My Best Friend...The Keeper?

I Can't Stand The Smell Of Hospitals

The next few days at school were somewhat normal. Word had spread quickly that I was switching schools by the end of the week. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it sure wasn't looks of sympathy from everyone I passed in the hallways. Either they were actually sad to see me go, or they knew that something was coming my way soon.

Every day at lunch Dom would eat with me, talk to me, flirt endlessly. Ape didn't like this very much and I found myself catching her glares every chance she could break away to look at me.

Dom never noticed. He thought everything was fine. I didn't think to tell him about the threats half of the cheer squad had left in my locker after Monday's detention. I had still held up my end of the deal, by the way, I hadn't set foot in detention since then. Dame was happy about that, but at the same time he looked sad I wasn't brave enough to express myself anymore. I don't really think he grasped how much Dom meant to me at the moment. After that kiss in the parking lot, there was only more to come. I think I counted at least three more kisses before he even dropped me off. Who knows how many people saw that.

I didn't even want to let the thought cross my mind.

That Thursday I decided to visit my new school, tour it, meet some people. Hillside understood and let me go without even a second glance. At least I knew someone was excited to see me go. I dragged Damian along with me, Hillside was actually sad to see him go. He wasn't, he was overjoyed he could finally express himself the way I always talked about.

We were enrolled in the nearest public school we could find, an hour and a half drive from our house every morning. It was called Jackson High, my future happiness rolled out into one building. Only an hour and a half away. It was worth it completely.

I first dropped Monster off at his middle school, which was much like Hillside. A teacher or principal waited for him with a smile, taking him inside with open arms. I let out a sigh as I made my way over the high school parking lot. Looking down I took a deep breath and put on my smirk as I clambered out of the car.

The principal stood waiting for me, a smile, not fake like I was expecting, welcomed me through the front doors.

"They are having their lunch period right now, so we'll walk you through there to kind of get an idea of what kind of students we have here. How was it at your old school?" She wondered.

I cleared my throat, "Well mostly it was jocks and cheerleaders, I was the only different one."

"Is that why you wanted to switch to Jackson?"

I nodded my head, she shot me a proud smile. "Are we going to have any problems with you, Ms. Aphra?"

"The only problems I had at my last school involved me being myself. They didn't like the real me." I offered her the truth and she ate it up without a second thought.

"Well here at Jackson...." She opened the floodgates that was the pride in her school.

I zoned out as we walked through the lunchroom, immediately spotting people who dressed like me I smiled a little.

"Would you like to sit in here for a minute while I go grab your papers?" Mrs. Ilich asked me.

I nodded my head and she left me to stand there by the wall. Hoping to myself someone would come up to me I put on the helpless expression I had mastered these past years.

Wait for it...BOOM!

Nothing.

Until I heard a soft voice from behind me, not a nervous voice. Just the voice of somebody that acted like they didn't care.