The Project

Chapter 20

                                            "Mrs. Griff"

            When I woke up for school on Tuesday I felt dread come over me. I hadn’t spoken to Aidan since the day of the carnival but I would have to today. We had marriage counseling. With a sigh I dragged myself out of bed and over to my closet. I grabbed the first pair of jeans I could find and a plain gray t-shirt. I threw my hair up into a severely messy ponytail before throwing on my shoes and grabbing my things.

            Once I was done I ran to the kitchen and grabbed a pop tart before stepping outside and sitting on my front steps to wait for Amber. Ever since our falling out at the Carnival Amber had been bringing me to school. I didn’t even go to work the day before. I just didn’t want to see him. Every time I did my chest hurt.

            A honk pulled me from my thoughts and I jumped up to go get in Amber’s car. We didn’t say anything the whole way to school. Since Saturday I hadn’t been saying much of anything to anyone. I could see them giving me worried looks and whispering amongst themselves. It didn’t bother me though. I couldn’t seem to make myself care.

            We pulled into the schools parking lot and I climbed out of the car. Silently I walked into the gym and sat on the bleachers. After a little bit Josh sat down beside me but didn’t say anything. I sighed and turned towards him to let him know that I would listen to what he had to say.

            “Why didn’t you come to work yesterday,” he asked.

            “I didn’t want to see him,” I said simply.

            “I understand that. Between you not showing up and Aidan showing up looking like shit, you have Mrs. Riley worried.”

            “We’ll be fine. We have counseling this morning,” I said with a sarcastic smile.

            “Will you be at work today?”

            “I don’t know. It depends on how everything goes this morning.”

            “If it makes you feel better he looks miserable.”

            “It doesn’t but thank you.”

            “Why are you two acting like this,” he asked exasperatedly.

            “He’s the one who is the giant ass.”

            “I know. I know. He is just….difficult.”

            “It doesn’t matter,” I said before the bell rang.

            When it did I practically ran to my class in order to get away from Josh. I know that he was only trying to help but I did not want to talk or think about Aidan. It made me depressed. I walked into my first hour class and avoided looking at the back of the room. I knew he was there because I could feel his eyes on me. I chose to ignore him as I took my seat beside Amber and looked straight ahead. I could hear Amber sigh but I paid her no mind.

            As soon as the bell rang telling me first hour was over I got up and walked out of the room quickly before he could catch up to me. Not five minutes after I sat down in second hour though, was my name being called to go to Mrs. Griff’s office. With a sigh I grabbed my things and made my way slowly to her room.