Begin Again

Chapter 20

Yesterday I spent all day in bed. I threw up a few more times in the morning and ran a fever until around six. Most of my day consisted of napping, eating soup, and taking medicine. Oh, and of course thinking about Erik nonstop.

Isabel stopped by around four and brought me all the work I missed while I was out. She said that Erik looked confused and disappointed when he saw I wasn't sitting next to her outside the gym in our usual spot. He didn't stop and ask about me though. She also mentioned that in her class with Erik, he looked distraught and had trouble paying attention.

It's Friday now, and I'm back at school. I haven't seen Erik at all today, which sucks. He didn't come out of the gym after morning practice. Weird, I know. He's one of those guys that wouldn't miss practice even if the zombie apocalypse was happening.

I need to apologize for my actions and hear his side of the story. He probably doesn't even want to talk to me though, I mean, I ran out on our date and it had barely even started. Sure Kihanna had ruined it, but he probably had no part in it. I hope.

I'm currently waiting outside the lunchroom for Isabel. Through the window, I see the popular table. I notice that the two girls who told Kihanna about Erik and I are sitting right next to her. Probably their reward for what they did. I roll my eyes at them. I cannot believe that people would stoop so low and work so hard just to sit next to her. I mean, come on, she isn't a celebrity or anything.

I was never like Kihanna when I was the so called "queen bee". When I was popular, I was nice to everyone. If you wanted to sit by me, you didn't have to ruin someone's day. I would talk to anyone and everyone; regardless of their social status. If there was ever anyone that needed help, I would be there for them if possible. I wasn't stuck up or bossy like Kihanna is.

Kihanna was always a little pushy, but I never dwelled on that thought and always told myself that she just had a bossy personality. As her best friend, I didn't want to ever think anything bad about her. At the time, I never realized all the things she would make me do that I never would've done. I also never noticed how often she told me I couldn't do certain things.

Actually, she's the reason I don't play sports anymore. "Sports aren't for the pretty and popular girls, Trystan", she told me. I haven't dated anyone since freshman year either; she always told me that every guy interested in me wasn't good enough. Now that I think about it, she would date a lot of the guys that went after me first.

Kihanna must've sensed my gaze because she looks up from her salad and right at me. Her eyes darken and her plump, ruby red lips form into a triumphant smirk. For a second, I panic and start to back away; I stop myself though. I realize that this can be the first step to ridding my life of Kihanna's control.

I stand my ground instead of run and look back at her. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Isabel heading out the cafeteria doors. I smile at Kihanna before walking away from the window and over to Isabel with an air of newfound confidence. As we walk away together, I can feel Kihanna staring daggers into the back of my head. It wasn't much, but it was the baby step I needed to push myself towards my freedom.

"Have you seen Erik at all today?", I quickly ask.

"No I haven't, but I haven't been to physics yet."

"Ugh, okay. I haven't seen him either. I don't think he's here. I just want to apologize for Wednesday."

We reach our spot and sit down side by side. Isabel picks up her slice of pepperoni pizza and takes a bite.

"I don't think he's mad at you. He might be a little mad but probably 'cause the she-devil ruined y'alls date."

I laugh at her new nickname for Kihanna, "I hope he's not mad at me. It's been two days now though, and the longer this drags on the more nervous I get." I let out a sigh and rake my hand through my long, brown hair.

"Maybe he's sick. He might have the same thing you did. Don't worry 'bout it too much, I'm sure that as soon as he gets a chance to see you, y'all will work everything out."

I fish a honey oat granola bar from my backpack and unrap it. Before I take a bite I say, "You're right, he probably does. I wish there was a way I could check on him."

"Yeah, too bad you don't have his number."

"I don't have that, but I still have his darn hoodie. I never got a chance to give it back to him."

"I don't understand why you're complainin' about that. He smells good."

"Yes, he does but the jacket stopped smellin' good. I wore it too often at home."

Isabel laughs, "Why am I not surprised?"

I laugh too and give her a playful shove, "You said he smells good, you can't blame me for wantin' to wear it all the time."

She finishes her pizza and gets up to throw away the plate; I hold up my granola bar wrapper for her to take too. Isabel rolls he eyes but takes the wrapper anyway.

"I love you!", I call after her as she heads to the trash can.

"Uh huh, sure you do.", she sticks her tongue out at me on her way back.

I stick my tongue out back at her as the bell rings. Isabel puts her hand out to help me up off the ground. When we are both ready, we head our to our next class.

About ten minutes into my economics class my phone buzzes in my hoodie pocket. I stealthily pull it out and see that I have a text from Isabel.

Is<3: Erik ain't in class. He must not b at school.

I make sure my teacher isn't looking before quickly texting her back.

Me: Thanks. I guess he isn't :(

I put my phone back in my pocket and try to focus on the pages in my textbook I'm supposed to be reading. Worry about Erik's whereabouts cloud my thoughts though. Where is he?

A/N:
Hey y'all! Oh wheeeeerrreee is the Erik? Oh wheeeeerrreee is the Erik?
If you sang that in your head then you had a good childhood.

Please go enjoy the wonderful photo of Thomas Rhett and his dogs I have provided up top.

Now listen up all you burnt pieces of celery, I want some comments, votes and subscribers, so get to it!

Keep reading! Tell everyone to come read my book!

I love y'all!

-Emmy<3