Something Worth Fighting For

Chapter Forty Four: Losing Control

Chapter Forty Four: Losing Control

Natalia sat in class, staring blankly at the black board. She had no idea what the class had been about. All she had been doing was writing her notes, not really comprehending what it was she was writing. Natalia had been slacking off in her homework too. When she got home, she just didn't feel like opening her books. Not like she had any tests coming up. It was June...all she was looking forward to was final exams and graduation...that was if she had been looking forward to anything.

Natalia heard the bell ring. She walked towards her third period class. It was her Communication Technology class. She sat beside Taylor.

The teacher was handing out the quiz. Natalia felt oddly calm. She had forgotten about it. For the first time she wasn't nervous before taking a test...even though this time she hadn't even studied for it.

Natalia looked at the quiz. There were ten multiple choice questions. Her teacher had given them a quiz similar to this, almost every other week. Each quiz was worth almost two percent of their marks, and at the end of the semester the lowest quiz mark would be dropped.

A few weeks ago, Natalia would have cared about how well she did on this quiz. Today, however, grades were the last thing on her mind.

Natalia filled out the quiz, not paying much attention to the questions or the answers. She finished quickly and handed in her quiz. She could care less about how she had done.

Once lunch arrived, Natalia dashed to the library and hid between the bookshelves until she knew her friends weren't looking for her. She took out her mp3 player and turned up the volume. Playing her music loud in order to drown out her thoughts. Today's song of choice was 'Rain On Me' by Cheryl Cole.

Natalia had gotten in to the habit of hiding among the shelves...only after Clara had said something.

“Natalia, how's Dallas?” Clara had asked on lunch period. “I don't know...why?” Natalia had answered, slightly irritated about being asked.

“Well...the local newspaper did an article on him and nine other guys...he tops the list for most eligible local bachelor.” Clara grinned smugly, showing her the paper. “I guess they didn't know you two were going out!” Natalia had smiled as everyone watched her, hiding her clenched fists. Her nails had dug in and left half moons in the flesh of her palms. At least she had been kept from saying anything back...or letting her emotions spill...

Since then Natalia had avoided being around her friends at lunch. She would see Taylor during classes, but the rest of the time she kept away from the girls.

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It wasn't until Wednesday when Natalia would be held accountable for her nonchalance.

The teacher handed back their quizzes. Natalia had yet to receive hers. Taylor was going over the two questions he had gotten wrong.

Their teacher sent them to the computers so that they would work on their assignments. Natalia was puzzled. She hadn't gotten her quiz back.

As she got up to walk to her computer, she heard her name being called.

“Natalia...would you mind coming up here for a moment?” The teacher asked.

Taylor exchanged confused looks with her before heading for the computers.

Natalia approached the teacher's desk.

“You wanted to see me...” Natalia said, quietly.

“Yes, Natalia. I was going over the quizzes...and I noticed that you didn't do so well.” He told her, handing back a sheet of paper.