What's the Worst That Could Happen? - Awareness Story

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐

     Esme walked down the halls, seeing that she really had made it just in time as every student around her began walking to class. Her first class was social studies. Great. Most students loved it, she felt neutral about it. She just knew she certainly wasn't going to enjoy it this early in the morning. Clutching her bag more and letting out another yawn, she turned around a few corners in the building and made it just in time inside the classroom. She was the last one to enter.

"Early once again, Esme." Ms. Femke greeted. Her sarcasm had really helped Esme adapt and begin liking the class, even if it was just a little.

"What can I say? "I like to keep everyone in suspense. Keeps things interesting." Esme retorted. As she made her way to the second to last row of desks inside the classroom which is where her seat was, she frowned upon noticing that the desk next to hers was empty.

"Evan?" she turned around to ask one of the boys in her class, who was currently too indulged in showing off his new Adidas shoes to the others.

"What's up?" he asked nonchalantly, not even really facing her.

"Do you know where Millie's at? Is she here today?"

He shrugged.

"Dunno. I remember seeing her come in, but I don't know where she went."

Esme slowly nodded and sat down, adjusting her bag on the floor before burying her face in her arms that were now crossed on her desk. She exhaled, trying to shut out the noise of Ms. Femke shouting to get everyone else to settle down. She stayed like that for a while, but she perked up and raised her head the instant she heard the classroom door open. And there she was. Millie walked in with her usual deadpan expression, wearing her headphones, her phone shoved inside her back pocket. Esme did not bother standing up, instead sitting up straight in her seat.

"Good morning nimrod." Millie mused, giving Esme a light slap on the back of her head as she passed behind her to sit down at her desk.

"Morning. The slap was unnecessary." she retorted, rubbing the back of her head a little.

"It's to wake your brain cells up. I'm just being a good best friend." Millie shrugged, now whispering as to not let Ms. Femke hear them.

"Foolish of you to think I have brain cells to wake up." Esme scoffed. She propped her elbow up on the desk, resting her chin on her palm as she faced Millie.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine. What about you?"

"No, I mean... Really. How are things?" Esme raised an eyebrow, looking at Millie expectantly.

"As in- in the house?"

Esme nodded. Millie took a deep breath, glancing around for a moment before she replied.

"It's all the same. Everyone else is doing good- Gabriel is still a jerk, like always."

"Did he get upset when you stayed later than you were supposed to at my place yesterday?"

"You know it." Millie said with a small nod.

"At least I hope things didn't get too bad?"

"They did." Millie scoffed, "But it's fine. I can manage by now. That's what living with an overprotective older brother will do to you."

"It's gone beyond that. At least this is the final year you'll have to spend with him." Esme replied, giving Millie an apologetic smile.

"Mhm. And then... Germany." Millie exhaled, smiling.

"I'm still surprised you chose Germany to go to for university. Like... England or Egypt would be better for you in my eyes since you've lived there and you come from both countries." Esme chuckled.

"Please. I spent most of my childhood in Egypt, and I don't really want to return to London."

"...Still, why Germany?"

"I found a university I really like and I can study architecture there. Not that hard to figure out." Millie shrugged and so did Esme after her.

"Told you. No brain cells." Esme mumbled.

"And that's your record!" suddenly Ms. Femke spoke up, louder, "15 minutes. The maximum you can stay quiet in my class is 15 minutes. Let's see if we can make it 20, huh?"

Esme rolled her eyes a little at that.

"Sure. Because learning about the different ecosystems again, like I don't already know what they are, is such a good use of my time." she mumbled quietly, just now opening her notebook.

"It's nostalgic, isn't it? Feels like we're back in grade 8." Millie added teasingly.

"6."

"What?"

"Grade 6. We were taught ecosystems in grade 6." Esme corrected, and then both of them went quiet after Ms. Femke gave them a small glare.

     The entire class was half asleep. Millie's eyes were locked on the clock on the wall, while Esme was drawing random doodles in her notebook. Some guys were passing notes to each other and laughing 'quietly', and a very, very small percentage of the class was actually focused.

"...And that's the bell. Get out of here." Ms. Femke said with a smirk as soon as the bell rang.

The silence turned into chaos as soon as those words left her mouth. The students started speaking loudly and laughing while hastily packing their things and taking out their phones.

"Hey, uh-" Millie spoke a little awkwardly which was unlike her while facing Esme, "I'll go hang out with Ally and Zora today, if you don't mind. You can come along, I just know you prefer spending time outside with me most days rather than with new people."

"It's fine." Esme said as she zipped her bag, raising an eyebrow at Millie, "How come you're hanging out with them today though? You don't really know them." she shrugged.

"Yeah. Um." Millie hesitated for a second. "There was an incident that you missed last Friday during PHE when you were in the changing rooms."

"Oh?"

"A group of people saw Zora sitting alone on the bench. Naturally, like the mature 18 year olds they are, they started mocking her. Telling her she has no friends and that it's because she has darker skin, that people are disgusted of her and she speaks funny."

Esme's jaw dropped.

"You're joking."

"I wish I was. Me and Ally saw what was going on, so we stood up for her. Zora thanked us and told us she felt safer with us around, so we told her she can hang out with us anytime she wants to." Millie explained.

"See, it's times like these that I'm proud to have you as my best friend." Esme smiled, "That's so considerate and nice of you and Ally."

"Thanks." Millie returned the smile, "I know it's not easy for you interacting with new people, but it's not easy for Zora either. And I'm sure she would appreciate it if you came and hung out with us. Even if it's just for today. Please?"

Esme hesitated for a few seconds. She felt extremely awkward having to get to know people she barely ever talked to. However, in this situation it would make Millie happy. And Zora too.

"Alright." she agreed. "But you're doing the introductions."

"Deal." Millie grinned, and then pulled Esme in for a hug.