Through the Glass Door

Chapter Five: Flawed Memory

Find someone you know. Find someone you know. The words bounce around my mind as a useless reminder. Of course I'm going to find someone I know! I'm not stupid! I just need someone who can tell me what's happening. 

I must seem crazy right now. I'm talking to myself, running through the halls wildly. Trust me, this isn't my usual behavior. Seriously. I don't think I have ever, and I mean ever, talked to myself before. I haven't ever needed to since everyone else liked me so much. I hardly ever have a moment to myself since everyone is always fighting for a chance to talk to me. Now that i think about it, i don't even know what quiet sounds like... well until now anyway. It's kind of nice.

As soon as people see me, they head in the other direction. Literally. I know that's only ever something you hear about in books and movies, but it's true! Do I smell or something? I sniff myself tentatively, making sure no one sees me. Not that anyone is looking anyways. Nope, I still smell like Chanel No. 5. A couple times I reach out to people I know.  I brush up on their sleeves and they shoot me looks, and not the kind I'm used to either. Some of the looks are confused, like they can't believe I'm here. I don't understand any of it, all i know is that they are all avoiding me like I'm not here. Eye contact doesn't work either. Their eyes glaze over and they suddenly look very busy. Nothing is working. Finally i just slump on the wall. i don't have anywhere to go, or anyone to talk to. I look like that loner who no one cares about. i hate it.

"Hey... uh... do you need help?" My head is down, so I can't see who it is, but they're touching my shoulder now. I look up, bewildered, then try to back up. That only results in me hitting my head on the wall. I wince but shift my eyes, looking anywhere but at the person in front of me. I never ever wanted him to see me like this. I can't avoid his eyes for forever though.

"C-C-Caden." Realizing who I am, he looks shocked now.

"Cambry. Oh. Sorry to bother you.... I thought you were..." He walks away before I can say anything.

"Caden! Come back, I, uh," He's already gone. Why did he get away from me so fast? I need to go find someone who won't go running! As reluctant as Michelle seemed earlier, at least she answered. I start walking down the hallway, looking around. She could be anywhere.

After what seems like forever, I think I spot her head...well I guess it could be anyone's head. 

"Michelle!" She stares at me wide-eyed then turns around, walking fast. I must look so desperate, but i follow anyway, weaving in and out of the crowd. I finally catch up to her and grap her sleeve.  "Michelle, you've gotta help me!" I'm whining, holding on to her as she's she walking away.

"Let go!" Shaking her arm, Michelle literally tries to pry my arm away. When this fails, she simply pretends I'm not there. So I do something super annoying, something really childish. Something I'm not proud of, but I need her to listen.

"MICHELLE! MICHELLE! MICHELLE!" I stamp my foot, causing a huge scene.

People are looking at us strangely now and Michelle whirls around, shooting me a dirty look before hissing, "What! What do you want?" I back up, she looks like she's going to kill me. "Cambry, you haven't spoken to me in 3 years." Suddenly, her voice gets low, soft, sad. "Why now?" This voice scares me the most.

"I just... What do you mean I haven't spoken to you?" Michelle sighs, then starts to turn.

"If you can't even remember that, why do you think i'd help you now?"