How Not To Survive In High School

6 - How Not To Start A Relationship

Jesus. What a hangover... I woke in my bed wondering if what happened yesterday was all a dream. But I didn't have to wonder for long as the whole of Sunday was spent receiving death stares from my parents.

Also Tom texted me. He just sent '....' meaning I had some explaining to do.

I'm so sorry Tom. I don't know what happened last night, I started.

I sure do, he replied fast. We spent four or five hrs together and you had already decided I wasn't good enough for you. You were so drunk I'm not surprised you wouldn't remember. Or care.

Already my eyes were starting to hurt. I blinked, a tear landing on my phone. That's not true. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me and I screwed it up like I always do. I'm so sorry... I don't know how to prove it to you.

There was a pause for what seemed like forever. I went to by bathroom to dry up my tears. I'm such a mess.

When I returned, I had a new message.

I'm sorry. I don't need to waste any more time on someone who's not going to give me anything back. Bye Sam.

I was about to defend myself until he blocked me.

It really is over. I blew my chance and I'm never going to have anyone else... As for Skye, I don't know. Am I supposed to be angry at him? God, I I'm so confused.

...

Oh no. School tomorrow. It's going to be far worse than usual.

But no, I told myself  I had to stay strong. What's done is done and I couldn't change it.

The next day I was ready to face the music. I felt like I was burning inside, physically and mentally, but I had to open the door to tutor. I sealed my eyes closed, held my breath and pressed down on the door handle.

I opened it to reveal a room of people cheering and chanting. "Heyy it's Sammie the Slut!" I told myself not to listen as I made my way to the back of the room.

"Watch where you're going, Arman," Jake said as his foot slipped out from his desk, my legs losing strength as I collapsed to the floor.

The tutor turned around at the commotion and said, "Be careful Sam. This isn't the first time you've lost your balance."

I narrowed my eyes frpm the dirty floor. How can he be so dim? I didn't let it bother me and told myself today was going okay so far compared to other days bareing in mind what happened with Tom and .... Skye.

There he was. Turns out he'd been banished to the back row with me. He had probably been through worse this morning.

He caught my glimpse and smiled at me. I ignored him and slammed my bag on my desk and sat down.
. So apparently I'm being angry at him. But why?

He started it. But I liked it. It's not your fault he snogged you. I could've stopped him though. No you couldn't, he's a pretty good kisser. He does this thing where he nibbles your bottom lip. It's better than I've had before. But who knows, Tom could've beaten him.

...Nah, I doubt it.

"Sam?" a voice said.

"Sorry sir," I said immediately but he wasn't looking at me. It was Skye from next to me.

"Sir?" he asked. "I'm flattered."

I tried not to pay him any notice but my heart was beating fast just at the sight of him.

"Come on, don't ignore me. Please?"

But as soon as the bell went I was quick to get out of the classroom. I didn't want whatever we had next, so I went off to my cubicle in the toilets.

"Sammie, Sammie, Sammie..." Stacey greeted me. I ignored he and went into my cubicle but before I could shut the door she held my arm.

"You were busy last night, weren't you?"

Again, I tried to answer but I didn't know what to say.

"You've always confused me, Arman. I always put you into the 'loser' category but you never caught me as a 'player'."

"Why are you interested? You're not jealous are you?" My eyes widened at what I'd just said... to Stacey.

"Why would I be? Skye is such a dick and now he has a girlfriend who's just the same."

She slammed the door on my hand and stormed out of the bathroom. Ouch. That actually hurt quite a bit.

I went out to the sinks until I heard the door again. Rushing back into my cubicle the person said, "Don't hide, it's just me."

"Skye?! What are you doing in here?" I laughed, genuinely surprised.

"I saw Stacey run out crying so I guess I had de ja vu."

I stopped laughing. I knew we were gonna have to talk about this some time. Could I avoid it?

Looking around for something to distract myself with, I noticed a mark on his arm. Pulling up his sleeve, I revealed so many cuts and scars.

"They're fresh," I observed, my mouth wide open. Skye slapped of my hand and pulled his sleeve down again.

"Why?"

He seemed speechless. His eyes wondered for a bit before he pulled up my sleeve to reveal more. "Don't turn this to me, Skye. These are old. You did this at the weekend, didn't you. Was it Stacey or...?"

"Everyone. I forgot to block their numbers. I got a pretty bad inbox to check last night. And my parents don't know about anything. They just think I'm a stroppy teenager."

"You are."

He laughed. "I wish I had your life."

"Oh no you don't. My parents are kind of the same. But before I moved schools in the end of year nine, it was a tough life in England. They moved me here because of it and now they think I'm fitting in. I think they'd have a heart attack if I told them what's been going on."

"My parents... they..."

"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. I just don't want you doing that anymore," I gestured towards his arms.

"I don't need you to protect me, I'm fine, seriously."

"Give me your number."

"What?"

"Give me your number. Whenever you feel like doing that again, call me."

"I don't need your-"

"Just gimme it."

Why I did it, I don't know. But he did call me. Many times. And what surprised me the most is that his scars got older. Sure, they would never disappear, but they weren't fresh anymore and I'd made a difference, for sure.