Trust

Chapter 3

I sat in drama, at the front as usual but today was different. My confidence from this morning was definitely lowered by my encounter with Luke but that still hadn't been enough to fully make me go back into my shell again. Today I am determined to be a little bit more me in lessons. Good luck to me!

When I first entered, Luke's group was giving me looks, clearly remembering this morning and my secret sassiness came back just for them but then I caught Luke's eye and immediately looked away and reduced the sassiness.

Luckily for me, today was just an observational lesson, where we watch a performance and try to learn from it for our own performances. We had to be seated in a circle on our chairs. Unfortunately, Luke was sat directly opposite me. Was he doing this purpose? Hasn't he embarrassed me enough for one day?

I tried everything not to look at him and focus on the performance going on in the centre and round the circle. No matter how hard I tried, it just made it more frequent, to look at Luke; Sometimes longer, even though my brain is screaming for me to look away, then his eyes catch mine. FUCK! He caught me staring as did his friends. They all smirked and started whispering, pointing at me and nudging Luke continuously. Assholes. He just smirked along with them and winked suggestively at me. Wanker!

My breathing increased. This is totally distressing. The heat was rising onto my face as I could see through my peripheral version while watching to performance, that Luke's group were still staring at me. I need to calm the fuck down. I pull my hoodie around me, trying to conceal myself from their gaze. Like that will help me now?!

When the performance was over, we all applauded. I tried to act calm and relaxed. This is a drama lesson, may as well act like I am.

I'm failing to do so. Miserably.

As soon as Mr Clayton, the drama teacher, said we could leave, I was the first one out of their seat and I speed walked out of there. I was off. I may have shoved a few people outside the studio but I apologised quickly while still moving as swiftly as I could through the crowd of students, to get away from 'the guys'.

I arrived to history smoothly and I tried to gather my composure as soon as I entered the room. None of the guys were in this class so I would be fine. Shit, after school is Ashley's daily dose of embarrassment for me and judging by what I did this morning, today is going to be fun. Sarcasm!

Okay, come on Paige, you're supposed to be more you. Don't take her crap today.

As I was giving myself a 'pre-Ashley' talk, I didn't realise the class made begun and I started writing whatever it was we had to. I still can't forget how Luke kept smirking at me. That was totally different from the look he was giving me this morning. Men!!! I rolled my eyes. Then I shook Luke from my mind- or as much as humanly possible- and continued with the work, trying to distract myself from any thoughts on Luke but man that guy really knows how to play on a person's mind. The sudden thought of the feeling of my arm brushing against his chest this morning as I was trying to leave made me blush, which made me look around the class to see if anyone had noticed. No one had so I took a deep breath and hurried on with my work.

I was constantly looking at the clock. Tick Tock! Tick Tock! Watching the tedious seconds pass by. I only realised I was unfocused when the door opened and Mr Nelson, the deputy head of the school came in. Everyone looked up, I immediately straightened my posture out of habit for higher authority figures (stupid English schools) but he wasn't a usual deputy like man. He wasn't stern or authoritarian at all. He smiled all the time, making everyone in the class, even me after I relaxed back to my previous posture, smile.