Sisters [book one]

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

There's a few weeks left of school but for the seniors, it's their last day of high school. There's a buzz in the air that's unleashed like a tiger at three o'clock when the final bell rings. The seniors pour out of the classrooms, bombarding the rest of the student body with shouts and cries of joy and relief.

Next year, that's going to be me.

I clutch my books to my chest and walk. Pupils who aren't seniors cower to the sides. Amongst the shouts, the chatter and the celebrations, I make it to my locker unscathed. I still have homework to complete over the weekend and I can't help but feel jealous. But I know my time will come, next year, when I'll be free of high school. Forever.

From across the hall, I catch glimpses of Esmee at her locker, shuffling books between her hands. Maybe she's rushing because she has cheer practise or she has an appointment or she wants to escape these crowded halls, I don't know. We haven't spoken in weeks.

Rumours are spreading about the real reason she was in hospital and I can't even begin to imagine what's going through her head.

I watch Esmee from across the hall. She's wearing a white T-shirt, a pair of light-washed jeans, pink flip flops and her hair is pulled back into a messy bun. Behind her smile, I see a facade. Happiness doesn't reach her eyes. I feel sorry for the cheerleader. She never did anything wrong.

I bury my face in my locker, ashamed of spying. I try and focus on organising my books but my mind is elsewhere.

I was in her shoes a year ago. I had friends but the world around me was crumbling. It won't be long before people find out and she'll be the centre of the attention for all the wrong reasons.

I slam my locker shut and re-hoist my schoolbag over my shoulder. I march over.

When Esmee sees that it's me, Haley Holland, the girl who ruined everything for her, she doesn't bat an eyelid.

"I just want to say I'm sorry," I say.

"I don't care what you have to say, whether it's sorry or-"

"Just hear me out."

Esmee looks up but doesn't say anything.

"I know what you're going through," I say. "Honestly, I do. I'm not one of those people who are just saying that because I can't think of any way to comfort you. You know what happened to me. I know that when I was in your position, I wouldn't have excepted help from anyone even if they handed it to me on a silver platter because I didn't think I deserved it. But I'm begging you to be my friend, I miss you. You're not like those other fake bitches, you cared about me."

"I don't think-"

"Stop pushing me away," I press. "Just say yes and it'll all go away. Jake's a jerk. He kissed me then blamed me for not being with him. You think all those cheerleaders know you how I know you? I care. And I think in some twisted, dysfunctional way, you care about me too."

Esmee's eyes have glazed over. I think she's going to start crying but her gaze drops to the ground.

"At the beginning of the year, I was meant to be helping you, not the other way around," Esmee says.

I smile. "Weird, isn't it?"

Esmee nods.

"Do you want to hang out after school?" I say.

Esmee nods again. It may not be the running-into-my-arms-sobbing response I had been hoping but it was all I needed.

"I'm sorry," I say again.