Second Bite of the Apple

Chapter 14: Play On

Chapter 14: Play On

Waiting? Waiting for what? Did she really think this was the time for games.

RIINNGGGG!!!

The lunch bell from the main school shattered the silence across the grounds. I decided I should probably move because I knew this would be the first place Ethan would look for me.

I made my way slowly around the edge of the grounds, keeping an eye out for Stanford as I know she would probably try to claim I was doing something illegal in the bushes, in oppose to just going for a walk. When I reached the front drive, I took one long look up at the school, then turned on my heel and headed down the drive in the direction of the main street.

I knew I'd have to turn back eventually, but for now I had to escape, even if it was just temporary. I put my headphones in and walked around and around the streets local to the school. I knew them like the back of my hand and let my feet guide me where I needed to go, leaving my mind free to wander.

Laura was waiting for me. I wasn't ready though. My head was still a mess from everything that had happened. Every fibre in my body wanted her but that couldn't erase the fact that she betrayed me. I just didn't know what to do.

I knew I'd have to face Ethan at some point too. Just exactly what, or how much, I'd tell him, I wasn't sure. Right now the thought of talking about any of this wasn't appealing. Even thinking about it was mentally draining. I just wanted a break. I just needed everything to stop. Just for a while; just long enough for me to get me head straight.

I was going in circles, and getting nowhere. Eventually all of the houses started to look the same, the cars too. None of it mattered. After walking past what I'm sure was the same phone box for the fourth time, I reluctantly admitted to myself that it was time to head back. As I drew nearer to school, I could feel my feet slowing, unwilling to submit myself back into the antipathy that was reality. I tried half-heartedly to spur myself on but knew I was wasting my time.

Beaten into submission, I dragged myself upstairs to registration, not paying any attention to my surroundings. It wasn't until I had slumped into my seat I realised that Mrs Stanford was standing at the front of the room. Just when I thought this day couldn't get any worse, we've got this bitch covering our form period. Just what I need.

"Sian..." she addressed me.

Why is the bitch speaking to me? Can I not have a minute to breathe without her having a go? I've only just stepped through the door, I can't possibly have done anything to piss her off yet.

"Now that you've decided to grace us with your presence," she continued, "could you kindly step outside for a moment?"

What on Earth was going on? The false pleasantries didn't fool me, they were dripping so heavily with sarcasm that even Lindsey had picked up on it. The sniggers that followed me as I left the room told me that much.

I stood outside in the corridor, reclining against the window ledge. I had to resist the temptation to hoist myself up and sit upon it as I knew Stanford would not approve if she caught me. I was beyond confused. I felt like a naughty Year 8 that had been sent out of class to consider their behaviour.

I heard the echoing of footsteps crescendo from the stairwell. I knew the sound only too well, and sure enough, a moment later, Mr Kennedy came puffing round the corner.

"Oh, yes, Sian..." he seemed distracted, "Mrs Stanford... Has she? Is she?"

It was not like Mr Kennedy to be lost for words. This was getting weirder by the minute.

"Inside?" I said gesturing at the door, presuming he was looking for her.

Mr Kennedy nodded and then hurried through the door. Several minutes passed with nothing but the odd scrape of a chair or thud of a door for company, along with the dim chatter that could be heard from the room opposite. Twenty or so voices suddenly sounded like hundreds. The drone of voices turned into a soft buzzing, growing increasingly louder and louder. All of my senses seemed to be sharpening. The voices across the hall sounded like the were mere inches from me, the tick of the clock sounded like a timer waiting to explode. It was deafening.