It’s actually been a good week. My spiking of the punch was pretty hilarious, and people are still talking about it. Well they were until we got assigned our groups anyway. I like my group; they seem like nice people. Plus Ridge is in it… Ridge… I’ve been thinking about him a lot lately. A couple days ago he said we were friends; I don’t think he knows how much that really meant to me. It’s just, I’ve never really had a friend before, and it never bothered me because that’s just what I was used to, but now that I actually have someone to talk to… It’s strange for sure, but I like it. We haven’t talked in class much though, but I think it’s because we want to really pay attention now that we’re really sure we’ll be the first on Novelta. I’m really excited for that too, I wonder what it will be like. Mrs. Tahoe told me when I go to keep a journal of sketches and descriptions of animals to figure out the food chain. It will also help us see what we can hunt and stuff.
The day went by fast. There’s tons of work in class lately, but it’s not that big of a deal. I was walking home when I saw Ridge. I blush, and then it fell away in disbelief. Blushing? I don’t think I’ve ever blushed… He was talking to his sister. Dang they look alike. I guess I’ve never really noticed until now. They’re pretty… He smiles and waves me over. I feel out of place next to them… Allie looks at me curiously.
“You must be Shard,” she says. I nod. “Ridge was just telling me about you… but I gotta go right now, but nice meeting you!”
“Yeah… nice meeting you,” I mumble as she walks away.
“Sorry about that,” Ridge says with a smile. I smile back.
“It’s fine…” but suddenly I don’t feel ‘fine’. As he looks at me, I’m overcome with guilt. Why did I kill your dad Ridge? Why don’t you know? You trust me… He starts to speak.
“Hey Shard… I don’t know if you want to tell me but… what do your parents do?” I freeze, oh my gawd please don’t talk about parents… I already feel terrible… but I have to answer him.
“They’re dead.” I say simply. “My mother died giving birth to me and my dad… was murdered.” Well, it’s not a lie… He looks shocked.
“D-dead? I’m so sorry!” suddenly he flings his arms around me in a hug. I gasp, and I have no idea what to do. My whole body goes numb. My vision blurs, and then I realize I’m crying. I sob slightly.
“Shard?”
I couldn’t look at him. I just… couldn’t. He pulled away and looked at me with concern, and that was it, I couldn’t take it. It was like a dam bursting. I tried to run but he grabbed my arm gently. I tried to stop, I tried with every bone in my body to stop but I couldn’t. I slowly lower myself to the floor, sobbing. He kneels next to me and wraps his arms around me. I let him, pressing closer to him. I don’t know how long I sat there, but finally I stopped, rather suddenly, making him jump.
“You… okay?” he asks. I look up at him.
“It’s just… sometimes it just hits me you know? And I can’t… stop…” He nods, and lets go of me. Then he takes my hand and says, “It’ll get better… for both of us. We just gotta get to Novelta, and it’s getting closer!” I smile and nod. Then we both stood up. I was silent for a moment, and then I whispered, “Thank you.” It was all I could say. Then I squeeze his hand and walk away.
