Escaping Our Past

Chapter 7

The next morning, I wake up at 8:20am, giving myself 10 minutes to get ready for school - 5 to get dressed, 5 to walk there. (If only all math was this simple). I slip on a dress I bought a few weeks ago. It fits me perfectly, without being too fancy. It's simply just beautiful. I apply some light make-up, making my face look inviting and flawless. I'll never be flawless, but thank God for make-up. I'm putting on this mascara, that really compliments my look; when I manage to professionally poke myself in the eye with my mascara brush. I over- exagerate and fall dramatically to the floor. My mom hears the thud.

"TINA!?", she yells, running into my room.

I don't reply, as she helps me up.

"I gotta get to school" I say.

"But, honey - your eye is bloodshot, shouldn't we get it checked out?" she asks.

"No, it's fine" I say. "Just do me a favour and drive me to school."

"No problem sweetie." she replies and soon, we're on our way to school.

During the drive, I mentally prepare myself for what is totally going to be a bad day - with the whole eye thing and also with Aleah hating on me. What was that text all about? I need to find out! It's Monday again, meaning that today Aleah is in my first morning class. I grab my bag and hop out of the car, my mind so occupied that I completely forget to say bye to my mom. I've bought my own lunch today; but I'm not interested in eating it. I walk into the class I'm in; to see Aleah next to the empty seat where I always sit, so naturally I take the seat next to her. The bell rings in one minute - maybe I could approach the situation?

"Aleah", I whisper her name, keeping my voice calm and kind.

She doesn't even care to look at me.

"Please talk to me. You could at least tell me what I've supposedly done wrong" I say, with the with realistic puppy- dog eyes look that I've been told I'm good at.

"You know what? I think you would know. ", she replies snidely. In response, I release an exasperated sigh. If only I could let all my emotions let go like that.

"Friends don't talk shit about each other", she says simply, before deliberately facing the other side of the classroom. I can tell that I'm not going to get another word out of her.

I don't understand. I've never said anything bad about her. How could I? She has friends. She's beautiful. She always gets compliments from guys. Oh, and most importantly, she's my one and only best friend.

"I never said anything about you", I say eventually, my voice quiet; injured. She doesn't reply, although I know she heard me.

*RING*

Class starts. I'm feeling depressed. Jason walks in two minutes late. This time the teacher actually notices, but before the teacher can scold him in any way, she is interrupted by Jason's excuse.

"I have a late slip. Chill."

He places the late slip on the desk and sits down. He sees me out of the corner of his eye and manages to wink casually before he lands on his seat.

I have a mini-freak out on the inside. At least one good thing has happened today. I start to smile. Then I remember what has just happened between me and Aleah and stop. I'm so confused. Maybe we can talk things out on Wednesday, the day that school break starts. As soon as that school bell rings, I'm free for a week! I smile...and then remember about Aleah. This is going to drag me down all day, isn't it? I bite my lip to stifle a sob. Jason looks back and catches me sad. I change my facial expression and give him a fake-ass, super big cheesy grin.

"You okay?", he mouths out.

I nod, clearly lying to him.

"Come over after school at 5", he mouths out again, holding up 5 fingers to reinforce the time.

I nod again. Then force myself to focus on class - I hope everything smooths out with Aleah soon.

•A While Later•

It's lunchtime. I turn the corner of the school hall, as if to walk outside of the building and back home, where mom probably has lunch ready for me - like she always does. It doesn't matter that I've got my own lunch today; I can't stand to eat in the cafeteria here. I know for a fact that no-one will sit with me. As I approach the corner, I'm stopped by Pat's voice. I back up a little, eavesdropping on the conversation.

"So, after school come over and I'll tell you all about it!", Pat is saying, excitedly.

"Sounds great!", says someone. Someone familiar. Who is that? I look over to see Aleah's face.

"Aleah?!" I mumble, totally confused.

I slowly sit down, leaning on the hallway wall. Running my hands through my hair, I think about how much Aleah hates Pat - and now look what's happening. They're chatting like everything's perfectly fine between them - they now seem to be the best of friends. I need to know what's going on.

I walk past the two of them, receiving ugly looks. I act like I don't care. I really do.

One my way home, I remember again that I had brought lunch to school. Why am I going home? To escape the bullshit - ah, thats it. I walk past a community garbage can and toss out my lunch. I'm half way home. I might as well just sit here on the curb. No need to go home. No need to go back to school. No need to eat. I can just sit here. All. Alone...