Darkness

School

Payton and I hadn't talked after I left her house which I guess was good because it gave us both time to think. I fell asleep Sunday night thinking of her, and I couldn't wait till I got to see her again.

I walked into the blue double doors as the first period bell rang, and walked up to my friends like we always did. Right between the gym doors and the cafeteria. As I was walking, I knew something was up so I changed my path and avoided my friends.

"Hey, Hope, wait up!" It was Bree's pitchy voice calling from behind me. I stopped in the hallway to wait for her to catch up and I noticed her black sneakers before the rest of her body got up.

"Yeah?"

"You didn't meet up at the group so we wanted to make sure if you were okay. Are you okay?"

"Umm, yeah. Sure."

"Awe babe what's wrong?" I always liked when she said that even though she said it to pretty much everyone. I guess "babe" was her phrase.

"Nothing's wrong. Just tired, and I didn't finish my homework." That seemed to be my on-going phrase now. That I was okay when I was far from it. Gosh where was Payton I really wanted to see her before I went to class.

"C'mon, something has to be up. You didn't respond to anyone this weekend and now you don't meet with us?" We made it to my locker, and I looked up at the clock."

"I'm sorry. I'll catch up with you later. I have to get to class."

"Tell me what's wrong sometime I Hope. I want to help." Didn't everyone.

I couldn't concentrate during math at all. Payton kept floating in my mind, and all I wished was that when I walked across the blue carpet she'd be coming down the hallway. We wouldn't be able to talk, but seeing her would make things better. Math teacher's rules meant that we wouldn't be able to have our phones on during class so I hadn't heard it when it Payton texted me.

"I'll be waiting by the guidance doors after first. Walk fast; I want to see you." God, she knew how to make my butterflies keep rising.

The bell rang, and I walked fast to make sure I wouldn't get stuck in the crowd between the science and the math wing. Turning left, my smile grew. I wanted to see her so badly even though it had been only yesterday.

"Hey."

"Hey, sorry I really wanted to see you," Payton turned to give me a hug. "I won't be able to see you until before band. Come down the hallway before you go to lunch?" She released me from our hug, and I started to walk away.

Three class periods and then I would see her again. That was too long; it sucked that our classes were on different sides of the school. I guess that was for the best though. If we were together more than the two classes in the afternoon, I doubt I'd be able to pay attention in class less than I already did.

Payton was wearing her grey Nike hoodie that I loved, and I wandered I she'd let me wear it after band.

French class was boring and confusing like always. Will I ever understand this language? Something about changing the past participle to go with the verb. "Hey, do you know what we're doing?" I whispered to my partner

"Yeah, I'll give you the notes later."

"Thanks so much."

When the bell rang I gathered my French binder and book off the table, and headed to the door. I hated having my second and third period on different sides of the building because it would always end with me speed walking down the hallways. I enjoyed the walks though because I wouldn't have to talk to anyone, and my mind could wonder to wherever it wanted to go. Today, however, my mind went to Payton. I needed to not do this to myself, but I couldn't help it. Yesterday made me happy, and I wished everyday was like this. One more period. Just one more period.