I'm Here

Chapter 11: Restrictions

I groggily walked through the hallways. Everyone was still throwing things at me and hating on me. It’s sad that I became accustomed to it. I still don’t know how to make it stop, so the only thing I could do is deal with it.

I saw the signup sheet on the wall. I grabbed a Sharpie out of my bag and scrolled down all the names until I finally found a familiar set. I crossed my name out with the thick permanent marker. I pressed a little harder than I should have. The black ink bled through on the glass where the list hung.

In panic that I damaged school property, I wiped up the marker with the sleeve of my white sweater. I immediately regretted that decision considering I now had permanent black marker on my white sweater. At least the sweater wasn’t new, but now I’d have to either throw it out or really try to get the stain out. No way would that work, though.

I sigh as the day had only just started and I had to go through a few more hours. Joy.

Classes through each period were hell. Yeah, I had Hailey in some which made it better, but the ones I didn’t sucked. I had been made public enemy number one. Not only because of Facebook, but because of Ashley and Mary. They made me seem like the biggest bitch to ever walk on Earth. Just about everyone in the school hated me.

After five long, dragged out periods, it was finally lunch time. According to my parents, I wasn’t allowed to use my senior privilege of leaving school to eat. I had to stay in the cafeteria. I didn’t even think to disobey them at this point. Ignoring their wishes now would make me legitimately dead.

 I sat down at a lunch table with my completely overcooked hamburger that I bought in the school cafeteria. It was a shame that I couldn’t get a decent meal. I was seated at a table that holds up to eight people. The seven other chairs were empty.

Hailey went out to lunch with some of her friends from book club. Except it wasn’t really a book club at all. They randomly chose indie books and discussed their emotions. This week, I believe they were reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I never read it, but Hailey keeps telling me that she is nonstop crying her eyes out. The group basically shares books they like and they’re book friends. It’s not like an ordinary book club.  I can’t really describe it.

I was happy she was having a great time. I just wish I could be happy for myself as well. I kept my head down while I ate the horrific food. I heard a chair pull out beside me. I looked up and saw someone was sitting at my table with me. Now, there were only six chairs empty. The person was Jack.

“Hey! You seemed lonely so I thought I should sit beside you and give you company.” Jack cheerfully said while pulling out his lunchbox.

I chuckled. “I was lonely. Thanks.” I lightly smiled.

“So how’ve you been?” He asked.

“I’m alright. I’ve been better.” I responded.

“I can imagine. Now, I know you have some friends, why are you sitting here by yourself?” Jack asked me.

“I’m not sitting here by myself.” I grinned.

He laughed. “You know what I mean.”

“My friends have other friends and I can’t join them because I’m not allowed to leave school grounds.” I answered.

Jack took a break from chewing on potato chips and shot me a confused glare. “Why aren’t you allowed to leave?”

“I got in a lot of trouble with my parents, so they forbid me to go anywhere. It’s a really long story that I’d really rather not explain right now.” I hinted to get that conversation out.