The Hooded Figure

TWENTY THREE

Song is Shot Down by Khalid^^

As I entered my Social Studies class, I sat in front of Trey's seat, which he was leaning back in. I couldn't tell if he was even awake, due to the upper half of his face being covered. I was straddling the chair and examining his features. For a moment, they looking strikingly familiar. I frowned and reached forward subconsciously. As my fingers neared his hood, his hand shot up and grabbed my wrist, making me jump in my seat.

"What are you doing?" He asked lowly, sitting up in his chair. I could feel him glaring at me from underneath his hood, but I couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity.

"Nothing," I replied, removing my hand from his grasp. He let me go and continued to frown. I sniffled and started to think about what I was going to say. "Do you want to-"

I retracted my hand slowly from his grasp with my mouth agape. Suddenly, it all clicked.

"What?" He asked me sceptically, fidgeting with his pencil as he usually did.

"I'm such a dumbass," I whispered as I leaned forward on his desk, holding my head in my hands, wondering how I could've been so blind.

"What do you mean?" Trey asked, sounding increasingly worried.

"It was all right in front of me, how could I have been so blind? I can't believe it took me so long," I kept muttering. Layla and Jade were completely off my mind and some part of me was glad I didn't have to focus on it. There had been so many distractions that I hadn't even thought about our situation. However, like I said, I was currently distracted.

"What?" He snapped angrily, forgetting to shadow his voice. I looked up at him confusedly for one more piece of evidence that it was him.

"You're him," I stated, putting my hands down and sniffling as I came to the mind blowing realization.

"Excuse me? I'm who?" Trey questioned, a frown on his lips.

"Do you really want me to say it in class?" I replied, slowly overcoming the incredibility of this situation.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he growled lowly. He sounded angry; livid almost. I decided I'd let it drop as I shrugged and turned around. Class started and I noticed Jade sitting in front of the class in my usual spot.

I couldn't focus the entire class, all I could think about was the revelation I'd just come across. Sure, the lower half of his face was the first indicator, as well as his voice, but what really gave it away, was the sweater. It was the same sweater Alexander had been wearing on the cliff last night. Which also lead me to question how often he washed the thing.

The class flew by and I wasn't even bothered by Mr. Bacinski as he taught. It felt like an hour and a half had been compacted into ten minutes. I got up as the bell rang and turned around to speak to Trey, Alexander, whoever, but he wasn't already there. He'd somehow slipped away. Then again, I suppose pop stars have to be good at escaping hordes of fans.

As I exited the classroom with my books in hand, I headed to my locker and saw Layla at hers. She was leaving as I arrived, but I'd had enough of this. "Layla!" I called out. She froze for a moment before turning around to look at me. Her brown eyes weren't as icy as I'd thought they'd be, but they did hold a tinge of sadness. Suddenly, her eyes started to water as she ran towards me and wrapped her hands around my torso. For a moment, I was confused and my hands remained at my sides, but I quickly brought my hands around her and relished the hug. I wasn't mad at her for saying it was my fault she was being tormented, mostly because it was true. I also felt terrible because I hadn't been beating myself up about it like I should've been. Instead, I'd been frolicking around with boys.

"I'm so sorry, Amy. I was just so angry, and sad, and scared, and I-" I cut her off and rubbed her back. It was kind of awkward considering the height difference and my binder and pencil case were in both my hands. Layla had a side bag so it was easy for her but I was trying desperately not to drop my stuff.

"It's okay, I understand. Plus, it kind of was my fault. I'm really sorry, Layla," I apologized sincerely. Layla pulled back and looked down at me sternly. I put my binder and pencil case back under my arm where it was comfortable to hold.

"No, it was all me! You just suggested it, I was the one who took it farther than flirting." She sighed, wiping tears from her eyes before they could fall.

"No, it was- wait, farther than flirting?" I questioned, tilting my head confusedly. Layla smiled sheepishly.

"You're right, it is your fault. Damian and I are dating! He's so great, and nice, and it helped me get over Sam. I don't need him back, he's-" I interrupted her again with my mouth agape.

"You're dating Damian Pierce? The quarterback?" I asked her incredulously, unable to comprehend what she was saying.

"I know right! Sometimes I can't believe it either," she admitted, grinning at me.

"I-uh, how long have you guys been together?" I questioned, looking around at the other students.

"A few days. I didn't know how to tell you or how to apologize. When you called to me in the hallway I figured it'd be the perfect time!" She gushed, grabbing my shoulders and hugging me tightly.

"How are things with you? Oh, I've missed you so much! Things aren't the same without you, Ames," she told me, smiling sadly. I had remained basically stoic throughout the entire encounter. I hardly knew what was happening anymore. Suddenly, the bell rang, signalling the end of the break between classes.

"Uh, I gotta go to class, but I'm so happy for you!" I tried to make it sound sincere and I hope it did, but I was still so confused.

"Okay, see you at lunch!" She exclaimed as she slipped away from me. I quickly opened my locker and grabbed my Math stuff. As I scurried to my Math class, I couldn't stop thinking about Layla's new revelation.

I can't handle this much before 11:00AM.