Playing A Love game with Mrs.Player

Chapter 26: Back To School

I walked slowly through the hallway with my two best friends hooked tightly at my side. They seemed to think that if they let go I would be taken again.

“Guys, loosen the grip. You’re cutting off circulation in my arms.” I said laughing. They looked at me and smiled.

“Sorry.” They said quietly before loosening their grip. Loosening, not letting go. Aye, it was the best I was going to get. I felt the stares of my fellow classmate and her the soft whispers as I passed them in the halls. I really hated being the center of attention. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to my best friends.

“These people are looking at me like they are expecting a break down.” I said finally reaching my locker.

“Of course they do, you just got out of the hospital after being taken and the first Monday after you are back to school.” Mel said.

“Of course I’m going to be back! I’ve been gone for a month. I could’ve lost my place as class valedictorian for the amount of time I missed.” I said opening my locker and getting my books.

“Maybe being class Valedictorian isn’t everything. Maybe you should’ve waited a little longer before coming back to school. Everyone’s probably staring because you’re acting like nothing happened.” Jess said crossing her arms.

“Being class Valedictorian is everything to me! I have worked my ass of since my freshman year to make it happen and I’m not letting some crazy bitch who couldn’t get Devin come and ruin that for me. If I waited any longer I probably would have never gone back to school! I have goals! I’m going to be class Valedictorian, I’m going to go to NYU and I’m going to be a lawyer. That’s final. And who cares why everyone is staring? I don’t. And maybe I’m acting like nothing happened because I’m the only person here that actually doesn’t fucking care anymore and wants to move on. If you guys want to dwell on the past that’s your problem, not mine.” I said before closing my locker and walking to my first class. I didn’t even pay any attention to the stares coming from everyone. I kept reading my book and eating my apple. As I reached my class I threw away my apple before walking in. Mr. Williams has a serious no eating in class policy, other than that he’s a cool teacher. I walked in to be greeted by a smiling teacher. It’s not a shock because Mr. Williams is always smiling.

“Ah, Danielle. It’s good to have you back.” Mr. Williams said getting up from behind his desk.

“It’s good to be back sir. I have all my make up work.” I said handing him the pile of math work I had stacked up.

“You do know you had a while to make up that work?” He asked. “You didn’t need to rush.” He added.

“I know, but I knew I could finish it so I did. Why waste my time finishing it later when I could get it done and turn it in now?” I asked smiling.

“That’s what I like to hear. And again, it’s good to have you back.” He said smiling. I walked to my seat in the back and placed my bag on the ground next to me. Mr. Williams turned on the T.V. for our morning announcements. Devin’s smiling face popped up on the screen.

“Good morning fellow students. Devin Hall here giving you your morning announcements. For those athletes out there, Football conditioning starts next week Monday after school on the field. Come out and get prepped for the upcoming tryouts. Where there are football players, there are cheerleaders. Cheerleading tryouts are also next week Monday after school in the gym. Let’s remember cheerleaders are athletes too. Ok, Prom’s coming up for all you seniors out there. Prom court voting starts this Friday and goes all the way until the Friday before Prom. So make sure you get out there and vote. Also, for the seniors, don’t forget to pick up your cap and gowns in room 215 and drop off your baby pictures in room 318. For all you procrastinators out there late college admission is now open, so go apply for college, now! A list of summer jobs, camps, and internships are in the front office, so if you are interested just drop by. That’s it for the morning announcement, see you later for the afternoon announcements have a great day!” His smiling face was disconnected off the T.V. I noticed a couple of eyes moving back and forth between the T.V. and me. They were probably wondering how Devin and I could be so happy and normal right now. It’s abnormal to be this normal, to pretend like non of this never even happened. I guess it’s because we wish it didn’t happen and the only way we can cope with this is by going back to our normal routines and pretend like nothing changed. When in reality everything changed.