Why We Laugh (#Wattys2018)

29. I Laughed Because I Was Trying to Be Cool

Oh my gosh!

I am so sorry. I have been crazy busy. I competed in a long speech and debate tournament where my coach said I needed to be personal. So I told my whole team and everyone else that I had an eating disorder in this speech about how perfectionism doesn't exist and is destroying us. I felt so embarrased and treated differently. Guess what! I got marked down for it being too personal.  

I may post my speech, let me know if you guys want to see it. 

Anyways...enough about me. 

I am so sorry, again.

I feel so bad.

And this chapter isn't as emotion-packed as the last and is kinda short, but I wanted to get something out for you guys.

29.

There was no sun out.

The day was cold, bitter and gray.

Grey.

I hate that color.

I really, really do.

Especially as the gray fog surrounded me as I entered onto school grounds.

A level of mist hung in the air and gathered on the stairwell railing.

I was late. But I didn't care.

I didn't care because no one has been responding to my texts. I tried texting Eliza to see if she is okay because last I heard they were taking her to the hospital.

Reece dropped his drapes so that I couldn't see him. By the time I was out of the house, he was long gone.

I know the word about last night probably spread.

I was unsure about how others will react.

As I approached my locker, a girl's voice called from behind me.

"Molly."

It was London. She was dressed very nicely in a maroon dress and golden earrings.

"Hi," I said, but my voice wavered, I was not in the mood.

"So...Ashton and I are hosting a club today at lunch. It's called Disabilities and Friends. We would love you to be there."

Her eyes were so wide with honor and pride. Ever since I saw her walk, there was an unspoken friendship between us. I talk to her in the halls and occasionally help her get around.

We're friends. And friends go to each other's sappy clubs.

"Of course," I put on a phony smile, "I would love to."

Her grin brightened, but not as bright as Eliza's was. No one can smile brighter than Eliza.

But London was pretty close with her pearly white teeth.

"Promise?"

I sighed, "Promise."

She rolled away, heading toward the front office.

Once she left the silence of the hallway returned. I could hear my footsteps as I closed the distance between me and the locker.

The intercom screeched loudly as I was at my locker.

The woman was telling us about how terrible and misbehaved we are.

Again, I didn't care.

Suddenly a familiar voice came onto the intercom.