Call Me Simon

Chapter 14

Simon

Career day, the most boring days of the school year. Basically it's nothing but people talking about their jobs. I don't think they know that no one in this school is gonna want to have a job when they get older. Half these kids aren't even going to college. I don't see the point of having a day dedicated to this.

I decide to just hang out with Elio, NIck, Abby, and Leah the entire day. It seems like the right thing to do. I mean, what's better than hanging out in a boring classroom checking out adults boring lives with your best friends and your boyfriend?

I should've waited on saying all of that because my mom presents about her job as a psychologist. I know this sounds lame, but I really love my mom. I had to support her in what she was telling us. That includes clapping louder than everyone else when she was done talking, cheering for her, and actually paying attention to her even though she has told me what she does for a living like a thousand times.

After my mom presented and two others did, a guy came in. He looks to be 6'5. But I recognized him from somewhere. He turns to face the class and that's when I start to panic. It was Oliver. I turn to Elio and see that he hasn't noticed him walk in yet. Yet.

"Class please settle down. This will be our last visitor, Mr. Bulliva." Our teacher announced. I turn to Elio again to see his face in shock. He stares at Oliver for a while. I notice that his breathing picks up. I quickly raise my hand, asking if me and him can go to nurse. She notices Elio's distress and agrees. I hold Elio's hand.

"Elio what's wrong?" Leah asks him. Elio started shaking even more.

"Help me bring him to the nurse." I say to Abby, Leah and Nick "Hey, you think you can stand up?" I whisper to Elio. He slowly nods. I help him stand up and all five of us walk out. I could only feel the stare of Oliver as we walk out.

We are sitting outside the nurse's office trying to calm down Elio.

"Just hang in there, okay?" I say.

"Did you take your pills?" Abby asks.

Elio nods.

"Well then why are you having a panic attack?" Leah asks.

"Wait a minute, I think I know why." Nick says.

"Oh yeah, because you're a doctor." Leah says sarcastically.

"But think of it, since Oliver is physically here, it probably triggers Elio's PTSD more than if he was just thinking about him." he says.

We all just look at Nick like he's insane.

"How dumb are you?" I say.

"What do you mean?" Nick asks.

"How would that work when we went out shopping and Elio didn't take any pills that day?" I ask.

"That I can't explain." he says.

"Well all I know is that I have the sudden urge to punch someone in the face." Abby says.

"I agree." Leah says. "And I know exactly who you want to punch."

"Girls, please don't do that." Nick says. "It's unnecessary to beat someone up and that person doesn't even know you."

"No, you know what's unnecessary?" Leah asks. "It's unnecessary to make someone believe that your in love with them and then just go with someone else."

"Right." Abby says. "Yes, we get that Oliver had to leave and all of that, but why get engaged? That defeats the purpose of even doing half of the things that you did with that person in the first place."