Oxygen

Chapter 25 - Long story Short

"So" I take a deep breath, ignoring the teacher as he enters the classroom. "A few months ago, when Jordan and I met, we kinda fell in love. I know, I should have told you, but I didn't want to say anything until I knew it was real".

"Okay" Evelyn nodded, following along as she retrieved her pen and book from her school bag. "Well, you know Natalie Summers? Well she got a bit... jealous. Her family sort of went after us, so we went to America to get away from everything. Jordan's family kept an eye on everything for us, so now that Natalie seems to have left the school, we came back".

Evelyn scrunches her eyebrows, frowning. "But why did you have to leave to be safe? The gang and I could have protected you". "It's not that simple, Ev. They were threatening us with all sorts of things, it simply wasn't possible to protect ourselves with our bare fists. They actually caught us a couple of weeks ago, they have jail cells in their house that they kept us in. But Cathy and Michael, Jordan's parents, got us out. Everything's fine now".

"Okay, I believe you" she said, reaching an arm around my shoulder and hugging me from the side. "I missed you so much though, Fern. I'm just glad your back for formal!". I rolled my eyes, laughing, and quickly glanced over to see the teacher looking at us expectantly. "Mind if I take the lesson, girls?" Mr Brooks, our Social Studies teacher asked.

"Sorry, sir" I said, shrugging into my seat. "It's nice to see you back though, Ms Ashford" he said, nodding appreciatively. I looked at Evelyn cautiously and she whispered, "We'll talk later".

The rest of the lesson was just like how it used to be. The teacher talked for ages about the Antarctic and how "global warming" is affecting it. I didn't believe any of it for a second, nor did I bother listening. I shuffled my feet from side to side under my desk, waiting for the time where the bell would ring and I could finally go to second period. My wishes were not granted though, as I looked at the clock to see that we still had twenty minutes left. Groan. I looked out the steamy window, rubbing the mist away with my sleeve. Through the smeary glass was the huge field, where the gang and I sat months ago before we left, when the cold winter chill froze our fingers and toes.

I stare into space, watching the cheerleaders run across the field, doing flips and cartwheels as they went. Ugh, I hate cheerleaders. There's just nothing about that sport that makes it interesting. I observe as the jocks, including Jordan, run onto the field, kicking the ball towards the post. Jordan looks up from the round ball and sees me, looking down from the second floor of the main school building. He raised a hand and waved, and I smiled back, trying not to get caught by the teacher.

I started tapping my fingers on the desk, as I turned away from the window and drew myself back into the lecture from Mr Brooks. The tapping rhythm started to match the pace of my shuffling feet, moving to the rhythm of the song playing in my head. 'Used to tell me "Sky's the limit", now the sky's our point of view' I sang in my head, moving my head slightly to the drum beat. "Hmmm" I breathed, a sigh of misery falling from my mouth. I had been waiting to leave this class since the minute I sat down. Next to me, Evelyn was still listening to the teacher intently, staring at the whiteboard as the teacher drew a map with all the research bases in Antarctica.

"First, there's Scott base, the one we are proud to call New Zealand's base in the Antarctic. Close to that there is McMurdo Station, owned by the U.S. Finally, we've got the famous Amundsen-Scott Station, also owned by America. These are some of our most well - known explorers". The teacher continued the long explanation about polar explorers as I hummed quietly to 'When we were young' by Adele. The song is very close to my heart, and I think of my family when I listen to it. It makes me sad, but it also makes me happy. 'It was just like a movie, it was just like a song, when we were young'.

After a while, I was finally free from learning, for a lunch break at least. I walked to our table, bag on my bag, and slumped into one corner of the diamond shaped table. I unzipped my navy blue bag and pulled out my lunch bag. Today I was trying to be healthy; I had a cheese and tomato sandwich, an apple, some cheese sticks and cucumber. I pulled out the sandwich and started munching on it, until finally Evelyn arrived.

She waved to me as she approached. "Hey Fern" she said, as though she wanted something from me. She seemed to be acting awfully nice for a minute, offering me some of her fries. I took a couple anyway, intrigued to see what she wanted. Whenever Evelyn is overly nice, there's always something up.

"What?" I ask, quirking an eyebrow as she took the seat next to me. "Okay, so how are things with you and Jordan?" Ah, she wants the gossip, I thought to myself. "Well, we love each other, I guess".

"I guess? What does that mean?" she asked. I knew she wouldn't stop asking questions until she had the answers she wanted, so I complied and told her. "Well we kiss and stuff, we had to share a bed a few times while we were gone, but I don't know if we're officially dating or not". I was always honest with Ev, she was my best friend, she always has been. Ever since the day we both started school when we were five, we've been inseparable. Lying to her now wasn't going to do me any good.

"Oh, my dear girl" she said, giving me a small hug. She pulled away and put her hands on my shoulders, in a motherly way. She was always the caring one. I usually ended up looking like I didn't care at all, no matter how much affection I showed. That seems to be much different with Jordan.

"So, once Jordan and the other guys have arrived, I'm going to make a diversion, so you and Jordan can have a chat. During that time, your going to ask him where your at. Got it?" I laughed softly as she gave me a huge smile. "Alright, I will". "Great!" she squeaked, and we ate in silence until everyone arrived.

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Hey guys!

Thanks for reading. If you see anything that needs editing, please mention it. I don't mind reading your stories if you'd like me to.

What do you think Jordan will say to Fern? Are they officially a thing?

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Alice xx