Rejection Hurts On Both Sides

Chapter 13: Rule Number 389

Chapter 13: Rule Number 389

I trudge through the hallway, with my eyes dreary with fatigue and my dark hair in tangles. As yet another student does a double take, I thank my lucky stars that my acne has subsided (and my period along with it).

“Hi Kayla,” I greet the student hoarsely, and without waiting for a reply, I walk on. I know I look like I’ve met Death, but can they at least pretend I look pretty?

I mean, if they’re staring because of my gorgeousness, then by all means, keep staring.

Out of the corner of my vision, I spy a particular boy staring at me with an unreadable gaze, his preppy companion oblivious to the happenings.

His piercing blue eyes never falter, and I feel like he can read my thoughts.

‘Stay away from me,’ I try to communicate mentally. ‘Don’t even look at me, you dimwit.’

If you want him to do that, maybe you should stop looking at him, my conscience states bluntly. Don’t be a hypocrite.

I grumble, but comply, ignoring him completely. I start muttering profanities under my breath, fully aware of the state of my voice.

I mean, it’s been two weeks since my embarrassing emotional outburst in front of Nate, and my monotone voice is slowly returning to my normal voice.

But right now, it’s still in the strained, tired, I-will-kick-your-ass-if-you-irritate-me voice.

“Agatha!”

I stop, recognizing the voice… then I shrug and continue walking.

“Agatha!”

“Hey Jared,” I reply slowly, turning to look at my friend. “Have you seen Evan today?”

I get a shrug in response. “How would I know?” The dark haired boy snorts. “Aren’t you supposed to be joined at the hip?”

I roll my eyes playfully. “Somebody’s jealous…” I sing-song- well, I try to sing out the line, and my voice cracks just the tiniest bit.

But Jared isn’t wrong. For the past two weeks, I’ve been hanging out with Evan, and I’ve still been avoiding Maria. Anna’s been giving me weird looks, and I’ve pretty much blended into the lower rungs of the social ladder- being Miss Fisher’s assistant has taken up most of my time, so I haven’t done anything troublesome- probably a blessing to the rest of Crimson Glade Academy.

“Jealous? You wish,” says Jared. We keep on walking through the hallways, aiming to get to our lockers.

I tsk at him. “I think that’s your wish.” We finally stop before a locker- Jared’s locker, to be precise.

“Well,” Jared whistles. “Here’s my stop. See you later.”

I nod my head, and continue to walk, looking for my locker. I finally reach it and crack the metal door open, and start grabbing a few books. Apparently, our history teacher decided on making us bring our textbooks to class, and if we forget, we get a deduction in our grade- in the recitation area. And we have two textbooks on history.

How wonderful.

“We need to talk.”

I drop the books in my hands, startled at the voice. I look to see her giving me an apologetic look. She quickly picks up the books before I even move, handing them over to me.

“Uh… um…” I really am at a loss for words. Instead of giving a speech filled with emotions and violent jabs, all I settle with is, “Huh?”