The Anti-Socialist

Chapter Seven

Immediately, when the bell rang to signal the ending of the last class for the day, I jumped out of my seat and ran for Ms. Freeman's room.  When I got to her room, she wasn't there.  I felt disappointed, but then I saw the handwritten note on her desk.  Her cursive looked like an actual font.

"Dear Grace,

Hey, sorry I'm not in right now.  I'm at the school office taking care of a few things.  I should be back in fifteen minutes or so.

~Ms. Freeman" 

My heart lifted.  So Ms. Freeman and I would still get to spend time together after all.  

I looked around the familiar Theatre room.  Props from old plays were scattered across the room.  I spotted a tiara in the corner, and I couldn't help but put it on my head.  Then I saw that there was hair all over it, and nearly peed my pants.  That was GROSS.

I went over to the statue next to Ms. Freeman's desk.  The statue, thank goodness, wasn't naked.  It actually had crossed eyes, thanks to someone who drew in the eyes.  It looked quite goofy, and it actually had made me laugh in the old days.

The door opened, and Ms. Freeman gracefully walked in.  At five foot seven, she could easily make a model.  "Hey Grace," she said in her soft, sweet voice.

A smile immediately spread across my face.  "Hi Ms. Freeman," I replied, taking a seat in front of her desk.  Ms. Freeman smiled.

"I've been noticing that a guy's been hanging around you," she started off.  I turned pale, and Ms. Freeman laughed.

I got up and turned back to the statue.  I traced my finger across it's eye.  "Well, yeah, there's that one guy," I replied slowly, blushing.

"Aha!  Hehe...." Ms. Freeman said, grinning.

Heat went up my face.  "Hey, don't get the wrong idea, Ms. Freeman!  Jake and I are NOT that way," I said, making a pouty face.

Ms. Freeman stuck out her tongue.  "Alright, whatever you say.  So, why is...Jake, hanging around you in the first place?" she asked, becoming serious again.

I sighed and pulled myself away from the statue.  "I actually have no clue.  He just kinda defends me when I get into trouble with Cecelia and Joe.  We're not really anything yet, and I don't classify him as a friend.  Not that anyone here is a friend but you," I explained, looking back at Ms. Freeman.

She had a thoughtful gaze on her face.  "Well, guys never did that for me, that's all I have to say about the defending part.  But he really does seem to care," she commented, her deep brown eyes looking a little dreamy.

"Ms. Freeman!" I protested, trying not to laugh.

Ms. Freeman covered up her face with her scarf like she always did when she was dying of laughter.  "I'm sorry, but it's true!  He's like your knight in shining armor!" she said through the scarf.

I rolled my eyes.  "Ms. Freeman, you're being a bit too dramatic about this whole thing," I said, grinning despite what had just been spoken between us.

Ms. Freeman took in a deep breath.  "Okay, okay, I won't mention it again," she said, although a smile was still tugging at her lips.

I sighed frustratingly.  "I won't EVER like a guy again in that kind of way, not since that last time that I tried it...." I trailed off.

Ms. Freeman's smile was replaced by a mournful look.  "You have to get over that, Gracie, sweetie," she said.

I looked into her warm eyes.  "I'm already over it, but it still haunts me.  I'm never going to forget," I replied softly, fighting back tears and hoping that she wouldn't see that I was about to fall apart.

Ms. Freeman walked over to me and gave me a tight hug.  "Hey, it's alright.  I went through almost the same kind of stuff when I was your age," she reassured.

"Seriously, you, Ms. Freeman?" I asked, surprised.

Ms. Freeman smiled gently.  "I wasn't the hottest girl when I was your age.  I was actually the ugliest," she said.

"NO. WAYYYY," I said, looking at her full in the face.

She laughed.  "Yes way.  I was bullied a LOT by tons of people, including this girl I completely hated.  I was once your age, Grace, I know what it's like," she said, wrapping me into another hug.

"I can NOT believe that people made fun of you!  You're so awesome!" I protested. 

Ms. Freeman raised an eyebrow.  "Well, people judged me by my cover, just like they judge you right now," she replied sadly.  "Anyways, are you planning on auditioning for a part in the play?" she asked.

I almost started laughing.  "Me?  In a play?  No, that's not a good idea," I said, laughing.

"Why not?" Ms. Freeman asked, a completely innocent look on her face.  She winked at me.  "You fit into Jessica's personality perfectly."

I buried my face in my hands.  "I can NOT act, Ms. Freeman!" I protested through my fingers.

"That's what you think!  I've seen you when you talked to other people in Theatre!  I've seen you act before, and you're amazing at it!" she said encouragingly.

I rolled my eyes, letting my hands fall from my face.  "Right.  I'm a horrible actress, admit it.  I couldn't entertain the dead if I wanted to," I joked.

 Ms. Freeman gave me a look.  "I'm sure you would make an AMAZING actress.  Especially for Jessica, you have her personality!  It won't be much acting, at least on your part," she said reassuringly.  She shoved a paper into my face.

I sighed and took the paper from her.  "Fine, I'll consider it," I muttered, tossing the paper to where my backpack was.

Ms. Freeman laughed and gave me one last hug.  "Good.  I'm sure you'll do wonderfully, don't doubt yourself," she said.

I looked down at my watch and checked the time.  4:18.  "Ms. Freeman, I should get going now," I said, standing up.

Ms. Freeman smiled.  "Alright then, Grace.  I'll see you tomorrow!" she said cheerfully.

"Bye!" I called, as I grabbed my stuff and walked out the door.

I pulled out the paper with the information on the cast of the play.  I sighed.  "I'm sorry Ms. Freeman, but I just can't, not with what's going on all around me," I muttered.  I took the paper and stuffed it into a near by trash can.