The Label Maker

CHAPTER ELEVEN: COVER UP

Gwen didn't want to raise suspicion. She didn't want to cause controversy. As soon as she got home she went straight to her own laptop and logged on to justbloggit as fast as she could. Her own notifications were blowing up. The website was really slow because of it. To make sure everything stayed under control she posted another blog. After that, she went to bed. She didn't want to deal with her blog. It was overwhelming. It was surprising. She didn't know what to think about it, but to not think about it at all.

The next morning she awoke slowly. She didn't sleep well. She was tossing and turning all night due to the multiple nightmares her blog was creating her for. She dreamed of everyone finding out and hating her. She dreamed of her blog being shut down. She dreamed of where her blog got shut down and then everyone found out who she was. They were repetitive and horrifying for in every one everyone ended up hating her. She showered before school in hopes of ridding herself of sweat. She dressed comfortably. Leggings and a long sleeve shirt. She put her wet hair up into a bun. The heat didn't bother her. Normally it never did. She was too tired to drive herself to school, so she asked Farrell do it. It seemed that her parents weren't home. She was just going to hitch a ride with Gwen on the way home anyways. The drive to school was a silent one. Gwen could tell that her brother wanted to say something to her. She figured the only way she was going to find out was by asking what was on his mind.

"If you have something to say tell me," Gwen says, breaking the silence, continuing to look out the window.

"I can't help but notice you haven't been getting a lot of sleep these past few days," he admits. She looked at him, but his returning glance prevented her from saying anything. "I can hear you moving around late at night. I can hear your footsteps when you walk to the bathroom. I can hear the sink water run. Want to tell me what is going on?" He asks, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. The radio was not on. There was nothing to drown out the inevitable silence.

"I just, I don't know. Homework has been getting harder. And I guess it just takes me more time to do it," Gwen lies. She didn't want to lie, but she couldn't risk telling anyone the truth. Not even Emma.

"Well, just make sure you get enough sleep. It's important. You know that," he reminds.

"I know," she confirms. The rest of the car ride was silent. Gwen knew her brother didn't believe her story 100%. But he let it slide... For now. Farrell dropped her off at the main doors. As fast as he rolled in, he raced out. She walked into school, hugging herself. Despite the heat, she was cold. She thought it was just jitters of what the day was going to bring. But she didn't know what the day was going to bring and that made her jitter more. She went straight to class not needing to go to her locker for any books or to drop any off. She passed Leo at his locker and decided to stop over.

"Hey," she greets, leaning against the locker next to his.

"Hey!" He greets, shutting his locker after he gathered everything. Once he saw Gwen's appearance, she couldn't tell if he wanted to make fun of her or compliment her. His expression was giving Gwen mixed feelings.

"You look-" He was at a loss for words.

"Horrible, I know," she finishes, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear so she wouldn't eat it. Leo was waiting for an explanation, so she gave it to him. "I didn't get a lot of sleep last night."

"What? Is nine past your bedtime?" He teases.

"Well if you must know, I try to go to bed at 8:30," she informs matter-of-factly.

"Well someone call the police. We have a rule breaker at Riverbrook!" he explains, grinning ear to ear.

"Oh stop it," she says, hitting his arm lightly. A bell rang, filling the halls with the shuffling of feet and loud voices.