Into the Flames {Station 19 x you}

fifty-seven: new faces

{Two weeks later}

     Music plays loudly through the classroom. Everybody jumps and the lights come on. "I hope y'all were paying attention because now you all get an assignment!" The teacher shouts. A bunch of groans escape into the room. I sit up straight, rubbing at my eyes. The papers begin to get passed out. I started going back to regular classes this morning. The counselor thought it'd be a good idea. Andy thought I was ready. I didn't care. School sucks. 

    "Hey, just do what you can with the questions," the teacher whispers to me setting down the assignment. I say nothing just simply nod. My eyes scan over the questions. They were easy questions for the most part. I actually was paying attention despite my head being down. But all day today, all the teachers were saying don't worry about certain projects. Or the constant checking ins. This last period was going so slow too. I was ready to get out of here. For plenty of reasons. One, I'm done being treated like I'm going to break at the slightest inconvenience. I'm not going to break but with everybody acting like I'm a little kid is making me think otherwise. That or I'm going to punch somebody. High chance. But then in the back of my head I know if I did that I'd have to deal with Andy. I don't want that either. 

     The bell rings loudly causing everyone to quickly pack their stuff up. "We'll work on this tomorrow! Will be due at the end of class tomorrow!" The teacher yells before anyone are out the door. But nobody responds to him. I slide the paper into my bag and my pen, zipping it up then swinging it over my shoulder. I grip onto it and follow the flow of my fellow peers out into the sea of them in the halls. Everyone trying to get out of here or get to clubs or sports. Me personally, just want to dip. 

    A fresh cool breeze hits me as soon as I exit the front school building. It feels refreshing on my face especially when all the cluster of kids breaks up and there's more room. Nobody's crammed up together. It's freeing. 

    "Hey!" A voice says wrapping their arm around my forearm. I turn my head and lock eyes with Nova May James. 

    "Hey Nova," I say as we walk. 

   "Why so blue, doll?" She asks. Her smile staying but she puts out her lip like she's pouting. I roll my eyes and shrug her off of my arm, gripping tighter onto my bookbag strap. I look away from her dark chocolate brown eyes and to the concrete ground. "Okay I know my hair is actually blue, but you look pissed the fuck off. What's wrong?" She grabs my arm stopping me. I turn and face her. Our eyes meet and she's tilting her head to the side. Her brown eyes shifting back and forth between mine. My eyes notice the dark blue in her curly hair. Her light olive skin glowing as always even in the overcast of the day. 

    "Everyone's treating me like I'm a ticking time bomb," I respond, tossing my hands up then throwing them down. Nova chuckles. 

     "Because they don't know you. Babes you went through hell and you're quiet. Of course they're going to treat you like a ticking time bomb," Nova says. She shrugs. "Tell you what? Come to Nate's party tonight. I'll help you take your mind off of things." 

    "Another party?" I say and Nova smiles wildly. Her teeth perfectly straight and white as she nods her head. 

    "Yep!" She pops the p as she says it. She reaches forward and grabs my upper arm, squeezing it. "There's also one tomorrow that you have no choice but to go to. It's the biggest party of the year and I got us on the list." 

    I shake my head. "Nova-" 

   "Just trust me. You'll have fun! It'll get your mind off of things!" 

   "I know it will but-" 

    "I'm not taking no for an answer Y/n. You're coming with. I'll have Rustyn stop by the fire station to pick you up since you won't let your mom see me-" Nova's hands go up into the air all defensively. Healing cut marks are barely seeable on her forearms, but I know she doesn't care who sees them. For the week I've known her, she's proud of the marks on her body. "Funny how she trusts Rustyn. Boy, I wouldn't even trust my cat with him. But whatever. Be ready by 8:30."