Nicholas Overwhelmed [Published Version]

Chapter 10: Friend Insults

I try to forget that mom is happy about losing dad. I know I wouldn't be. I am kind of glad that he's not hurting us anymore.
Mom drops me off at school and I remember that we have our first state test. I begin to worry, because I don't know what will happen or how many questions there are. We finally get to see our real teacher for the rest of the year, even though it's April, and we have two months left of school.
"Hello everyone! I'm Mrs. Juliet! Who's Nicholas?" she asks. I raise my hand.
"Hi Nicholas! I heard what happened and I'm really sorry!"
"Oh, I don't really like to be reminded of it, but thank you." I say.
She hands us this yellow card with a number and our name on it. I log out of my chromebook, click on "State Project 5", and I type in all the information.
At recess, our old friend Austin comes. We got rid of him because he was just a jerk and wanted to be the boss of everything and be better than everyone. He comes up to me and says, "Just give me a second chance, everyone needs a second chance. I have no friends." I don't say anything, but I think, "You wonder why you have no friends, don't you?" All I say is, "Fine."
Austin starts playing with us and we play tag.
"Why don't we just make me a permanent tagger?" I say no, but of course, no one listens to me. He becomes the tagger and he goes for me. I yell, "STOP GETTING ME!" And he says, "Well you got to outrun me first." I do my normal run and he quits after one second. I go to Jace and I tell him, "Can we please get rid of him again?!" Henry and I agree on little things so I go to him. "You hate Austin too, don't you?" He nods and we go to the swings.
At lunch recess, I go to Austin and I say, "I don't think it's going to work, sorry."
"So does this mean I'm banned from all of this?"
"I don't know."
He continues to play with us.
Then Henry and I just sit and do nothing.
When the bell rings, we head inside and it is early dismissal so we leave right after lunch. I walked home and I accidentally stepped on Henry's shoe.
"Bro! Really?! I just got these! Watch where you're going, stupid!"
"Oh...Oh...I'm sorry I didn't mean too!"
"Your voice is cringe by the way."
I walk away, with my head down, but I turn back.
"You know what, we are not friends anymore. Bye." And I walk to the car.
"How was your day?!" Mom says, all happy and optimistic.
"Fine. Henry and I aren't friends anymore."
"Well, I'm sorry to say this, but I saw this coming."
"Me too." I answer back.
"Oh don't forget! Tomorrow is the divorce, you are skipping school. Also, Brayden is not my son anymore. He's now with Noah and Gloria. It's just you, Julia, and I." I don't know how to answer. Inside I feel so happy, but outside, I just feel like a blobfish.
"When you see Brayden, don't say anything to him. Okay?"
"Okay," I say. We headed home to Julia.
At home, Brayden has all his things packed and Noah comes to pick him up. "Idiot, stupid, sensitive. By the way Julia, you're stupid!" Noah says. "Ahh! Feels good to leave this disgusting house!" I got really angry and I punched Noah in the stomach and pushed him out the door.
As Brayden leaves, I start jumping on the couch and Mom looks at me like I'm doing something wrong. I felt like I was doing something wrong. I felt like now I know that I am a problem.