If Only You Knew (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Six

                I had managed to struggle through geometry without going crazy. Despite the fact I had a good enough grade, I still found Mr. Finkle's teaching methods about as dry as the sahara. My second period class was English. My friends Hazel and Clara were in my English class and I was looking forward to seeing them after a long difficult winter break. Hazel and Clara were the odd couple. Hazel with her 5 feet 3 inches and pale, freckled skin paired with Clara, towering 5 inches above her with rich chocolate skin. But, hey! Who am I to judge? Im shorter than both of them.

            I strutted into English class, putting on a confident attitude, but cursed myself for choosing the heeled brown boots that I choose as I stumbled. A hand steadied me on either side. I looked up.

           "Clara! Hazel!" I exclaimed, truly ecstatic to see them both.

           "Girl, what have you been doing!? I haven't seen you all Christmas break!" Clara asked me excitedly.

           "Oh. My. Gosh!" Hazel interrupted before I could answer. "I bet some talent scout heard her music and gave her a record deal! And now Steph's songs are on the radio!"

           "No you genius, we would have heard her if she was on the radio." Clara reasoned. "Were you on a surprise cruise?"

            "No I bet she was swimming with dolphins!"

            "Maybe she was in HollyWood!"

            "Oh I know! She went to see the Goo Goo Dolls in concert!"

            "Guys!" I interrupted gently. "I've had a pretty rough few weeks. My best friend Avery committed suicide. I've been helping her family."

              Both Hazel and Clara immediately became subdued.

              "Oh my gosh. Oh no." Hazel said. She looked at Clara. "Thats why she didn't respond."

              "We thought she was just blowing us off or something." Clara admitted

              "Her death was kept on the hush side due to the situation, but I knew it wouldn't be right to keep you guys in the dark about it." I said matter-of-factly.

               "Im so sorry." Clara whispered, putting her arm around me.

               "Me too." Hazel murmured, putting her arm around my other side.

               "Girls, I hate to break up this bonding time but you need to find seats, class is starting." A voice behind us said.

Ms. Larkins. I detest her.

               "Please get to your seats dears." She said in a fake cheery tone of voice. 

             I can practically hear her thinking: 'Another fun class with these tenth grade brats.'

            I glanced around the room. Hazel was making her way over to an empty seat on the left side front and Clara headed over to a middle seat near the back. Which meant there was only one seat left. Next to.....

Oh crap.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

The only seat left was next to him.

               'I can't do this!'  I thought to myself as I made my way over to the empty seat. I slid into the chair and busied myself with taking my english folder and pencil out of my book bag. 

              "Hey 'Lil Dove." He exclaims hugging me.

             "Hi Alex!" I hug him back, fighting the urge to blush.

             "What have you been up to all break? You never took me up on any of the activities I invited you to." Alex asked me, looking a little disappointed.

              "Um I've been really... um busy.... and uh-"

              "I guess I didn't get the memo that today's class would be a chatroom." A sharp voice interrupted me.

Ms. Larkins to the rescue. Someday I'll thank her.

Nah.