Twenty four streets away

Chapter three

I am waken up on a Wednesday morning at seven o'clock by my dog Lexi legit having a walking party on my face.

"Lexi get off its so early" I half whine half laugh shoving her off of my face that was currently recovering.

She scratches behind her ear with her right back leg and then randomly starts barking.

"Lexi why are you barking, not now" I push myself up to a sitting position and lean against my bed on its white coloured frame.

I lift Lexi up into mid air and talk to her in a high pitched voice. Her legs start kicking everywhere so I put her down onto my two straight legs. She begins barking again.

Why exactly was she barking this loud and why was she up this early.

Then it hits me.

"Oh my goodness Lexi did I not feed you dinner last night" I hit my forehead with the palm of my hand.

I must have been too busy studying all night long until twelve o'clock when I got into my pyjamas and fell asleep

"Come downstairs I'll give you an extra large break feast" I say then remove the bed covers from my legs and pull on some socks because it was cold.

I lead Lexi down the stairs and she wags her tail happily when she realises what I was giving her. I reached up to the top shelf of the cabinet for the bag of 'Small breed dog food', and finally grab hold of it. The food smells like vomit and egg mixed together so I block my nose and pour it into Lexi's food bowl.

"Here you go Lex" I pat Lexi on her soft small head, her black fur shedding and dropping into my hand.

I glance at my kitchen clock to find that it was already four minutes past seven, so I make my way back upstairs to get changed into some appropriate clothes for school. When I reach my room and shut the door behind me my teeth and body shiver through the cold and fresh wind that whistled through the open slide of my window. I roll over my bed to shut the window and curtains. I then rub my eyes with the back of my hands and my mouth drops to a wide yawn. My cupboard was filled with dresses, t- shirts, shorts, jeans, tights, long sleeved shirts, jumpers, jackets, and practically every type of clothing there was. Since it was a very cold and fresh day some light blue jeans, some brown low cut boots and a white jumper catches my attention so I get dressed and hurry down stairs.

"Okay Lauren I have packed your lunch already sweet heart and your bag is just sitting leaning on the door there" My mother points to where my schoolbag was laying.

"Thanks mum your the best" I smile and hug her before speed walking over to the front door.

"Bye Lauren have a nice day honey" Abigail, my mum waves from the kitchen bench.

Outside is still very cold so my hands turn numb so by the time I reach the bus stop, I feel like an eskimo. I sit myself down on the bus stop seat and wait for the bus to arrive. I hear my phone vibrate so I stiffly reach in my bag to find it. The phone stopped vibrating and I read the message.

Messages

Ashley- Hey Lauren💘 not coming to school today I'm feeling very sick, hope you have a nice day xx

Me- Awe no! I hope you are feeling better soon💖 stay safe xo

Ashley- Bye Lauren, and the bus just drove past my street so it'll be at yours shortly.

Me- thanks it's here now😂💖x

While the bus pulls up I block my ears to avoid the screeching sound of the wheels along the gutter. The bus almost has no seats left but there was one left next to Jake. I started panicking but then realised it was only a seven minute bus ride to school anyway. Plus it would be a great way to start interacting with him more.

"Hi Jake may I sit next to you? There are no more seats" I ask nervously.

"Of course you can. About the movies on Sunday, would you like to come back to my house after woods for a little while? " He moves his bag onto his lap so I can sit next to him.

"That will be great! " I grin as the bus starts moving again.

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In fifth period today I had to present my speech in front of the whole class. The teacher called my name so I nervously stand up from my seat and walk to the front of the classroom. I lean over the teachers desk and plug in my usb several times before it finally fits and I watch the big movie powerpoint screen light up. Three, two, one. The TV which was connected to the computer lights up and my speech appears on the screen. I begin talking and I feel everyone's eyes look at me. My hands and legs started shaking but I push through it and continue talking.

Out of nowhere the screen glitches and my usb explodes into tiny bright sparks. My eyes spot Sophia and Mackenzie holding their mouths trying not to laugh.

"Y- you completely sabotaged this g- guys" My jaw drops and I feel my eyes fill up with water.

"You know I'm not the most confident person and you just made my anxiety feelings worse! " I run to the door and grab the cold door handle. I head towards the bathroom and see Jake, Chris, and Nick walking slowly past.

My feet feel suddenly stuck to the ground and I can't move. I bite my lip and am finally able to run into the bathroom without anybody seeing me.

The doors are all open which meant nobody was in there. I shifted to face the mirror and see that from below my eyes, it looked like I had just done the cold water challenge. I grab some toilet paper and rub my face with it and when I feel like I at least look suitable, I walk back outside and spend the rest of the period outside of my locker.

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"Just roll the dice" Chris whines for about the fifth time.

"Relax Chris geez! " I sit back down at the coffee table.

I roll the dice and it lands on a four.

"There I won the game" I throw my hands up in the air innocently.

"Ugh, when have you ever not won the game" He mumbles while taking off his jacket.

"Why are you so grumpy" I laugh.

"I'm not, but it looks like you care about me aye" Chris raises his eyebrows.

"Whatever" I laugh.

"Hey anyway did you happen to know who ran out of Mr Gidman's French class crying? I saw a girl running to the bathroom but I didn't want to say anything since I always make people feel worse if they are already feeling down" Chris asks.

That girl had been me

"No I don't actually" I lie.