"Lin!" Carleigh says, running up to me in the hallway, anxiously.
"Yeah?"
"Her bags gone and she's gone. She left her blazer so she'll freeze and her Latin book which is ridiculous but I wouldn't be surprised if she flipping memorized it anyways, just- she's not here." I stare at her for a moment, blinking at me. Suddenly I hear someone laugh behind me.
"She snuck out to go to school." Pippa says, still laughing.
"Where's Tommy?"
"Upstairs." I turn to the stairs and hurry up them.
"Tommy?"
"Yeah?" He asks, stepping in the hall, sensing my urgency.
"I need to get Ellie at school."
"I thought she was at the hospital."
"She went to school behind my back." He laughs.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm calling the school." I say as he continues to laugh.
"Lin, she didn't go to school. She's a sixteen year old girl on her own."
"Fifteen. And she's extremely dedicated."
"Just find her. Javi will rehearse. I'll see you tonight."
-
I look into the dull classroom with gray walls, a wooden floor, and a green chalkboard. Projected on the board is writing. A ton of it. Windows on the side have half the shades down. Students rigorously take notes and the teacher makes her way back and fourth across the room. I hear her speak for a moment as the woman opens the door and I catch sight of Elena when all the students look to the door.
"Elena Faye, please."
"Elena," The teacher says," You're excused."
"Gather your things please." Elena's eyes drift to me and then she closes her binder, puts it in her bad, zips it, standing.
"Chapter eleven questions, all sections, and a reflection on your Stalin essay due next class.
"Okay. Thank you, Ms.Wilson."
She turns around and leaves the room.
"Sign out in the office before you leave, Ms.Faye."
"Yes, Ma'am." She tells the lady who walked me to the room before she leaves. Once she is gone Elena turns to me.
"The cast is gonna make fun of you for the rest of your life. And it'll be a short one if you ever pull a stunt like that again."
"Like what? Going to school?" She turns and starts to the office.
"Elena!"
"Keep your voice down, It's a school."
"Don't be mad at me for taking you out of school after you spent the night in the hospital."
"Well everything is going to be so much harder. I'm only gonna get more stressed if my school work builds up."
"You have no sleep. What good is being here doing for you."
"I'm doing fine here."
"You're killing yourself."
"So is every other kid here."
"Not like you are."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. Look, I know that you don't see me as a guardian and that none of us have sent that message to you, nor do I really want to, but when it comes to your health, I have to remind you of it. I want to be your friend but I have to protect you."
"Protect me from what? A chance to get into school?"
"You're gonna get in. I can't believe you."
"Oh please tell me. What about me stumps you?"
"You're so self destructive. Can you consider anything else than a grade?" I grab a few bucks out of my pockets. "Take a bus or the subway. Just get home." She doesn't take it but turns around and walks away from me down the hall. I glance back and see a kid at his locker looking at her. When he sees me he looks back in to his locker.
