Wide awake

Chapter Two Bloody Newtons

B.P.O.V It was the same nightmare I had last week, the one where I hid in the closet. He always found me, no matter how quiet I was being. I awoke with a start, falling out of my seat and onto a hard, cold floor. I heard the most God awful scream, and instinctively covered my ears to shield myself from the high pitched shriek. It took me a moment to realize the scream was coming from me, and I instantly closed my mouth with a snap. I realized then, to my mortification, that I was still in Biology.

When I looked around the classroom, everyone was staring at me lying on the floor in varying degrees shock. The only sound in the room was my panting. I sat there shaking and silent for a moment, save for my labored breathing, not really knowing what to do. Should I run? Should I ask to be excused? Was there any way possible to get out of this situation with a shred of dignity? I decided the answer to that question was a definite no. So I slowly lifted myself off the floor, and picked up my lab stool, which I had knocked over in my panicked state.

Mike Newton was two lab tables in front of me staring at me, mouth wide opened in shock. Everyone else seemed to be mirroring his pose, and I felt compelled to say something…anything. But I was completely and utterly frozen, standing there grasping my lab stool like it was the only thing keeping me in this room, this school, this entire town. By now, I was quite sure my face was flaming red in embarrassment. All I could do was dart my eyes around the room and take in the stares of my astonished classmates.

Finally, Mr. Banner cleared his throat. I snapped my gaze to his, silently pleading with my eyes; for what, I don’t know. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, then snapped it closed again. He did this four times before finally speaking.

“Miss Swan, do you need to be excused?” He asked so quietly I barely made out the words. Not trusting my voice enough to speak, I nodded vehemently and pried my grasp from the lab stool to pick up my bag. Without awaiting any further confirmation of my dismissal, I hurried out of the room with my eyes fixed on the floor.

Once outside, I collapsed on the grass and took deep, steadying breaths, not caring about the light rain that was falling. I sat there for what seemed like hours, replaying the event in my head. Any hope I once had of attempting to remain unnoticed, even despite my earlier episodes, just completely flew out the window.

With a groan, I lifted myself off the ground and made my way to Alice’s Porsche. There was no way I was going to gym today.

I wasn’t sure if Alice had caught wind of the Biology incident, but if she did, she made no mention of it when she got in the car at the end of the day. For that I was grateful. On the way home, she went on and on about this guy in her History class she liked. Jasper was his name. She was dissecting his every glance, deciding he either liked her, or was staring at something she had on her face from lunch.

“I mean, we did have pizza today, and that sauce can get all over if you’re not careful. I should have gone to the bathroom before class! If there was something on my face at lunch, you’d tell me right?” She eyed me nervously from her seat as she babbled on. She gave me no chance to answer, of course. “God! He probably thinks I’m a complete spaz!” she groaned. I rolled my eyes.

“He doesn’t think you’re a spaz, Alice. You’re being ridiculous.” I said in a monotone voice. She did this every day this week, always thinking this guy was either completely in love with her, or completely disgusted by her, and always deciding on the latter. Seeing her skeptical look made me add, “Plus, I saw you after lunch and you looked absolutely perfect.” I lied. I really didn’t pay enough attention at school to take in those kinds of details. She seemed placated somewhat by my comment.

“Okay, maybe you’re right. Still, I hope he’s coming to Emmet’s party tonight. I’m going to make one hundred percent positive I look irresistible. I have this green dress I’ve been dying to wear…” she babbled on, more excited now that she changed the conversation to one of her happier topics; wardrobe. I internally groaned at the thought of going to this party. After my behavior today, there was no way I could achieve my ‘in, chat with Rose, leave’ plan without having any attention drawn to me. Still, I pushed it to the back of my mind, knowing there was no way I’d get Alice off my back.