Pictures of You [M. C.]

15

(Song for this chapter: "Empty" by: Pvris)

"Pop quiz!" Mrs. Bell's all too cheery voice rings through the room followed by groans and protests. "I hope you all did your homework last night and paid attention in class yesterday. If you did, you'll pass the quiz. If not, I'm sorry but you will fail, it's as simple as that."

I can see Calum roll his eyes then lean back in his chair, arms folded against his chest. Before he can notice me staring, I turn my attention away from Calum and back to the boy sitting next to me.

"Great," Michael whispers sarcastically, "Another failing grade I'll have to explain to my mother." He too rolls his eyes and I bite the inside of my cheek. It hurts knowing how similar Michael and Calum are. It also pains me to have Calum sitting physically close to me but yet be so far from my reach.

Mrs. Bell passes out the quiz, getting mixed reactions from each student she walks by. From Michael she receives scared, wide eyes and from me all she gets is a blank, tired look. Because that's all I've been all-day; blank and tired. By blank, I mean mentally checked out, not completely here. Tired because even though I laid in Michael's arms all night, I never once closed my eyes. I couldn't get my mind to shut up long enough for me to get some sleep.

The quiz consists of ten questions and I fly through them. I know how to work each problem only because I worked ahead a few days ago. In mere minutes, I flip my page face down and lay my head in my hand, staring into space.

"That quiz was stupid," Michael complains as we leave Math. I nod in agreement, not really focusing on what he said exactly. "So I'll see you at lunch?"

"Oh, uh actually I'm going to the library," I mutter quickly. I'm not sure just when I decided to go to the library, but suddenly I need to.

"Ok?" I can tell Michael is concerned about me he just hasn't voiced his worries yet. Before he can say anything else, I turn in the opposite direction towards my next class. I just want this day to be over.

When lunch rolls around, I make my way to the library as fast as I can. After signing in at the front desk, I go to the back corner and sit, waiting for Luke to come. A few minutes later he joins me on floor, immediately pulling me into a tight hug.

"I thought you had died or something," he chuckles releasing me. I smile for the first time all day.

"Well, I guess you could say that I came close."

He cocks his head to the side, "Wait. What do you mean?"

"Long story short I fell in the bathroom and Michael had to take me to the hospital for stitches. That's why I've been gone for so long." I point to the still healing wound on my forehead.

"I tried calling you," he says quietly. My heart drops and I sigh.

"I know and I'm sorry. It was a really long weekend. Between hitting my head and both my parents leaving for business I haven't really been in the best mood."

Luke gives me a half smile, "I'm glad you're back and you're okay."

"Me too."

Lunch is spent catching each other up on all that's happened in our lives. Luke tells me that his brother is supposed to be coming home from college this weekend but he wouldn't be surprised if he cancelled. He says that his brother tends to drop plans a lot. I tell Luke the entire story of me falling in the bathroom and he laughs picturing me tripping. Even though it wasn't funny at the time I can't help but laugh along with Luke. While swapping stories, I decide to leave out my adventure to the beach yesterday. It feels too personal to share, even with Michael.