize to you?" She asked, sitting down at a free desk, I sat beside her and pulled out my art supplies.

"No, but she looked sorry." I said, "I've forgiven her."

Michelle stared at me, wide eyed, "Just like that?" she gaped, "What she said was terrible, she has to earn your forgiveness. In fact, I'm not even sure she deserves it. She didn't even apologize."

I shrugged, "I don't need her apology. Like I said before, I've already forgiven her."

Our art teacher walked into the class wearing a long-sleeved red dress, her stride was graceful, and her long blonde hair flowed freely as she moved to the front.