My name is... Valerie

Chapter 6: Your Nightmare's Back

~Valerie~

Yesterday... not my best. I forced myself to fight through my desire of calling AJ and push through my last two classes for that day art and Library aid. Once the dismissing bell rang I hurriedly made my way out relieved to see AJ's car waiting outside. The second we reach home AJ tried asking, I however wasn't in the mood to deal with AJ marching into school demanding something be implied to avoid the situation reoccurring. I simply dismissed my attitude by arguing I was tiered and had a lot to catch up on. Not a lie I had unbelievable amounts of notes to transfer and work to turn in. I spent the rest of my day in my room. AJ left around six to meet a friend, at some point I fell asleep and now here I lay confined in the warmth of my bed once again. Its Thursday morning, contemplating skipping school today maybe the rest of the week. I received texts from Julie and Lauren but finally they caved after my endless replies of 'I'm fine'. I heard a knock on my door.

"Val your going to be late if you don't get up now." That would be nice I thought. "Val you haven't talked much. You have been quite from the moment I picked you up. Did something happen? Because if it did I will-" As much as I would love to witness AJ's wrath, not something I needed at the moment. If I stayed it would merely confirm his suspicion over my experience yesterday in school.

"Its okay AJ I'm up now." I can deal with this Julie and Lauren both had one thought correct. It's a rumor nothing else in a couple of days hopefully by the start of next week it would die out and I will once again be the girl who sits in the back with the cool brother everyone knows and loves. I pulled out a white tank top and a black hoodie I could layer less under because it wasn't my intention to take of my hoodie. I opted for some light blue, highwaisted, skinny jeans and hi-top black converse. I tied my hair in a high ponytail then grabbed my backpack and went down stairs.

"Still no milk sorry I forgot to get groceries." AJ wasn't even looking at me he had his face buried in his phone.

"It's fine. Umm I think I will drive to school today I-" AJ snapped his head in my direction eyeing me closely.

"Why? Yesterday you wanted me to drive you. You asked me to do it for the rest of the week." I turned avoiding his gaze. "Valerie look at me." I hate it when he says my full name it makes me feel weird I've become accustom to hearing Val from him. He starts to walk in my direction across the kitchen so I direct my attention to him. "What happened yesterday in school? Why don't you want me to take you?"

"Nothing. I wanted to get back in the rhythm of things but, umm if your still on break then it would be nice to have you there. I don't want to bother you." he had stopped in the middle of the kitchen eyeing me, I knew insisting on going on my own would make him dubious, that something was wrong. It will pass I didn't want to make a scene over a rumor that will end soon it wasn't worth stressing over. 

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

I was seated in my statistics class back row closest to the window. I lost focus in the lecture and gazed out the window I could see the parking lot and school sign it was old, faded from the sun. On a light pole a hawk was resting at top stealthily, stalking any rodent to be caught off guard ready to striking down and flawlessly execute a hunt. I felt like a rodent hiding from the hawk or hawks I felt insecure in my own skin the desk and chair were doing a poorly job at making me feel barricaded from the world.

"Ms. Moore these notes will be important for quarter exams, I recommend at least coping them down." I looked to my right facing away from the window to come face to face with Mr. Anderson. I was glad he didn't call me out in front of the class but rather walked over while everyone worked on an example problem. I gave him a nodded that he returned with a small, sad, sympathetic smile. I have come tiered of those smiles he only walked over here because of my situation it bothered me to be treated this way it was a constant reminder of what I had lost. A reminder of my new life without my parents and it pained me to accept it. "Alright who has the answer to the problem." He turned to the class making his way towards the front when the door opened. "Aaron Varley you are 30 minutes late given today is your second day in my class and Tuesday was your first day in the school I am giving you a warning. Take a seat and copy the notes next time don't disrupt my class." I was to busy taking notes to even direct a look at the new student I heard a couple laughs from the students. It's funny he has the same last name my mother had and my cousin's- no, he lives in Califo- I was caught off when I heard his voice clarifying all doubts. It was him. I whipped my head in his direction.