The Outsider (Steven Fernandez)

chapter 3.

Rachel's POV

Steven and I walked down to the principal's office in complete and utter silence.

I keep my head facing the floor, taking occasional glances up to make sure that I don't bump into anything. I also looked up at Steven a couple of times, seeing him run his hands through his hair multiple times.

I can feel the tension grow between Steven and I, making me feel a bit uncomfortable. I kept shifting the weight of my backpack from one shoulder to the other. We shoulders ached, but were more comfortable than the tension between Steven and I.

"Your shirt makes you looks like a hoe," Steven said, breaking the silence. I raise my head, narrowing my eyes at him. He kept his gaze fixed on the floor.

"Oh Kay" I reply. I look down at my outfit, and see that my shirt has traveled up a little bit. I am quick to pull it down, not wanting anyone to see my stomach.

He says nothing after that, the tension growing again. I feel awkward and weird because of the silence, but I have to live with it.

Why did the teacher even send me with him? Maybe so I'll know my way around this school? I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely noticed that I was about to run into an open door.

I quickly move out of the way, not wanting a bruise to form on my face. As we turned another corner, I saw the office. Finally.

"I'm heading back to class," I declare, turning in the other direction, ready to start walking. After 4 steps, I hear Steven speak up again.

"Pull down your shirt hoe." I could hear the smirk in his voice. I was getting so tired of him calling me a hoe. I'll show him what a hoe does.

I turn around, and grabbed the hem of my shirt. I pull it up, not wanting to take the entire piece of clothing off of my body. No one was in the hallway, so Steven was the only one who saw.

"I guess now I am a hoe," I pull my shirt back down quickly. I take in Steven's features, and he looked quite shocked. I turn and start making my way back to the classroom.

                  *          *         *

"Rachel! Rachel over here!" I hear Amber's voice shout. I look over from where I was standing. She makes her way over to me, smiling.

"Want to go to the mall right now?" she keeps smiling, looking hopeful that my answer will be yes. I take my phone out, and start dialing my dad's number.

"I'll need to call my dad and ask him first." my dad answered after the first 4 rings.

"Ray, what's wrong? Did you already get out of school?" I hear my sister in the background screaming and playing, my dad's voice barely audible.

"Nothing's wrong dad and yes, I did. But I was calling to know if I can go to the mall with my friend?" I bite my lip, waiting for his reply.

"You have the debit card I gave you still, right?" he finally replies. I let out an annoyed laugh.

"Yes dad, I'm not stupid enough yo lose a debit card. So can I go or not?" I was getting impatient, but Amber didn't seem bothered.

"Okay, fine, but be careful. Don't talk to strangers, do not take free food or drinks, and stay with your friend at all times. Love you sweetheart" he hangs up the phone and I turn the screen of my phone off. I slid it back into my back pocket.

I turn to Amber and I nod at her, signaling that I got permission to go to the mall. She smiles even more while she linked her arm with mine.

We walked to the mall which wasn't too far from the school. The mall was quite big. It was three stories tall, and had over 100 stores inside.