The Bad Boy Returns

Chapter 24: Ignorance Is A Killer

SHANE'S POV

"Shane! What are you doing here?" I see Kat give a confused look before she gives me a surprise hug. I return the hug glad she doesn't completely loathe me. Ever since this whole incident with the hospital and panic attack I felt really different. I felt embarrassed that Kat saw me like that. I don't think anyone has seen me like that. I ended up avoiding her the whole time after that. I felt like a complete ass by the end of the week when it seemed like she gave up on visiting me. I guess I got what I wanted, but it didn't help like I thought it would.
"They released me on Friday. They said the rest of the healing could be done from home and I didn't need medical attention anymore." I answer pulling away from the hug.
"Personally I'm glad. I couldn't stand that place." I look down at her face. She's got a look  that I can't place. She seems happy but mad at the same time.
"I'm glad you're back. I-I mean you know everyone is." She stumbles over her words looking down at the floor. I raise an eyebrow at her.
"Yeah I'm sure they're all ecstatic." I chuckle darkly.
The bell rings indicating first period and everybody starts heading to their class.
"I gotta go." I try to leave as quickly as possible. I can't help how I'm feeling. Avoiding her is the only solution I could think of and now things feel awkward. I prepare myself for the halls of high school. I know people don't like me. Hell, I made them not like me. So coming back is going to be a nightmare. There is definitely going to be staring. I mean I have a bruised eye and cheek, and there are injuries all over my body. Not to mention I split my lip. I put on an unamused face and head in. Immediately the chaotic and loud hallway drops dead silent. I swear I could hear my own heart beating. I falter before gaining my composure and look to see all the eyes glued on me. Kids are whispering to each other and pointing my way. I continue down the hall getting more irritated by the second.
"I heard he killed someone."
"Well I heard he assaulted a police officer."
"Apparently he overdosed on drugs after losing his match."

I snap by the time I reach the end of the hall and turn to address their stupidity.
"Don't worry guys there's a police on me 24/7 and besides I only kill people when I'm overdosing!" I smile sarcastically glaring at each of the people I heard talking about me. If that's what they want to believe then that's what I'll give them. I stand there silently for a minute before mockingly lurching forward causing them to gasp. I turn around chuckling darkly before walking away to my first period.
"Mr. Winters may I speak to you a moment." I turn and see Ms Sanchez calling me over giving me a discernible look. I groan, dragging myself over to her.
"Look Shane I understand you had to deal with a lot in your situation but disrupting students with your anger is unacceptable." She gives me a dissatisfied look. I look at her with a bored expression.
"Look I'm not in a very good mood right now so why don't I head to class and you won't hear from me again." I say in a patronizing tone. I can't help it I feel like everyone is blaming me for this when it wasn't my fault. I walk away before she has a chance to answer back. I open the door to my classroom and am instantly met with thirty-six pairs of eyes looking at me.
I see Kat watching me and immediately avoid eye contact, heading for the back of the class instead of my usual seat beside her. I see her shoulders slump slightly as I sit down. Once I sit down kids in front of me grab their bags and purses and pull them closer to themselves. I roll my eyes before I look away.The teacher continues the lesson as I zone out feeling too exhausted to learn. I don't know why I let my mom convince me that coming to school today was a good idea. I should've stayed home.

I sneak a look at Kat noticing that she is fidgeting a lot. She keeps looking around quickly like she's scared of something. I narrow my eyes and continue watching her. She looks nervous. Her long hair bouncing every time she moves her head to either side. Right in front of her I see Brit looking at her and then to Nate. Then I look at Nate and notice him looking back and forth between each girl. I scrunch my face in confusion looking at each of them.
What are they doing?
After what felt like hours the bell rings ending first period and I sigh running out of the classroom.
I stride across the hall not paying attention to anyone. I keep going until I bump into Nate. He has a smirk playing on his lips as he stares me down. I internally compose myself before narrowing my eyes at him.
"So you got your ass kicked." He chuckles poking my bruised eye. I can tell he's enjoying my pain.
"Well that's not exactly how it went down." I say, vaguely.
"Keep telling yourself that. Maybe if you act like nothing can hurt you your little toy might not notice that you're playing her." He sneers continuing. "I guess best friends think alike huh?"
I stiffen at the mention of him and Kat. I clench my jaw and step closer to him.