Forgive

"Take care" Henry, Amber's father, told her awkwardly. She just looked straight ahead, her face expressionless as usual.

She didn't say anything. She never did, actually. She just opened the door and grabbed her backpack, slinging it over her small shoulder.

"Amber!" Her father called. It took her a minute to decided if she wanted to look at him again or not. She turned.

He looked at her through the passenger's window and yelled "I love you!" She just looked at him emotionlessly, gave him her back, and started walking towards the school's gates.

Her steps grew weaker as she went up the stairs to the school's large gates. Amber tried to look strong and content in front of her father. But as soon as he goes away, she feels like just falling, letting all her outrageous emotions out.

She walked through the halls that were now empty since the first class of the day had already started and she thought of how great of a first impression she made already, but that didn't really matter to her. She just wanted an escape from her father and this was her only choice.

In between her anxiety and the halls' suffocating atmosphere, a person she knew and trusted jumped in front of her. She was startled before she realized it was Nick. He smiled cheerfully and she finally breathed.

"Hey" he greeted and she smile. She waved and he smiled wider. "I have to go now, good luck on your first day, Amberline" he said and she frowned.

"I'll see you at lunch, alright?" he told her and she nodded before he walked away.

Amber continued her way to her new class, the anxiety and fear from earlier quickly washing over her once again. She felt judged and unsafe when Nick wasn't around her. As she walked away, Nick turned to see her go. He smiled and went his own path.

Amber looked for 10th Grade which is her class and where she thought would be spending the school year dealing with people who are happier than her, have no problems like she does, and most of all, people that just don't understand her. Except Nick. Nick was and will always be an exception. Amber often wondered why he understood even though he'd been through nothing similar to hers. But she would soon stop and just be thankful that someone's out there to listen.

She knocked the door nervously and looked inside. Everyone got quiet and stared at her. It made her panic just slightly, but she managed to keep it that way.

"Come in!" Her new teacher called and she did as told.

"Introduce yourself" the teacher commanded and Amber took a deep breath before speaking.

"Hello everyone, I'm Amber Hailey, and I look forward to studying with all of you", she forced out the words. She tried to grin, but all she could give was a slight smile.

"Welcome here, Amber" her teacher greeted as she walked to an empty desk in the very back of the classroom. She felt at ease more than like a castaway, actually.

The first class went by. Then the second and third. Then it was lunch time. She stood at the entrance to the lunch hall looking for Nick, but he wasn't there. She turned around and walked outside, sat under a tree and ate her food quietly in hope of him finding her.

She looked around the school's campus. Tall trees scattered everywhere creating a contrast between them and the city's dark buildings and stuffy air. Her view was blocked by a smiling Nick. He tossed his lunch paper bag to the floor next to her before sitting down.

"How's your day so far?" He asked and she shrugged.

"I don't want to stay here nor go home. I wish I had somewhere in between" she admitted and he frowned at her, thinking of a reply.