Friends Don't Kiss, Do They?

Chapter 4

I was thankful the next day was Saturday, and I didn't have to worry about seeing Matt after humiliating myself in front of him. Hopefully by Monday everything will be forgotten.

But the moment I wake up on Monday morning, I knew my day wasn't going to go the way I wanted. I overslept and missed the bus. Mom wasn't impressed, especially when my younger brothers had managed to leave on time. She drives me to school on her way to work. I thank her.

I glance around the school grounds to see if I could spot any of my friends. I spot Abby and Bailey standing on the grass underneath the flag pole that stood near the front entrance of the building. I head towards them. When I do, some guy comes running past me, knocking into me. I tumble to the concrete hard, landing on my knees and placing my hands out in front of me before I smacked my face in the concrete. I don't look up, knowing probably everyone is staring at me, maybe laughing. I don't look to see if the guy who knocked me over turns around to see if I'm alright or apologises for what he did, because I know he has disappeared. I bite my lip to stop me from groaning as slight pain comes from my knees. My palms sting as I sit up on my knees to check to see how badly scraped they are. I have cheerleading practice this afternoon and I don't want to miss it, even though I know Samantha would be glad if I did.

"Are you alright, Hailey?" I hear Bailey ask me as she and Abby quickly hurry over to me.

I nod as I glance at my palms. They are both scrape, not bad, but I can see some visible blood, but it isn't bleeding badly. I can just wash my hands and I will be fine.

My friends help me up. I look down at my knees. Some skin was peeled off, but no blood was gashing out. I should have worn jeans to school today rather than a knee-length skirt.

"Can we please go to the bathroom? I ask my friends.

My friends agree and they walk inside with me, walking quickly before someone could ask me if I was alright, especially the teachers.

"Matt didn't see me fall, did he?" I ask.

"No, he hasn't," Abby says as she pushed open the door, holding it open for both Bailey and me to enter. I walk in first, Bailey next and then her. "We haven't seen him or Tayvon yet."

I sigh with relief. "Thank goodness he didn't see me." I feel so stupid even though it wasn't my fault.

I wash my hands under the water, which stings the scrapes. Bailey then tells me to sit on the basin while Abby grabs some toilet paper, wetting them before washing off the blood on my knees. She would have used paper towels, but there is never any in here. Bailey asks if I wanted to see the school nurse, but I tell her I'm fine. My injuries weren't bad so there was no need to bother the nurse. I'm sure she has something better to do than treat a klutz like me.

"I'm such a klutz," I say.

"Don't blame yourself for anything," Bailey tells me. "It wasn't like you fell on purpose. That jerk knocked into you, and didn't even bother to see if you're alright."

I nod. I know she is right, but I still feel like a klutz. I should have gained the balance to stop myself from falling, but I didn't. I let myself hit the ground. I have always been unsteady on my feet. Like Samantha said at the party on Friday night when she pushed me into the pool, I'm clumsy. Why would Matt want to date me if I can't stand on my own two feet?

My friends help me off the basin once Abby did her best to clean the wounds. Luckily they weren't bad, but everyone will be able to see my injuries. They will laugh at me, and then it will be reported to Samantha who will use the information to tease me, telling how pathetic I really am and why I will never be good enough for Matt.