Fluctuat nec Mergitur

Chapter 10

*Max's POV*

I was angry. I didn't know why, but I didn't think that mattered. Maybe it was an after affect of being weirdly ditzy yesterday. I also couldn't sleep last night, worse than normal anyway. I really need to get over these nightmares. I don't remember what's wrong with me but it can't be that bad.

"What's got you looking like that?" Lauren breezed into the small bedroom. "Are you not going to school?"

"I don't want to." I said, giving her a look.

"Well, here's news. You have to go. Leave the house, would you?" She pointed to the door.

"I don't have to listen to you." I didn't budge.

"Oh, stop it." She stomped her foot slightly. "Just go to school."

"Why should I?" I crossed my arms. There's nothing for me there, at least besides my friends. And Jude, who I don't know what to think about.

"How about this? If you don't stop being a brat, then I'm going to take you out the door myself."

"You really scare me." I said sarcastically. Lauren looked ready to give up.

"Listen, Max. If anything, just make sure that Dani's okay. I'm afraid that if you're not there with her, she's gonna get hurt." She sighed. "I don't even care about your classes. Just take care of her."

"Fine." I stood up. "Happy?"

"Yes. Now just don't run into Christina on your way out. I don't want you two decimating each other." She raised her eyebrows.

"I'm gonna kill her." I muttered under my breath.

"Max, come on. Go to school." Lauren rolled her neck.

*

Dani walked up the stairs to the second floor. I stood at the bottom, conflicted as to what I should be doing. It's gotten to the point where all of my teachers would prefer it if I were to stay out of their classes. The French teacher, Mrs Mish, tries to handle it, but I don't want to give her any more trouble than I already have.

So I'll skip. Again. I have no reason to even come to school anymore if I'll just cut all my classes.

"Max! There you are." I heard a voice from behind me, but I didn't want to turn around even though I knew it was Jude. I got pulled by the hand and almost fell over. "Come on, the principal is coming. Class already started." I hadn't heard the bell.

"I'm capable of moving by myself." I shook off his hand, even though I didn't really want to. "Where are we going?"

"The auditorium." Jude shrugged, speaking quietly. I have no idea why he's here. He's usually in class, or so I thought.

"Why?" I looked around. A member of office personnel passed us in the hall, barely bothering to look at us.

"Got anything better to do?" He opened the door to the auditorium.

"I thought you'd be in class." I stepped inside, and the world became a lot quieter. No more people talking, no more heating systems humming, no more movement. It was dead silent in the rows of seats.

"Why do you think I wanna sit in class with a bunch of idiots? You're not the only one." He pulled on the triangle on his shirt.

"Mine's uglier." I eyed it. He laughed.

"I don't want to be in class and they don't want me in there." He shrugged. "What can I say?"

"At least you don't get kicked out." I suggested, sitting in a chair near the end of the row in the upper half of the seating area.