T is for Trauma (Book 1)

Chapter Three: Tuesday January 25

Today has been fucking miserable. Here we are in seventh period and I’m still single. Chris Collingwood walked up on Josh and I kissing and he assumed we were together, so he jumped into a relationship with Ashanti. Josh spent the morning making out with me then when the bell rang to go to first, he ran off and got in a relationship with Soleil. Josh’s actions pissed me off, but Chris’s I could understand.

At lunch Chris found me crying and we talked. He wants us to start back up the fling we ended ten months ago even with him being with Ashanti. The only reason I’m agreeing to it is because I am in love with him and he’s the only man anymore that makes me feel alive. Even with Josh last night I was just going through the motions and lying there for him to get off. I don’t want to feel like that anymore but I’m pretty positive I’m going to feel that way with whoever I end up with. It really fucking sucks to be in love with a man you can’t actually be with.

The bell finally rang, and I let out a sigh of relief. I really should have just stayed home today like Mr. Jason suggested! But no, I wanted to see Christopher Collingwood. I hate myself. Once I got all my stuff put away, I left class, wanting to be alone. To my misfortune Lindsey, TJ, Trevor, Mallory, and Mary caught up to me. I don’t mind the boys, but I wish the girls would leave me alone. I hate Mallory most of all, she’s seven months pregnant and we’re all sure the baby belongs to Josh. She claims she doesn’t know who the father is, but Josh has gotten her pregnant before on two separate occasions. Her mom had her abort those two though because of her age. Mallory is fifteen and will be sixteen in May. Her mom is paranoid children services will be called for the number of abortions, so she’s letting her have this one.

“What’s everyone doing this afternoon?” Mary asked, breaking the silence.

“Probably unpack. I got in late last night and haven’t had the chance.” I replied.

“The only reason you didn’t have the chance is because you and Josh went into your room and started fucking.” Lindsey replied sarcastically.

“Shut the fuck up Lindsey and stay out of my sex life.” I snapped back.

Lindsey let out an unnecessary sigh and I rolled my eyes. As we were walking, we crossed paths with Mr. Bridges. He was our Algebra teacher last year and is my Geometry tutor this year. He and I have been friends since my seventh-grade year, he’s an uncle to our friend Kelly and when I was hanging out with her back then, I formed a friendship with him.

“Do you guys mind if I steal Allyson for a moment?” He asked.

“That’s fine. I’ll see you at the car Ally.” Lindsey replied.

I waved goodbye to everyone, and Mr. Bridges led me to where we were out of student earshot. When we were away from everyone, I got nervous. I looked at him curiously, waiting for him to speak.

“What’s up?” I asked after a moment of silence.

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked nervous. “Not much. Um. Do you have any plans tonight?”

“Not currently. Why?”

“Do you want to come over? We haven’t gotten to hang out in a while.”

“Sure.”

I don’t think I’ve hung out at his house since middle school. When he became a teacher, things changed. Plus, he got into a relationship with another teacher, and they ended up having a child together. Odd thing, they made me the Godmother. They just recently split up so maybe that’s why he’s asking me to hang out. It beats sitting at home moping over Christopher Collingwood.

After another moment of silence, I looked in the direction of the student parking lot. “I’m going to drop my crew off then head over.”

He smiled. “Yes ma’am.”