Broken Vessels

| Chapter VIII- Cole |

| October 16, 2017 |

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And I'm back with a new chapter. I apologize for not posting anything last week. I got caught up with other things and simply wasn't in the  mood to post. But I'm posting now and I hope you  like this chapter :)

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| Chapter VIII- Cole |

*I hate that I'm still hoping. -Anonymus*

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A couple more minutes. That's all that was left of this class. Then I could go hide away for my next free period. To go and calm down. The class has been quite busy. Mrs. Jordans already had us getting assignments done. She even told us she had this project coming up. This woman really was something fearsome. Not as bad as some other people though.

"Okay before we finish up here, I want to hand something out. No complaining, no questions, nada," she began as she walked around the classroom, slapping down papers on the desk. People would groan and grumble and I frowned as I tilted my head to the side. What was she doing?

She suddenly appeared in front me and slapped a paper on my desk before moving on. I picked it up and turned it over, eyes reading the name on the paper. Seating Partner starting tomorrow: Veronica Dayton.

My eyes wandered to the girl named and found her already looking at me. She had no smile nor disgust written on her face. She kept her face neutral, making it difficult for me to read what she was thinking. 

We had a silent staring contest for a couple more seconds before the bell rang and she offered the smallest of smiles. Then she grabbed her packed bag and disappeared from the room in a flash.

I blinked while everyone else followed her out the classroom. That girl was something else as well. I didn't know what to make of her. She was all up in my mind after our encounter this morning and I didn't even know why.

Maybe it was because she was stubborn in the less annoying way. Maybe it was the vulnerability I saw in the classroom before the start of class. The way she seemed to have something on her mind. The way she seemed tensed and panicking. Like she had something urgent on her mind.

"Cole?" a voice asked and I startled. I tensed and stood up abruptly, knocking my chair over in the process, startling even Mrs. Jordans.

"Sh**," I whispered and Mrs. Jordans raised a brow. "Sorry ma'am. You scared me," I added.

"It's okay. That was my fault. Are you alright?" she asked with worry in her eyes. I immediately hid my inner emotions and I straightened up.

"Yeah. I'm fine," I replied coolly and she seemed a bit taken aback. But it didn't matter. Can't let anyone get close or even close to close.

"Oh. Okay. Then, see you tomorrow," she offers and I simply walk off, not caring if that was rude or not.

I made my way out of the school gates and walked towards the back of the school where no one would bother me. I could enjoy the peace and quiet alone without fear of having anyone sneak up on me. Most other people wouldn't be found here.

"What's the matter Cindy? Slow down and explain properly," I suddenly heard. That voice sounded familiar. I peeked over the wall and saw Veronica pacing forwards and backwards while on the phone.

Her brows were pulled together and she was biting on the tip of her thumb while holding her phone in place with the other hand. I slightly frowned at her actions. Something seemed wrong.

"Okay. Um, let me get a note from the principal and I'll be right there. Don't move at all. And make sure Caleb sits still," she said on the phone before hanging up and muttering a curse under her breath. 

She ran a hand through her long locks in frustration before doing a breathing technique I've done one too many times. "Okay. Be calm. No panicking. Don't let anyone see something's wrong. You're just not feeling well. Everything will be okay," she muttered before tucking her phone in her back pocket and leaving.

I leaned back in my spot and covered my face with my hand. What did I just witness? Whatever. It wasn't my problem. But maybe...

Snap out of it Cole. She couldn't possibly understand. You're alone in this. Stop being so hopeful. Hope is for the weak, I chastised and I sighed, feeling even lonelier than before. I didn't know why I tortured myself like that. Always hoping and believing someone out there, near me, was experiencing things I did.

Obviously I wasn't alone but most of the time, people had stable homes and a lifestyle whether they thought so or not. Not everyone was perfect but not everyone was struggling like me. And someone like Veronica Dayton, who was all smiles, was surely in that category.

But that phone call. That breathing technique. That self-talk. It can't just be a coincidence, my nicer voice stated. I groaned.

"All I wanted was silence," I whispered as I dragged my hand down my face. I then winced. My wrists were still sore. I gazed down at them and flashes of last night infiltrated my memories. Of course they would. It's something that has become a daily occurrence for me. I just hoped it wouldn't happen too much now.

I leaned my head back against the brick wall and closed my eyes, tucking my hands in my pocket. I silenced my mind and stomped out the foolish hope I was feeling. There was no way, she of all people, would understand me.

I sat in silence for the next twenty minutes. Nothing bothered me. No one disturbed me. Until the bell rang that is. I peeled myself off the wall and made my way back into the school, dreading the next few hours. 

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Lo siento. I'm sorry. I know it's short. But please vote, comment, and share!