Together Forever

Chapter Ten

RACHEL
Fear. Fear everywhere. My hands were clammy as I got into my mother's car. I ignored her for as long as I realised what was wrong with me. She begged for me to talk to her, but how could she lie about my health? She might as well be telling someone to kill me behind my back.
I waited in the car, staring out the window for my mom to finish whatever the goddamn hell she was doing.
I finally saw her emerge from the door and she strutted to the car, and started the engine. She slammed the door shut.
Behind her sunglasses, I knew there was a waterfall gushing down. I could feel it.
"If you don't feel well, just go straight to the nurse-"Why do you care? You obviously didn't tell me that I was going to die sooner than expected so why bother?" I snapped, mustering a smile while my tears formed. I was frustrated. That my tears had to show up.
"Rachel..." Mom said, shocked. I have never disrespected he. I never had a reason to. But now, I could place her on my nemesis list.
"Don't! Just don't."
I continued to stare out the window. Trees rolled by and people walked to work getting on with their normal lives. But me? I was not normal. I was opposite. I was a sick freak. I belonged home and I didn't deserve this because I was going to die soon.
"Rachel."
I tightened my jaw. "Be quiet."
"Honey..."
"Please."
I let a year roll down my cheek. We parked in the school parking and before Mom could say a thing, I grabbed my backpack and dashed for the entrance. Never was I once happy to see school. Anything but my Mother's face.
Anything at all.
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DIMITRI
I walked into school and saw Tristan and Isabelle chatting near the lockers as they were waiting for the bell to ring. I came earlier than usual. I waved to them and noticed something was wrong when they turned to me with worried expressions.
"What's wrong?" I asked, noticing the small crowd in our group. One person was missing.
"Rachel." Tristan said. Isabelle swallowed hard. She was shaking. What happened to her?
"What happened?" I asked, as my heart rate increased monstrously.
"She's been avoiding us. Crying. Locking herself in the lavatory. I don't know about you but I think she'll miss class too." Tristan explained for Isabelle as she was covering her mouth to stifle her scream.
"Hey, hey. It's alright. I'm sure it's just the time of the month-"Don't go there." Isabelle glared. I shut up. I knew I shouldn't have any ways.
"I'll talk to her next time I see her." I said. I realised my voice was hoarse.
Isabelle's eyes lit up.
"There!" She pointed to a girl sneaking out of the bathroom, obviously not needing any attention. Rachel.
"Rachel!" Isabelle called. Rachel turned and gasped and ran. But I ran after her.
I pushed through crowds, trampled over bags which were randomly thrown across the hallway, and I accidentally kissed a random girl as I bumped into her. Chances of her obsessing over me after this are high.
I finally turned to a left and saw her cornered near the janitor's closet.
"Rachel! Jut stop for a moment! Trust me!" I painted holding out my hand in surrender.
"Dimitri. I'm sorry." Rachel panted as she kicked my guts and ran past me while I doubled over in pain.
"Okay! That is it! I didn't get in trouble all the way for this ending up with you kicking my balls! Not happening!" I cried and ran after her.
But she had disappeared into the crowd. Vanished.
But my eye caught something like a blonde ponytail. Rachel. I didn't call her name. I just ran and when I finally caught up with her, I spun her around, forcefully.
Only to realise that she was the girl I accidentally kissed.
I backed away slowly and saw Rachel (the real Rachel) running to the other side and making a right. I pushed her past me and ran after her. My stomach started to ache deeply. I accelerated and made the right. I saw her stop, exhausted. I finally walked up to her and then made her look at me.
"Dimitri, stop following me!" She panted trying to push me away, but I was stronger. Tears skilled from her face as she gave up fighting.
"Rachel, tell me what's going on!" I hissed. She looked at me with tears.
"But you won't tell a soul." She pleaded. I nodded.
"Well..."
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ISABELLE
I couldn't pay attention in class. All my thoughts travelled in Rachel's direction. She isn't feeling well? No. Family problems maybe? Nope not it.
I just jiggled my right leg until the boy sitting next to me demanded me to stop. What could be wrong with her?
"Isabelle, I'm assuming you know the answer?"
I looked up and saw the Math teacher looking at me with piercing eyes. I was in deep trouble.
"I'm s-sorry, sir." I said, meaning it. My grades have been slipping lately, but that was because I was distracted. With my Mom. She came home last night and I swear I cried for an hour before finally catching up with her. It felt good to have her back. But I wondered, was it so selfish to celebrate the return of your mother when your friend is depressed over something?
"Isabelle Johnson!" The teacher snapped again. I looked up once more and realised ten minutes had passed since I had promised to pay attention.
"Go to the principal's office, now!" She stared daggers at me.
This just wasn't my day.
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TRISTAN
To be honest, I was surprised that Isabelle got sent to the principal's office. She was a quiet girl but with the events which were happening, who could blame her?
I jiggled my leg, staring at the board trying to get used to what the teacher was saying. Do you ever get the feeling when you're so hyper that you can't pay attention? Or too hyper to do anything boring?
I hate the feeling. And I didn't want to get into trouble for this. Luckily, the bell rang and saved me just in time. In the hallways, I spotted Dimitri and Rachel together. If only Rachel could tell me what was bothering her. Dimitri waved at me and immersed himself in a conversation with Rachel once more. I looked away and tried looking for anyone else instead. I searched but no luck. I headed for the cafeteria and sat down in my table where I normally sat and ate in peace. No Isabelle. No Dimitri.
No Rachel.
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ISABELLE
I stared deeply into the principal's sunset eyes. I found warmth and comfort yet respect. All I wanted to do was to break down and state every single issue. But I had to stay strong.
"I'm sorry, I've just been a little distracted lately." I sighed.
"With what? I'm so worried, Isabelle. Your grades are slipping beyond measure." The principal said. I looked at my hands.
I knew I wasn't doing my best and I knew I could have done better. By the truth was, I was so worried about my mother...
But now that Mother's alright, I can only say one thing.
"I will try. I promise." I said, looking straight int her eyes. My confidence impressed both me and the principal. He nodded and sent me off with a warning. I walked to lunch, dazed. I was grinning, but my grin was replaced by a frown. Rachel wasn't happy, and I had to figure out why.
I walked into the cafeteria which was crowded as usual and spotted Tristan sitting alone on his table, picking at his food. He wasn't hungry I could tell. I waved and walked over to him and sat down, flashing him a smile.
"How's Rachel doing?" I asked. Tristan scowled.
"She's only talking to Dimitri." He frowned. I stifled a laugh. Jealousy? It didn't suit him well.
"Hey, listen. Give her some time. They need to be alone for a while." I said. Tristan's scowl softened but it was still visible he was trying to fight it. I sighed and placed my arm around him and snuggled into his chest. I felt his chest moving up and down and heard his heart beat going THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!
A long time ago, I thought we were friends.
But now, it could lead to something much more.