My Friend Justin

Chapter Twenty Two

★Chapter Twenty Two★

I stare intently at the scraggly handwriting, reading out loud every word.

“I think it says....haa..haaa...love...purple...ninja?” I leaned back with an unimpressed look on my face, rolling my eyes so hard they almost fell out of my skull. George laughed slightly.

“To be fair...” He said in between giggles. “That was quite a funny joke. I laughed.” 

I gave him a look. 

“Okay. It wasn’t funny.” He goes back to having a straight face. His lip is trembling but I decide to let it go. 

I walk over to the trash and tip my whole bag upside down, watching the little pieces flutter out. I decided none of them were worth keeping, as most just had scribbles on them from further inspection. It was only when I heard the large thump into the can, and that my bag felt a lot lighter. It was then I realised I forgot to take out my books out. I took a peek into the trash. Sighing, I roll up my sleeve and start to dig around for my books.

“HOBO!” Lucy sees me from one of the closer tables, then starts pointing at me, laughing.


Others looked for what she was pointing at, saw my arm right in the can, and joined in laughing. 

I just had to suck it up, as I really do need my stuff. I ignored the laughter and got it all back. 

“Curse you, Justin.” I muttered under my breath as I take the walk of shame back to the table, where George and Annie were looking at me sympathetically. I know it’s not his fault that I threw everything away, but I’d rather blame someone than myself. That sounded a bit deep.

“What a bitch. Your obviously not a hobo, Ash.” Annie whispers smoothly to re-assure me. As if I needed re-assuring.

“Thanks, Annie.” I pat her on the back slowly and smile. “But it takes a little bit more than jealously to tear me down.”

“ASHLEIGH. WE HAVE LITERATURE NEXT.”

Before I know it, Carla and Jade have marched through the hall, oblivious to the people around them and picked my up by my arms. Carla nods at George, then Annie, before whisking me away to my next lesson. Sometimes, I feel more like a ragdoll than a friend to them.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Shakespeare was a incredibly influential man. He experienced a different flavour of life to different variations of people.”

A voice droned from somewhere. My teacher's voice. Why does he think that using all these big unnecessary words make him look cool? It's probably just a literature thing. I'm not even listening now, my head's in my hands. Shakespeare could've been just this boring old man who made socks for a living for all I care right now. I think my lack of sleeping is making every single surface look very nice and cosy. Maybe if I just close my eyes...

* * * * * * * * * *

“Psst. Ashleigh. Ashleigh. Hey! Look at me.” I can hear Justin whisper my name from behind me. But I really need to listen to the teacher, I can't miss out any more information.

“Ashleigh!” Justin shut up... I think in my head. I continue to scribble down notes. Now, if Lenny was more intelligent than people thought he was...

I hear his chair scrape back, the high noise piercing my ears.

“ASHLEIGH!” He says loudly, clearing his throat.

Oh god. This is embarrassing.

“JUSTIN!” Ms Rogers squawks. She points a hand, shaking with anger, at the window.