17 Stars

Chapter 5

Chloe's POV
Today's the day I go back to school since the whole hospital incident and I am not thrilled. It's going to be just like all of the other times I was admitted into the hospital where I get bombarded with questions as soon as I walk through the front door. I roll onto my back in bed and sigh, looking at the glowing stars on my ceiling that I've had since I was a kid. I put one star for every person that I love throughout the years.

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One for my strong, brave father, who would do anything for my brother and I. One for my mother, who was the strongest person I knew and who was-no-is my ultimate role model. Was. One for my over protective, but still the best older brother, Brandon. One for my kind and caring Oma Mabel. One for my stubborn yet charismatic Opa Louis. One for my lunatic of a best friend, Crystal. One for my hilarious comedian of an uncle, Uncle Chris. Another one for my Aunt Jessica, who I can depend on to make me feel like I'm the best person in the world when I am actually the worst. Two for my little Emily and Jacob who brighten my day every time I see them. One for my witty and clever Uncle Matt. One for my fashionista Aunt Ashley. Two for my other little cousins Andrew and Madison, whom I love very much. Last but not least, two for my engaged Aunt and almost Uncle Nicholas and Samantha. I smile at the thought of my big yet beautiful family. Tears well up in my eyes when I realize that soon the darkness that's impending will be here and the demon inside of me that's slowly wrapping my entire body like a tangle of vines will completely cover me and I won't be Chloe Winters anymore. No more family. No more friends. No more life. I will be nothing. "What's wrong?" says a voice that I recognize easily. I nearly jump out of my skin and fall out of bed. I look up from the floor to see Josh's face red with laughter, sitting in my desk chair. "You scared the hell out of me!" I yelled while he's still dying of laughter. "I'm sorry," he manages to get out between laughs. "Why are you in my room anyway," I say crossing my arms. He composes himself and takes a deep breath. "I'm taking you to school because your father doesn't want you to drive," he says smugly. Looks like the old Josh is back. No more seriousness or pity from him for a while. Thank goodness. "Well then get out! I need to get ready!" I say pushing him out of my room and locking the door. I throw on a Rolling Stones t shirt and a pair of jeans that are ripped at the knees. I brush my hair and teeth, apply a minimal amount of makeup, and sling my backpack over my shoulder. I head downstairs and see my dad, Brandon, and Josh sitting around the table eating breakfast. My favorite boys. Nope! Not doing that today! I sit down next to Brandon and eat breakfast, only joining the conversation when I'm needed. "We're going to be late for school, Chloe. Thanks for breakfast Daniel," Josh says standing up. "No problem, Joshua," my dad says as I kiss his cheek. "Bye dad, bye Brandy," I say as I walk out the door. We walk to Josh's car and he holds the door open for me. "Madame,"he says bowing. I roll my eyes and he has his signature smirk plastered on his face. He starts the car and turns on the radio. I live about 10 minutes away from Woodside Highschool- 18 minutes walking if you're fast enough. Somebody Else by The 1975 flows through the car as I hum along. "1975 fan?" he says looking at me from the corner of his eye. "You could say that," I say shrugging. That was an under statement. He should see the poster and pictures in my closet. I hide my smile with my hand as we pull up to school. It's only the fourth day of my senior year and I have already missed three and a half out of four of those days. I sigh and exit the car with Josh. The hallways are packed with people trying to get to their lockers and class. I wave goodbye to Josh and head over to my locker all the way at the end of the hallway. I squeeze past the groups of people and ignore the whispers that are falling from their lips. My pace becomes quicker and quicker until I am almost sprinting through the crowd with burning eyes. I finally make it to my locker and fumble with my lock with shaking hands. I finally get it open and I hide my face in the locker. Deep breaths Chloe. I grab my black pencil case, my The 1975 decorated spiral notebook, history textbook, and my grey homework folder, all while looking at the pictures on the door of my locker. I have pictures of all of my family from Christmas and some pictures of me with the group. I slam my locker door shut and start heading to AP History.

Luckily, I'm not late to class and I sit down at my desk in the front corner next to Josh. He leans over and asks me, "You okay?" I give him a small smile and say, "Hallway gossiping sucks." He makes an o shape with his mouth and leans back in his seat. I'm glad he didn't press on that subject. Mr. Walters walks into the classroom and sets the stack of papers in his arms down on his desk. "Hello class. And welcome back Ms. Winters," he says and I nod my head once. "We will be starting a beginning of the year project that I like to do in the start of school today. You will be put in groups of two and you will each ask ten questions towards your partner. You will record it on a piece of paper and return it to me by Monday. At the end of the year, you will ask the same questions and see how your partner has changed throughout their senior year." Mr. Walters explains handing out a piece of paper with everything he just said. "Have fun doing this! It's a favorite from the past years." He says smiling. "Now for partners." Please god put me with someone decent. "Look at the person next to you and that is your partner." I look over at Josh with an annoyed groan and he looks at me with a smirk. Why oh why did I choose this seat. He leans over and says,"Looks like we're partners, Bambi," he says grinning. "Did you just call me Bambi?" I said dumbfounded. "You have this sort of innocent looking thing happening with your face," he says. I look at him like he just said the dumbest thing ever. Oh wait! He did. I put my head down on my desk and groan. Oh boy.
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I'm back! Again! I'm like the worst updater ever😂 Whoops☹️
-Ava🌹