Shattered Asylum

Chapter 7

I step through the doors of Lakewood High, heading straight for my locker. The second week of school. Here's hoping it's better than the last.

As I switch out my books, I hear a familiar voice screaming down the hallway. Nora. I brace myself, knowing she's about to pounce.

Sure enough, she barrels through the crowd, drawing every eye in the hall, and throws her arms around me. She's practically jumping up and down, dragging me with her.

"How was dinner with your future husband?!"

Oh. My. Gosh.

I wiggle free from her death grip, glaring at her. "HE IS NOT MY FUTURE ANYTHING!" I yell way louder than intended.

The hallway goes eerily quiet. I glance around to see people staring at me like I've lost my mind.

Hehe...oops.

"Fine," Nora says, smirking. "But I want all the deets."

I roll my eyes but give her a quick rundown anyway.

"YOUR GRANDPA SAID WHAT?!" she shrieks, doubling over with laughter. "Oh my gosh, that's amazing."

I laugh along with her, shaking my head. "Grayson looked so embarrassed."

"She's got a point, though," Nora says, still snickering. "You should totally be on birth control. I mean, why aren't you already?"

"Well, sorry, not everyone was having sex at thirteen," I snap, grabbing my mascara from my bag.

She flicks her hair over her shoulder with a smug grin. "Hey, I wanted to get it over with."

I glance at her reflection in my little mirror as I swipe mascara onto my lashes. "Anyways. Did you give Grayson my number?"

Her reflection freezes for a split second, then she narrows her eyes. "No, I didn't. Why?"

"He called me last night," I say casually, closing my locker.

Nora's jaw drops. "And you didn't think to tell me!?"

I shrug, walking toward English with her on my heels. "It wasn't worth mentioning."

"Are you kidding me?" She huffs. "What did he say?"

"All he did was annoy the crap out of me." I reply, brushing her off.

"Pfft," She crosses her arms, frowning. "I wonder who gave him your number?"

That's the million-dollar question. If it wasn't Nora or Grandpa, then... Who?

~

I slid into my seat just as Madison arrived, instantly drawing all of Nora's attention. Crossing my arms, I turn to stare out the window, my jaw tight and my mood sour.

Something heavy and unfamiliar churned in my chest. A knot of anger mixed with...hurt?

Why did it feel like a punch to the gut every time Nora forgot I existed the second Madison showed up?

Madison, of all people. The backstabbing queen of fake smiles and ulterior motives.

The feeling was suffocating, a nasty swirl of resentment and insecurity I'd never dealt with before. I didn't like it, and I didn't like what it said about me.

Pulling out my phone, I typed into Google: Why am I upset when my friend talks to someone else?

The first result hit me like a slap: You may be experiencing jealousy.

Jealousy? Of Madison? No. Absolutely not. The internet had to be broken.

I lock my phone and shove it deep into my pocket, slumping lower in my seat. The bubbling in my chest didn't go away, though. It sat there, simmering, as I stared at the clock and waited for class to start.