The Hooded Figure

SEVENTEEN

Alexander's voice again^^

Thursday is my favourite day of the week. I don't know why, it's just... great. I woke up feeling a lot better this morning and walking through the halls of the crowded high school was a little less unbearable than it usually was.

Then just as I was approaching my locker, I froze as I spotted a crowd surrounding it. I squinted and pushed through the crowd, ignoring the vicious glares thrown my way. It seemed that Layla had gotten there at the same time I had. I gaped once I saw what had happened.

Written in bold marker across Layla's locker was: How do you wink me now? ;)

It was a terrible reference to Monday's Biology class wink and I bet whoever had thought of it probably thought they were fucking brilliant. I looked over at Layla only to find her close to tears. I bet the only reason she didn't start crying right here, was because she was wearing mascara.

Everyone started laughing when they realized it was Layla's locker and she shut her eyes painfully. My heart cracked for her and even though what was written on the locker wasn't the worst thing they could've written, it really wasn't what Layla needed after this week of horror. I couldn't understand how this had escalated so quickly. Everything had only happened three days ago. Since when did my life become so eventful?

Layla's eyes shot open and her brown eyes pierced my heart as she glared at me. She walked from across the crowd over to me. "This is your fault Amy, you were the one who told me to flirt with him," she snapped, everyone in the crowd going silent. My mouth opened, half in shock, half in disbelief. Layla didn't wait for a reply, she just walked past me, pushing me to the side to get through. The crowd 'oohed' and now it was my turn to get the waterworks started.

I turned on my heel and walked through the crowd quickly. I found the nearest bathroom, the same one Jade and I had washed ourselves off in the day before. I locked myself in a stall after making sure that there was no one else there and I started to cry.

It'd been a long time since I cried, there hadn't really been occasion to. As the tears ran down my cheeks, I opened my eyes to the sound of my phone buzzing. I pulled it out of my bag and read the text from Jade.

Jade: I'm leaving after second period so I won't be there for lunch

I sighed and put my phone back into my backpack. I felt crestfallen, but I no longer felt like crying. The feeling had passed and I was happy, the last thing I needed was to be late for Mr. Bacinski's class. I wiped my cheeks and grabbed my backpack before exiting the stall. I turned on the tap and put some fresh water on my face. I didn't wear makeup so it wasn't a problem for me. I went back to my locker, the crowd gone and Layla no where in sight.

I frowned as a few students paused to look curiously. The wave of realization hit me that it was in fact all my fault. I told her that she should go after Damian Pierce if she wanted to truly make Sam jealous. My hand hovered over the lock as I dropped my head against the locker, hitting it somewhat hard. I cringed in pain, remembering the concussion symptoms I'd had. It was obviously super minor, but there was no need to make my skull a cranium blender.

I unlocked my locker just as the first bell rang. I hurried to grab my stuff and shuffled to class along with the rest of the students. When I entered the class, Mr. Bacinski was smiling evilly. I shut my eyes for a moment before opening them again exhaustedly.

"Seating plan!" He announced excitedly as the bell rang. He sat down at his desk and turned on the SmartBoard, revealing a brand new seating plan. I resisted the urge to groan loudly as released a deep breath. To my disapproval, Jade was in the back right corner of the class. I, however, was in the very front of the class in the left corner. I'm pretty sure he arranged it like that just because he hated me.

Lo and behold, the person sitting behind me was Trey.

Well, it could be worse. Maybe he can brighten my day; maybe he's in a better mood than usual. As I sat down, he soon followed. My desk was right beside Mr. Bacinski's and I caught him smiling at me, pleased with my evident defeat.

This is not my day.

I didn't bother satisfying him with a sarcastic smile, I just turned around to face Trey. "Hey," I said with little enthusiasm.

"Hey," he replied in a sharp tone as if he was mad at me. His lips were pursed and he looked like he was clenching his jaw.

"Are you okay?" I inquired gently, not wanting to tick him off. The last thing I needed was to ruin someone else's day.

"Dandy," he answered sarcastically, still managing to keep his voice lower than most of the class's IQ.

"Did I do something..?" I tried unsurely, not knowing what to do. I tried to think through the past three days and there was nothing that really stood out.

"I don't know, did you?" He responded cryptically. I decided that I didn't have time for this and rolled my eyes with a huff. Instead of wasting my time, I turned around and slumped in my seat.

"So, how is was everyone's Wednesday?" Mr. Bacinski asked as he got up from his chair and stood in front of the class. No one replied, but he only waited about two seconds after posing the question to add: "Just kidding, I don't care. Now, onto globalization and the effects of slavery in America during the..."

I rolled my eyes and tuned him out as I rested my head in my hands.

What a day.

• Author's Note •

To all the people who read this, who's your favourite character so far and why?

Love, Nat 💕