Distant Mirage || 13 Reasons Why [ 0 ]

22

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SEPTEMBER

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Bailey stared at Liberty High through her windscreen as she sat in the car park, her hands gripping her steering wheel. She was scared. Scared to face the pity filled faces and the whispers. She jumped when a knock came at her window, her eyes wide as her head snapped around to look up at Zach. She sent him a tight smile as he waved at her, a long breath leaving her mouth before she pushed the door open.

'Hey,' The boy greeted before wrapping her up in a hug.

'Hey,' She whispered.

'You gonna be ok?'

He looked over her face as he pulled back, discovering how dead her eyes looked compared to the soft smile on her lips.

'I'll be fine,' She nodded.

'Don't lie,' He replied.

'I'll get there.'

Zach nodded, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

'And I'll be there every step of the way,' He informed her.

'Thanks, Zee,' She leant into him.

They walked toward the school building, the whispers quickly starting. Then the first lot of sorry's and fake people hugging her. Tears welled in the eyes, but she quickly blinked them back; hiding her face in Zach's chest once more. He lead her inside, allowing them to be surrounded by their group quickly. 

No one mentioned anything about Drew or Jeff to her, but the elephant in the room was as big as they came. She accepted the hugs they offered her, numbly hugging each of her friends back. She let out a shaky breath as she tried not to cry, tucking her head away in Monty's neck; trying to keep it together. He held her tight, being the final one to hug her; placing a kiss to the side of her head. 

'Do you want to go for a walk?' He muttered in her ear. 

She shook her head as she stepped back, 'You have to get to class... I have to get to class.'

'Bay, I'll skip for you.'

'No, it's ok... I'll see you guys later.'

With a tight smile before lowering her head, she walked off quickly; leaving them all in a state of confusion. Bailey could hear the continuous whispers around her, clenching her eyes shut as she tried to ignore them. She pushed her way into her classroom, sitting in the far back corner with her head low. Some of the guys filed in slowly, sitting in the same row as her; offering her a small smile when she glanced at them. 

'Good morning, everyone,' The teacher called as he strode into the room; 'Can you all- Bailey?'

She looked up slowly, meeting his eye with a blank face.