Fighting the Wolves

Chapter Twelve

The first thing to wake me up is the stinging pain in my arm from the night before. Every time I relapse I just hate myself more and more.

I groan as I sit up in my bed, glancing at my bandage before rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I feel like crap. Plain and simple. I'm not sick, I'm just not up for anything today; Especially school. However, that's not exactly a choice since I already skipped a couple days of school due to a certain someone. He who must not be named.

Remembering I still don't have glasses, I lazily walk over to my dresser, and grab my black joggers, a grey t-shirt, and due to last night, I grab a zip up hoodie; Even though it's still warmish outside. I do the usual: Brush my teeth, put on deodorant, put on my clothes, and do a quick brushing of my short hair, then run it over with some anti-frizz otherwise I'll look like I came out of the 70's with my Afro. I honestly don't even bother with makeup, especially today.
Grabbing my school bag and phone, I head out into the hallway, intending to just pass the kitchen and out the door, but I'm not that lucky.

"Amy, don't leave without breakfast!" My mom calls out, stopping me in my tracks just as I'm reaching for the front door. I sigh as I walk back into the kitchen and open the pantry, grabbing the first package of breakfast biscuits I can find. Thankfully, they're chocolate.
"I'll eat on my way to school, I woke up a bit late so I gotta go," I wave as I jog out the door, avoiding any talks about what happened not too long ago.

I begin my journey to school, eating my measly biscuits along the way. I try not to think about my life so far, but of course those damp morning walks are just the perfect time to have an existential crisis.

Yay me.

~*~

I arrive in the school lot just eight minutes before the bell rings. I'm not late, but I'm not exactly early either. I usually get here early to hang out with Lexi, and she's probably both pissed and worried.
I notice a figure lying underneath the tree I sat under yesterday, just as I'm about halfway across the parking lot. They seem to be asleep. I walk over, deciding to be a decent human being and warn them about the time before I head inside.

"Hey dude, you've got like, seven minutes till—" I pause when I see the face.

Why is it always me, I swear to God.
I don't believe in luck, but this is just the worst.
What did I do to deserve this?

Jackson opens his eyes from his nap, looking up at me from sleepy, squinted eyes. His eyes widen a bit when he realizes it's me.

"Hi." Is all he says, sitting up against the tree, pretending as if he wasn't just passed out under a tree. Honestly very, very coincidental that he chose to nap under the tree that I was sitting under yesterday.
"Um," I fiddle with the ends of my sleeves, making sure they cover my wrists, "School starts in about six minutes, I thought I'd let you know so you didn't get in trouble." I ramble the last part as fast as I can before nodding and turning away towards the school.

My fists are completely clenched, holding onto the ends of my hoodie as I walk into the school and head towards my first hour. I walk into Mrs. Orringer's room and tensely sit down at my desk. Everyone else is already in their seats, all of them talking loudly since the teacher hasn't arrived yet.

I swear to God, can these people get any louder?
It's 6:55 a.m. who has this much energy in the morning?
Im soooo not a morning person, I wish anything before at least 10 a.m. didn't exist.
AT LEAST.