𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉

[Chapter 19] I'm a Threat Again

"All students please report to the auditorium directly after your next class for a special announcement from Principal Kinderman." The familiar feminine voice of Vice Principal Hayes crackles over the P.A. and is followed by a chorus of approval from the students in the hallway around me, probably because it's less time they have to spend in their classes.
I, however, let out a sigh.
An announcement in the auditorium sounds more like time for me to be alone with my thoughts and that is not what I want right now.
Next class is Science, which always keeps my attention thankfully.
I don't want to think, I don't want to feel, I don't want anything.
The walk to class is also spent occupying my brain with other things. The color of the walls, how many tiles I'm stepping over—anything to fill my brain.
Class goes the same way.
Eyes glued the whiteboard. Eyes glued to my workbook. Eyes glued to the back of the head of the guy in front of me.
Anything.
After class is more of the same. I make the trek to the spacious auditorium, thinking back to Orientation.
Dakota's not gonna be my seat partner this time though, thanks to Jack. She had her lunch with him elsewhere and then just decided not to show back up for the rest of her classes.
Eventually I find an inconspicuous spot in the audience off to the right of the stage in an empty row and wrap my arms around myself.
I make a mental note to focus as hard as I can on what Principal Kinderman is saying. Even if it's boring and threatens to put me to sleep.
After a few minutes of examining the folds in the auditorium curtains and then counting as many seats in the rows in front of me as I can, the lights finally dim and Principal Kinderman walks across the stage to the podium, followed by Vice Principal Hayes.
"Good afternoon, students." Principal Kinderman's voice booms throughout the auditorium as he leans over to speak into the microphone. "I apologize for pulling you all away from your studies, I know how dedicated you all are to your work and I would never seek to disturb that."
A couple snickers go up from the row behind me but I keep my focus on the principal, feeling distracted at least for now.
"However, it has come to the attention of faculty members here at Hemingway Academy that our beloved school has become a breeding ground for some less than savory activities."
"Psst."
I jump slightly, having had this entire row to myself. "What the—"
"Surprise," a voice whispers from the seat to my right and I raise my eyebrows.
Of course it has to be him.
Even in the dim lighting of the auditorium. I recognize the voice, the dazzling smile and the need to be irritatingly close to me.
I push his arm off of my arm rest and scowl. "Why are you sitting here?"
He shrugs his shoulders. "Where else am I supposed to sit?"
"With your girlfriend?" I suggest sourly.
"She's not my—"
"I don't care," I interrupt, not wanting this kind of distraction. "Please go away."
"Why can't I sit next to you?"
I roll my eyes. "Because—"
"Here's an idea, how about both of you keep it down or move." Some girl from the row behind us butts into the conversation and Harry turns in his seat to look behind us. "You've been on your phone, not even listening literally this whole time. So here's an idea—chill."
I hear her scoff causing me to sink in my seat out of embarrassment.
Harry turns back to face me and I discreetly swat his shoulder.
"What the heck?" he whispers loudly, making a dramatic show of holding his upper arm.
I lean forward and lower my voice so the girl behind us can't hear. "If you're gonna sit here, at least be quiet and pay attention, please."
"So, you want me to stay," he states confidently and I decide to just ignore him, refocusing on Principal Kinderman's monologue.
"...if you see something, say something. We will be working very closely with law enforcement in the coming months to determine the source of these narcotics and bring the guilty parties to justice..."
My eyebrows shoot up, turning to see Dakota's reaction but then remembering it's Harry sitting beside me.
"Whoa, what?" Harry surprisingly doesn't disappoint and offers me a shocked face. "Narcotics?"
I shrug, just as surprised. "I have no clue, this is the first I've heard about it."
"Preppy Hemingway Academy is waging the war on drugs." He nods some. "Kind of badass."
I can't help but laugh some and the corner of Harry's mouth inches up into a smile.
"What?" I'm immediately serious again and he shrugs. "Nothing."
"What?" I press and he tilts his head, studying my face. "I'm just thinking."
"About?" I question, slightly less ready for the answer this time.
"Remember when I said one day I wanted to make you laugh, like for real?"
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, wishing it would just swallow me whole. "Maybe."
"Well, now." He lowers his voice as he leans in
and I blink. "I want to hear that laugh all the time."
I stare at him, at a loss for words and he just holds my gaze, not at all phased by the outrageous statement he just made.
"How does that make you feel, Knockout?" he asks under his breath.
I press my lips together and his eyes follow. "You know what I think? I think you're scared."
I snap out of my momentary stupor, eyes narrowing. "Shut up."
"You are. Scared to admit you like me, aren't you?"
I laugh sharply. "You are so conceited, it's unbelievable. Have you ever thought maybe it's possible for a girl to not be interested in you?"
"Oh, it's possible." He doesn't disagree. "But not you."
"Why?" I decide to ask, wondering what it'll take to finally get it through his skull that I want nothing to do with him. "Why me? Why does it matter to you so much that I like you?"
He pauses, blue eyes rapidly detailing my face. "I don't really know."
I shake my head, turning to face the stage again. "Right. Because it's not actually about me. It's about you and your need to conquer a challenge."
"You're not a challenge."
I don't answer.
"Hey."
His hand suddenly rests over mine and my eyes flick down, watching it happen.
"I mean that."
I sneak a sideways glance, seeing him looking at me intently.
"Kelly."
The lights suddenly turn on in the auditorium, bringing to my attention the fact that the special announcement is now over.
I waste no time, standing to my feet and Harry does the same.
I start walking away, determined to get away but unfortunately, he follows.
"Kelly, wait."
That's when it happens.
It's not real, I know it's not but somehow, right now, it is.
A hand slides over my upper arm, gently attempting to stop me but all I feel is an aggressive pull into a memory I don't want to remember.
Backwards into a closet, up against the wall, shaking.
The second part of the memory Hunter and I share. The part I've been avoiding since the first half resurfaced yesterday.
The part I've spent all day desperately trying not to think about.
Suppressed tears spring into my eyes as a shaky gasp escapes my throat.
"Kelly? Are you okay?"
Harry's concern reaches my ears, bringing me back to the present.
"I'm fine," I insist hastily, yanking my arm away from him with more force than necessary.
I swipe at my eyes, sneaking a panicked look around to ensure no one's seeing me.
"No, you're not," Harry disagrees, coming around to stand in front of me. "What—"
His face freezes when he looks at me and I turn away, only feeling more and more embarrassed by the second. "Yes I am. Please move."
I try to keep my voice from quivering but it's no use.
"What's wrong?" He tilts his head, trying to look at me and I just turn further away. "Nothing. Please move."
"This is obviously not nothing. Did I do something?"
"No, just—" I push my arms out in front of me, trying to keep him away from me. "Please leave me alone."
"Kelly—"
When that doesn't work, I push past him, willing the rest of the tears burning the corners of my eyes to stay back.
I keep walking, speeding towards the nearest exit.
Only when I'm safely out the auditorium and in an empty hallway do I feel like I can finally check behind me.
Harry's nowhere to be seen.
I take in a deep gulp of air, feeling small and exposed as I lean against the row of lockers to my right.
Calm down, Kelly. It's fine, it's fine.
My attempts to self-regulate are met with myself spiraling further as I close my eyes and try to focus.
"Now, let's make yours match mine, alright? Deep breaths."
Lake's voice appears in my head causing me to lift a shaking hand to my own chest.
"One...two...three..." My lips tremble as the numbers leave my mouth until I finally feel the anxiety start to subside.
"Everything okay, Blake?"
I slowly look up to see Amber standing in front of me and weakly push myself off of the lockers. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"For now." She blocks my path and folds her arms over her stomach.
My eyebrows shoot up. "I'm sorry?"
"Just what do you think you're trying to do?" she asks, tilting her head to the side.
"What are you talking about? I'm not 'trying to do' anything," I inform her and she laughs shortly. "Cut the crap, I saw you."
"Saw me what?"
Having a breakdown?
"With my man, you little ho," Amber sneers, jabbing an accusing finger at me and I scoff. "Amber, I want nothing to do with your man. You can have him."
"Oh, I already do. And I'm keeping him. So keep your little daddy issue hands away from Harry." She glares at me and I can't help but shake my head. "Tell him, not me. He's the one making moves on me, not the other way around."
"I don't give two shits what you think is going on. I know what I saw," she states, stepping closer to me and I take a hesitant step backwards. "And I've got the pictures to prove it."
Pictures? This is me and Lake at the Mexican restaurant all over again.
"Amber, that's not—"
She holds up a manicured hand. "Save it. If I ever see you that close to him ever again—you're gonna pay, Callie."
My jaw drops open as she roughly shoulder checks me before strutting off down the hallway.
We're back to Callie.
I'm a threat again.