Company

Chapter Four

I walked down the hallway, my sneakers making a nice "squeak-squeak" sound when they created traction with the floor. I needed a place to cool down. I liked the solidarity of being alone. There was something very sacred about it that I couldn't understand. Maybe it was that kind of mystery I liked to think about.

I know, I know, I'm a very weird person.

I found a little corner, illuminated by the sun. I sat down and took my backpack off, leaning against the wall. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. Ryan, Bree, and Violet were very into yoga, meditation, and herbal tea, and they were tying to give me some things to help me unwind. That involved a few soy, scented candles, a nature sounds CD, and a coupon to a local yoga place. Hmm, maybe I should go with them sometime. I wouldn't mind taking an hour or two and try to relax.

My next class was a "free block", which meant I could do whatever I wanted; leave campus, go to the library, use the school workout room, the possibilities were endless. I chose to hang out with Andrew out in the back of the school, where we drank root beer and ate Hostess I suppose he stole from the mini-mart. I think the poor man who runs the place has given up on stopping Andrew from stealing from him. Now he just turns a blind eye.

"This is truly a feast," I remarked, shoving a Twinkie into my mouth. I hadn't eaten a Twinkie in ages. My parents are grade-A health freaks. Sugared cereal, candy, ice cream, and so many other goodies are absent from our house. A while back, Andrew learned about my lack of artificial sugar and would slip me Hostess treats, Dorito chips, and Cadbury bars (fuck, Cadbury is the best. I could live off of Cadbury goodness for the rest of my life). My mom found my secret stash a while back and threw it out, then placing me on a strict detox diet. Without Andrew, I would be a twig. He keeps me from looking like an impoverished, third world child.

"Why, truly it is Lady Jane!" Andrew replied, in a very good, yet fake British accent. I laughed and took another bite of my Twinkie.

"Isn't the weather we're having delightful?" I tried to create an accent as good as his.

"God has blessed us with wonderful weather!"

Andrew was hilarious. He had a great sense of humor and knew the best ways to cheer others up. He wasn't some loner troublemakers, everyone liked him, even the teachers did. He just was very, very impulsive.

"But seriously, thanks for the goodies. I needed my Hostess fix for a while." I opened a bag of SnoBalls and took one out. I bit into it, like an apple, and smiled.

"No problemo. I actually bought these, so it makes them even more special."

I gasped. "You actually bought these? With money? No shoving them into your jacket?"

He grinned. "Yeah. I have a job now, and my mom thinks I should practice buying things with my own money. She says it might help. Whenever I have the urge to take something, I purchase something small, like a pack of gum or a bottle of water. I don't think it's the best method, but it works."

"Dude, I'm really, really proud of you. The small steps you're taking are awesome."

We stopped eating and began to divide the treats among us. I shoved my stash into my backpack and took a few more sips of root beer. The bell was going to ring soon and my literature class was at the other end of the school.

"What do you have next, again?" Andrew asked, pulling his backpack on. He shoved his hands into the pocket of his red hoodie, trying to warm them up. It was starting to get pretty cold.

"I have Honors Lit. I love it, except for the fact David's in that class with me."

"I'm sorry. Are things better between you two, or is there still a gap."