One Clue Behind

Chapter Five

 Of course, it's Monday again. My least favorite day of the week. I sling my bag over my shoulder as I step out of my room, locking the door behind me. Other girls around me are stepping out of their rooms, some are tying their hair up in ribbons and elastics and some are rubbing their eyes, tired from staying up too late completing homework at the last minute. I straighten out my Academy issued plaid skirt and start on towards my first period.

Literary Studies is my second favorite class this year. First favorite is my free period in which I get to work on submissions for the creative writing journal. As I walk in, I find Courtney already at our desks. I make my way over to her and smile at our instructor, Ms. Vance, she nods to me, a smile on her young face. Ms. Vance is the youngest teacher at Briarcliffe, we think she's in her mid-twenties and half of the boys drool over her. Ms. Vance, or Breanna Vance, is tall and slender with glowing caramel skin. Of course the boys in her classes hoot and holler at her. Even Tony has admitted to crushing on her.

I reach my seat in front of Courtney's and sit down, plopping my bag on my desk and laying my head on top of it. Courtney pokes my arm softly and I sit back up and turn to face her.

"Did you get last week's homework done?" she asks and I give her a small "Yup," and she nods. "I had to do it last night, I was busy on Saturday." she explains and my eyebrow goes up in question.

"What did you do on Saturday?" I ask, "Did you go see someone?" Courtney nods, her cheeks turning a faint pink.

"Who?!" I ask excitedly. I'm happy to have a good, genuinely happy moment in the wake of my grief.

"I can't say, but I will tell you that it's helping after... you know," She says still blushing, but her smile falters for a moment. I rub her shoulder.

"Did you at least get to stay the night?" I ask, thinking about the new curfew and early morning hall monitors.

"No, but I did manage to stay a few hours after curfew." Court says and her smile returns, her eyes glisten.

I grin too. Courtney has had a pretty short track record of relationships and has always stayed quiet about them. It feels like a blessing to have her so giddy and excited about someone. "I'm happy for you, Court." And I mean it.

I look up at the clock above the door and we still have about five minutes before the final bell that hurries us to class on time. Just as I go to turn away from the clock, my new friend Danny walks in. His clothes are neat and his dirty blond hair is damp like he just got out of a quick early morning shower. He scratches his neck looking at what empty seats are left before the rest of the class files in. I wave my hand in the air and smile, he notices and relief floods his face. His shoulders tumble back down like a millions pounds of tension and anxiety are instantly gone. He hurries over to our desks and sits next to me, in Jeremiah's desk. Jeremiah and Tony are usually late anyways, so it doesn't matter.

"Hey, morning, Ali." He says, using my nickname. He looks up behind me, facing Courtney. "Hi, I'm Danny, Allison's new friend." he smiles, a dimple pokes into one cheek.

"Hi, I'm Courtney. Allison's best friend." Courtney extends a hand playfully. Danny takes her hand and lightly shakes it. "Oh, come on, man! I'm sure you have a better grip than that!" She teases him.

Danny blushes and grips her hand harder, the skin on Courtney's hand starts to turn white. "Well damn, Danny. You have one helluva grip!" Courtney exclaims, sounding just like a dad. Danny laughs quietly and runs his hand through his blond hair.

"Okay, okay, guys. Great introductions." I laugh with them and they laugh with me.

The final bell rings just as a few more students trickle into the classroom. After another minute, Jeremiah and Tony walk in and head for us, their seats next to ours. Tony sits behind Danny and looks at Danny, to me, and then to Jeremiah. Tony's shoulders hunch up in question and Jeremiah shakes his head, picking the desk behind Courtney.