Story Told By Nobody

Chpt. 12

5 Reasons Why

"Emma! Why didn't you tell me you made a new friend? .. and a boy too??" She squeals quietly because we're still close enough to Noah and Trinity to where they could hear if we talked loud enough.

"What are you talking about?" Is all I can say in my confusion. Did she see us talking? Of course she saw us talking! How else would she get the idea that we're friends?

"Your new friends!" She yells this a little louder, obviously not being able to contain her excitement.

I quickly turn around and close the door, cheeks red with embarrassment.

"Ms. Margaret.. they can hear you. And I didn't tell you because I actually don't have a new friend." I say confidently.

She looks at me skeptically, "then what was that," she gestures to the door, "out there.. in the hall." I start to answer but she interrupts. "Because, to me, it looked a lot like you talking and laughing with a boy."

I shrug like it's not a big deal. Like me talking to a boy- no- a human my age, is normal. Which it obviously isn't, but it's not like I'm going to admit that.

"He's not a friend, just an annoying new guy who was having trouble with his locker."

She still looks unconvinced, so I do what any other smart, mature person would do in this situation. I leave, avoiding the inevitable awkward conversation.

Maturely, of course.

"Well, I don't want to be late for... yeah.. so I'm going.. to go.. yeah." With a nod, I speed walk out the door.

Only, as I leave, Ms. Margaret's voice follows, her words leaving a feeling of dread in my stomach. "Okay, you do that! Don't worry, we'll finish the conversation later.. and I'll make sure to find out more about this 'annoying new guy'."

-"-"-"-

The next day, Noah isn't at school.

His fans seem to survive a little better without him, less on edge.

My mind still burns with curiosity.

I don't why. He could be sick for all I know. Or maybe even ditching. So I shouldn't be worrying.

I shouldn't be worrying at all, even if there was something to worry about. We're not friends. We're barely even acquaintances. He's just the annoying new guy.

My stomach churns with anxiety at the thought of my conversation with Ms. Margaret yesterday. 'We'll finish the conversation later.' She had said with a teasing grin; a promise of an interrogation disguised as a 'friendly conversation'. But we can both see the wolf beneath the sheep's clothing; this 'conversation' will consist of many personal questions and will not end in my favor. Ms. Margaret will believe what she wants to believe, no matter how much I tell her otherwise.

I lay my head in my arms on my desk with a silent groan. She'll probably even tell my mom.

Yep. Ms. Margaret is also friends with my mom. Weird, right? Ever since the parent/ teacher conference they had freshman year. They exchanged numbers and became best friends.

So, technically, my mom and I have the same best friend... it's strange to think about.

The bell suddenly rings, startling me. I look down to see a mess of papers still on my desk and work to stuff them into my binder.