The Nerd's Best Friend

•THIRTY ONE•

Word Count: 2286

***

  My alarm goes off, blaring in my ear. I have to go to school. I've already been gone for a week, and people are going to start to wonder, if they already haven't.

  My mom informed the school of my situation so I could make up anything I missed.

  I decided on some ripped blue denim jeans and pastel pink body suit with a matching blue denim jacket. I stuffed an oversized hoodie into my bag, Incase I decided to change. I put on my converse and put my hair into a high ponytail and looked at my appearance.

  At least I looked better than I felt.

  I went down stairs and ate a granola bar. Marcus walked in, giving me a weak smile.

  "Hey Lynnie." He said, kissing my cheek. He wrapped his arms around my stomach as I ate.

  "Let's get this over with." I sighed as I grabbed my things.

  "Bye sweetie." My mom said. I waved and we left for school.

  "Hey can we talk?" Marcus asked me when we pulled up. I looked at him, terrified.

  "Marc. If you're breaking up with me, just at least take me back home. I already lost my dad, and I'd like to be in my room for the heart break you'd cause me." I told him, tears brimming my eyes.

"What! I'm not breaking up with you." He exclaimed, grabbing my hands. I sighed, grinning slightly. "I just wanted to tell you. That it's going to get better. Life won't always feel like crap, and Naomi and I will always be here." He said, and I nodded, kissing him.

  "I know. It's just still so fresh, and I'm still trying to cope with his death." I frown, and he nods, getting out. I follow, and he wraps me in a hug.

  "I know. Just get through a day at a time." He whispers before we head into the busy building.

A lot of people point and stare at me, making either sad faces, or pity faces. Naomi comes running down the hall, Like trying to keep up.

"Rae! I'm here!" She exclaims, wrapping me in a hug. I almost break down, but the bell rings indicating that classrooms are now open. We all walk to the art department and Marcus comes in with me.

"Arce." I mutter and he frowns.

"Everything okay Rae? You've been gone all week." He frowns, coming up to me. I try to hold back my tears, but a few slip.

"My dad died two weeks ago." I choke. He immediately wraps me in a hug, and I sigh.

"You'll be okay. Just keep trucking." He says before nodding at Naomi and Luke.

"Bye baby. I love you." Marcus whispers, pecking my lips. He leaves art, and I just sit there. I don't even have energy to sketch.

Once the tardy bell had rung, an announcement comes on.

"Attention students. I'm very sad to inform everyone that, our very own Brody McKnight passed away two weeks ago." My heart began to shatter, an Naomi held my hand. "He was deported in Iraq, where he died. Please help us in remembering Brody with this minuet of silence." The principal said. Everyone was watching me, and I couldn't help it. I stood up, tears streaming down my face as I ran from the class. I raced down the hall, through the teachers shouting at me to slow down, to the bathrooms.