Open Floor

OF - Chapter 6

Unedited chapter

Chapter 6

"Guys, I gotta use the restroom," I told Leroy and April stopping by the gymnasium doors. A few people bumped on us and we earned a few "what the hell?" and "hey!" as they did.

"I'll come with you," April suggested.

"No, you'll be late."

"Then what does that make you?"

"I can handle it. I just... It's an emergency," I said instantly feeling my face burn from embarrassment. Restroom emergencies are embarrassing and I just said that out loud. Ugh.

"Say no more. We'll just inform Mr. Peyton," Leroy said before he lead April inside the gym while April sent me a worried look.

I then turned and went to the other direction in a hurry but when I turned by the corner I slowed down a bit catching my breath then I leaned on the wall. The sudden ringing of the school bell above me signaling the start of 4th period made me jump. I noticed the now empty hallway and I have the feeling that something new is coming my way. Good or bad, I always hated this kind of feeling.

I went to the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror. What was wrong with me? I'm being a coward having to make up excuses just to get out of the weird feeling I'm having. This is me being immature right now.

Telly Carter, you are a Senior student. I thought to myself. Stop being so immature and go back to class. I shook my head. I checked my watch and 10 minutes have already passed. I'm going to be in so much trouble. This could be considered cutting!

I dropped my head to my hands and looked up at the mirror again. This is stupid.

"Telly?" A familiar voice from the hallway suddenly rang my senses. April's high pitch voice disturbed the dead silence.

"I-I'm here," I called back loud enough for her to hear me from wherever she was while I hurriedly splashed my face with water and wiped it off my face with just my hands.

"Are you okay in there? What happened?" she asked as she entered the restroom in where I was.

I looked back at her through the mirror.

"You look horrible!"

Narrowing my eyes, "Thanks," was all I could say.

"Do you mind telling me what's up with you today?" She asked handing me her hanky.

I took it from her and used it to wipe my face dry. "I'm having PMS," I lied.

She just smirked and took my grooming kit out of my bag. "It'll pass," she helped me fix myself and before you know it, I looked and smelled as fresh as a daisy.

She talked a lot on our way back to the gym and she even mentioned the "new guy" being in the same class as we were so she got all jumpy again and I had to calm her before we entered.

When we got in, everyone was at their own games. Some used balls, some used rackets, and some used nothing at all. They just chased each other around the gym and Mr. Peyton was nowhere in sight.

The first person we went around looking for was Leroy, and when we spotted him from a distance, both April and I froze dead on our tracks.

I didn't know whether to be happy or to feel hurt at the sight of him. He wore the same PE uniform as the guys in the gym. He had a smirk on his face while talking to Leroy on the bleachers, he would run a hand through his golden brown hair from time to time and Leroy would even land a playful punch on his arm while they laughed together loud enough for April and I to hear from where we were standing.