She's still standing.

Welcome Back

Chapter 44

Monday. A day we all hated. I woke up with my earbuds tangled around me. My hair was so messy because I didn't dry it last night. I woke up and went downstairs to eat some breakfast. And then I realized I was all alone for my return back to school. I called Noah up to see if he'd be down to drive me and he sounded delighted to. I was still replaying last night over and over in my head.
I went back upstairs to change. I didn't know what to wear and honestly no one would care. I threw on a white tee with a red and black flannel around my waist. I added some black ripped skinny jeans and black converse. With a long counterfeit gold necklace. My hair was fucked up so I just put it in a low pony tail.

There was about 30 minutes before Noah came so I took my time to get ready. I brushed my teeth, and washed my face.

I checked my phone for any new messages. I found a couple. One from Celia reading: we still on for after school? I replied back with a thumbs up emoji because i definitely did not feel like actually talking to her.

A text from Mom saying Summer had just woken up and she was still doing great. She attached a selfie of her and Summer. I chuckled when I saw it. I was so glad Summer was okay.

As I set my phone down it began to ring. Noah.
"Hey Baby girl"

"Hey Babe what's up? Need something?"

"Nope. Just wanted to tell you how amazing last night was. And that I love you so much."

"I know. I keep thinking about it. It was so incredible. And I love you too." I laid down in my bed.

"Well, I'll be there in 5 minutes Baby. See you soon." He hung up. I grabbed my backpack, phone, and keys and headed downstairs to the porch to wait for Noah, like usual. He pulled up and I got in. I grabbed his hand and wrapped my fingers around his.

"Last night." I said. "I've never felt so good about anything. Ever."

"Shailey, I feel the same way. I love you." He said kissing the back of my hand. I blushed and then felt his hand tense up.

"What's wrong?" I asked him looking right at him while his eyes were on the road.

"Did we use a..you know--last night?" he questioned.

"yes." i laughed "it's okay, don't worry we did." I said reassuringly. I felt his hand slowly relax.

"How's Summer doing?" He asked after a long silent pause.

"She's doing good." I told him "She'll be back on her feet in no time. I'm actually going to go visit her after I meet with Celia." I looked at the floor of the car.

"Oh. Okay." he said "do you need me to pick you up, or drive you there?"

"yes please, pick up." i said. "Celia and I are walking to Alejandro's, but you can meet me there at about 4:45. Her parents are picking her up from there since her car has been confiscated." I said to him.

"Okay. 4:45. Got it." He said checking to make sure he got the time right.

We were now 30 seconds away from school. I could see it in my sights. All the people walking in.
20 seconds. my heart pounded out of my chest. i started breathing longer harder breaths.
10..i could see license plates on cars and the lines of the parking lot.
5.. i could see the hair on people's heads and the zits on their faces. my heart raced my hands sweat and my stomach turned.
0.. Noah parked the car and waited for me to get out. He grabbed my hand and told me it was going to be alright. We walked through the parking lot and stopped at the doors. "Are you sure?" He asked me.
"Yep..." I waked through the doors and it felt like the whole world stopped. Everyone stared at me. Whispering things to each other. I walked down the steps through what seemed to be a sea of people because they all parted like the Red Sea parted for Moses. I walked to my locker and told Noah it was okay to leave me. I got out my history stuff. Noah wasn't in this class with me, He had gym first. I walked to Mr. Changer's room and sat in the front corner.
"Shailey, it's nice to have you back." He said looking up from his desk.

I was the first one to class. I had a lot to catch up on. I did all the work my teachers gave to Noah. He'd bring it to the hospital for me, but I'd have to make up a bunch of tests and quizzes. I gathered all my history assignments from the past five (ish) months and handed it to him.
"Thank you." He said putting it in a basket labeled "Need to be graded"

In a couple minutes the bell rang and everyone started filing into the classroom. He went to write something on the board and I felt someone tap on my shoulder. They handed me a note: you're such a failure. killing yourself didn't even go right for you.

I crumbled up the note, clenched it in my fist and ran to the bathroom. I made sure no one was in there before I sank to the floor and started crying. I heard someone enter the bathroom, I tried to stop my tears but they wouldn't.

"Shailey?" I heard a voice say.

"Who wants to know?" I managed to get out through the sniffles and tears.

"Come out." I opened the door. It was the guidance counselor, Mrs. Brown. "Mr. Changer sent me. He told me you ran out of the class. What happened?" I handed her the note. "Who gave this to you?!?" She asked concerned.

"I don't know who wrote it." I said wiping my eyes.

" I'll figure it out. But for know, do you want to give class another chance, or do you want to stay in my office for a while?" She asked

I thought about it. And I decided to give it another chance. I walked down the hallway again. Making sure it didn't look like I was crying. I walked confidently across the room and took my seat in the front. Everyone looked shocked to see me back after that. What seemed like a whole lifetime passed before class ended. I waited to leave until everyone else was gone. I went out to my locker and got my language arts stuff, Celia was in this class along with Noah. I waited for him at my locker and decided not to tell him about History Class.
"Cmon Shay." He said loudly waiting by the door to the classroom.

"Nice to have you again, Shailey." Said Mrs. Darrell. Everyone stared at me...again. This is going to happen in every class i thought to myself.  I groaned and rolled my eyes. Noah and I sat next to each other. And Celia sat across the room from us, I could see her keep glancing at me every once in a while. And by every once in a while I mean she didn't take her eyes off of me. She was staring at me like I was the last piece of pizza at the party. She was creeping me out.
I got up and handed Mrs. Darrell all my homework. And at the same time Celia had to ask Mrs. Darrell a "question" about the homework. But I knew she was just trying to get close to me...literally. She smiled at me as I walked back to my seat and I gave her a little smirk. I could tell she wanted to be friends again, but I couldn't, but I would talk to her to try and find out why she did this. First she stole my crush (which doesn't even matter anymore because I have Noah) then she cyber bullied me and she didn't even fucking care. NOW she wants to apologize? I don't know what to believe anymore. But I'm still going to meet her anyway to hear what she has to say.

The rest of the day was just a bunch of people giving me dirty looks, whispering behind my back, and laughing. The only person who kept me from leaving school was myself. I knew I had to be strong, And show people that what happened is behind me and I'm stronger than ever now.

xxxxx
hey guys. currently at school bored in study hall. i hate this place but oh well.

two more classes after this. sigh.

anyway this chapter is rough. hope it's decent enough.

peace and blessings.

byeeeee.