Player 1 Player 2

Chapter 2 pt.4

Cloud returns to the class and sits back down. I don't tell him what happened but I can tell Emily and Peggy saw but didn't hear, Peggy might have heard. I see Emily hold up a small paper with the words I'm sorry written. I wave her off and give her a smile saying everything is okay, even if it's not I can't bring myself to put anyone else into this problem. Ms. Roya explains the situation to the class and the expectations before we all start heading for the buses, our class is big enough to have a bus to ourselves instead of sharing a bus with another class or grade. But it's not the best thing for me. We take our seats in the bus, me and Cloud are a few of the last kids so we sit near the front. Eliza, Emily, and Peggy are the last ones on. Eliza sits in the seat across from us with Emily, but Peggy is forced to sit up front with the teachers since she isn't a real student. It's kind of unfair and I can tell Emily thinks the same. With a shake of the bus we're on the road to the Zoo, I'm not too excited about this. Especially the second I feel something hit the back of my head, I know what it is. It's a note, from them. I pick it up and open it, exactly what I thought, 'go die' and more. I glance to a few seats behind us to see Blaze laughing quietly while staring at me. I look at Cloud to see he's busy on his phone with earbuds in. I feel someone touch my arm, I jump slightly and turn to see Eliza looking at me with her hand near me and worry on her face.

"Everything okay Alex?" I can't tell if she's seen the note or not but I stuff it into my bag anyway and nod. "You sure? You look like you're about to cry. Is it about your friend?"

"No, it's fine. I'm just a little....off today." I set my backpack down on the floor between my legs.

"You have to tell someone." I jolt up and look around hearing that same voice from gym class.

"What's wrong?" I look at Eliza and freeze for moment not knowing how to answer.

"Nothing, it's fine. I think I just need some more sleep, I didn't get much." I lean back against the seat as she nods and goes back to a conversation with Emily.

I feel another piece of paper hit me, but I ignore it. Cloud looks at me and smiles handing me an earbud. I shrug and put it in listening to something calm instead of his usual music for some reason. But I like it. I sigh and lean against him, I can tell it scares him slightly but he just goes with it. A few seconds later and the music blasts loud and I jolt up knocking the earbud from my ear. He starts laughing, I just shake my head in slight disappointment. I slide my headphones on and play my music for the rest of the ride. Upon arrival we gather into groups and head out for the so called 'cool' adventure. Blaze and Jordan stare me down for hours but stay far from me probably because Eliza's been near me alot. She's a caring and cautious person, I like that about her.

"Feeling better?" I look over at Eliza who walks next to me now, Emily and Peggy chat behind us while Cloud stays fascinated by the turtles.

"Yeah, thanks for keeping an eye on me all this time. I knew you would, you're a nice person like that." I smile to her and she just smiles back.

"So what's your favorite animal here? I can tell Cloud likes turtles." She glances at Cloud before looking me in the eyes this time. "I like turtles too, they're cute. Heh, turtle boy."

We both laugh for a few seconds before she walks closer to me. I'm finally getting somewhere with her after so long, I can feel my heart pounding against my ribs ready to break them. Or maybe it already broke a rib, I can't tell anymore.

"Yeah, turtles are cute. I guess my favorite animal here would be....the otters." I feel a bit nervous saying it out loud, especially with Blaze eyeing me down today.

"The otters are quite adorable too. I've never thought of you as a otter lover, it's nice to learn something new." I feel her slip her hand into my jacket pocket to hold my hand, I can feel my face flush a bit.

"Yeah, it is.......what did you think my favorite animal was?" She shrugs as I take my hand from my pocket to hold her hand more firmly.

"I don't know, maybe a.....hm. A turtle boy?" We both end up laughing, she snorts slightly too.

"Guys come on, it's time for lunch." Emily pulls my shoulder slightly to the group before heading over with Peggy and Cloud.

We follow still hand in hand, but soon we let go to take our lunches. Almost everyone ends up getting junk food from the stands nearby before we head to our picnic area which still has stands nearby with more junk food. Lunch is average like always, chats, jokes, and more. I notice some kids running around playing tag, tag? I finish and go over to join them, the game starts. I climb a large tree to a very strong branch, I hold the branch above it to keep balance. Some kids come over and try to climb, it's more like king of the hill now. Cloud, Emily, and Peggy are watching me too. Emily and Peggy are still at the table but an easy distance to spot me. Cloud stands far from the tree, he must have just been coming over before he saw me.