Behind the Screens

Chapter 6

I entered the cold Principal's office. It was empty and silent. Normal.

I sat down in one of the cushioned chairs and faced Mr. Stevenson, the Principal.

"You wanted to see me."

I smiled warmingly, trying to make a good impression. Principals are the first people you want to like you. Especially at a new school.

"Yes," Stevenson replied, "Uh, for day 1, we're changing your gym to acting because we just received word that you already had gym and also your Biology 1 is a 2 for Day 2 period 4 now."

"Alright," I replied, relieved I didn't do anything wrong, "Sounds good."

After school, I exited Hague Burg and walked onto the sidewalk of the loop. Kevin ran up beside me and called my name.

"Elli."

I turned to him, still walking ahead. "Oh, hey Kevin."

"What did they need you for?" he asked.

"Changing Day 1 and 2 4th period classes."

"To what?"

I smirked, "Stay clueless."

"Huh?"

"You didn't tell me your classes, so I ain't telling you mine."

He glared at me, his face filled with an annoyed look. "What's that supposed to mean?!?!"

"Triangle!" I replied. I quickly stopped walking and stared off into space for a brief moment. Kevin stopped walking as well and just stared at me.

"I thought-"

Before he was able to think, I ran away quickly and headed toward my front door. Before I got too far, I heard him say "Did I scare her or something?". Which this time, he didn't scare me. He was being understanding and caring.

The weekend went by quickly, and before I knew it, it was Monday. Day 1. Math.

I entered the school with Angelina, ranting off about something random again. The cold school air hit my face and it felt nice.

"And then I screamed and said 'No!' and took it and that's how I adopted a block of cheese!"

"Intriguing," said Angelina, nodding her head as if she was interested. I knew she probably wasn't, but the adoption story is my go-to.

"Anyways," I said, after a few seconds of silence. It wasn't completely silent, of course, as people around us were talking and shuffing their feet. "Time for Mr. Cullard's class. Bye, Angelina."

"Bye, Elli," she waved to me before I entered Cullard's room.

The day was again quick. Fourth period came before I knew it, and it was acting class. One of the new classes I had gotten Friday.

I entered the class, waving to the teacher. "Hello."

"Hi," said the teacher. "Are you Georgia?"

I nodded, "Yep! That's me!" I looked around, seeing if I knew anyone in this class.

"I'm Mr. Marsland," he replied, catching my attention again. "So we're starting a new unit today so you're lucky."

"What's it about?"

"Crying on cue."

"I can do that easily 'cause I'm sensitive so it's easy for me."

"Okay, do it right now."

I stared into his eyes, forcing a tear though. Finally, after 5 seconds, one fell and I was able to blink again. More fell from the blink.

"Well, you're gonna have to learn how to do it without staring."

"Think of something sad! Like if you used your all power to join your best online friend's school only for him to best you up about it."

"Uh...a little specific."

"It's only pacific because it's based on a true story." I love to switch pacific and specific around. It confused people, and their reactions are always hilarious. Especially if they're new. "Besides, it's not like he's in here-"

Suddenly, the classroom door opened and Kevin entered the class. Crap.

"Elli, what are you doing here?!"

"Enter the drama queen..." I said, under my breath that Mr. Marsland could hear.

"Him?" he asked, turning to me.

I nodded, "Yep."

Kevin walked up to us, "What'd I do?"

Marsland turned to Kevin without hesitation, "Tyler, your online friend here used her wing power to get over here and surprise you and you beat her up about it?"

Kevin glared at me. Rage was in his face. My anxiety rose a little. I hid my face quickly as he glared in my direction.

"Sorry, Georgia, if I'm not happy enough for you! Sorry if I'm a little unsettled about the fact my supposedly friend knows my classmates now! Maybe I don't want you here at all!"

This is what I was afraid of. This reaction. My anxiety kept going up.

"Tyler! Don't be mean!" Marsland shouted.

"It's fine, Mr. Marsland." Of course it was fine. Why wouldn't it be? I looked up at Kevin and said, "I'm used to it."

I walked away coldly to my seat and sat down. I took out my phone and typed on it as Kevin and Marsland kept communicating.

"Don't be mean, Tyler." Marsland said before walking to the front of the class.

When I finished typing, texting bubbles popped up. I was texting Earla to check up on her.

The next two words that came out of that message broke my heart.

Earla: she's dead.

Surely, they couldn't mean Earla, right? I read the message again before processing it thoroughly.

My best friend is dead.

I slammed my phone down, covered my face, and yelled "No!"

"Georgia, you good?" I could hear Marsland ask me. He seemed worried.

I started crying immediately, yelling "Earla!" over and over. After 4 times, I ran straight into the hallway.

"Can someone check on her?" Marsland asked the class.

Kevin was the one to exit the class. He ran down the hall after me and when we caught up with me he grabbed my hand and turned me around. We were facing each other for a few seconds before I immediately went in for a hug. I've never hugged anyone this tight before. I never imagined myself to hug Kevin either.

Especially with him being super angry like 25 seconds ago.

"She's dead!" I cried, wrapping him into my arms.

"Who?" he asked, not pushing me away.

"Earla! Your ex!" I yelled, sobbing still.

"What?!" he replied. Even he seemed hurt. "What happened??"

"She got hit by a car..." I replied, telling him what I knew, "and d-d-died..." I cried harder as Ken stared off into space, unconsciously patting my back in comfort.

After school, Kevin was walking me home.

"Will you be okay?" he asked, breaking the long silence.

"No. Never." I said truthfully. "But...I'll manage."

"Well, I'm across the street whenever you need me, okay?"

"Oh, so now you care," I said before walking away angrily. It might be dramatic, but he's the dramatic one. I just wanted to be a nice friend and surprise him here, and all he's done since I've gotten here was beat me up about it.