I'm fine

Chills of october

I looked at the cold looking water of lake Tonahough through a raindrop scattered windshield. It was a chilly day in Scottstown. But I loved it, rainy days always made me happy, I loved the rain and the thought of cuddling up to the sound of it pattering on the roof.
I drew my knees up to my body on the passenger seat of my dad old Chevy pickup. We pulled into the long parking lot of Scottsville collegiate. It was my first day of school, but what was different for me is I was starting in October. My dad had a heart attack just last month and I haven't been to school, as my whole family was finding jobs to help pay for the costly hospital bills. But now that he was back and safe at home it was time to go back to prison, oh wait sorry, school...

My dad turns off the engine. Silently we all open our doors and hop down out of the truck. I help my little sister with her bag and zipped her jacket up. She smiles up at me.
Joan was always so cheerful even when dad was in the hospital she always had a way of making us smile. Dad gives my older sister a hug and proceeds to come and hug me and my little sister. As I wrap my arms around him my nostrils fill with the dank smell of tobacco, I cringe.
"Have a great day."
He says as we all turn and walk off.
Joan and Madi walk toward their classes, but I promised a friend I would meet her in the cafeteria my first day so we could walk to class together. I hop up the concrete steps to the caf, the smell of fresh muffins and coffee surrounds me and warmth hugs me as I unzip my thin grey sweater.
Charlotte looks up as I place my bag on the chair beside her.
"Hey Claire!"
She stood up and hugged me quickly before we both sat down again.
Her bright cheery blue eyes looked at me almost glowing.
"How are you?"
Charlotte questions me, I know I look tired picturing myself in my bathroom mirror this morning with dark under eyes and messy hair.
"I'm doing well, I'll just have to get used to waking up this early all over again."
I chuckle creating a nice warm feeling that spread through me from my chest.
After we talked for a bit the bell rung and we were off to our first class.
We chatted about meaningless topics as we strolled along the tree covered pathways across Scottsville's campus.
I look up towards the building our first period class is in.
My heart skips a beat and my breath gets caught in my throat. My eyes widen slightly. And a feeling I had hoped I would forget rushed over me. Pricking my eyes just begging me to break down.
"What is he doing here?"
I harshly whisper to Charlotte stretching my arm across in front of her forcing her to stop.
Walking into the same building we were headed to was a tall slim boy. His stride was quick he glanced over at me for less then a split second. My heart stopped, it just stopped. His dark brown eyes contrast to his light chocolate skin quickly looked away and he continued walking turning his back towards us and walked into the building.
"I didn't want to tell you before, but he came back in September. So much was going on with you and your family I didn't want to stress you even more."
Charlotte guiltily defended her reasoning and wrapped and arm around my back.
" I can't go in there. I'm not ready to see him, let alone be in the same class as him! I was trying to forget about him!"
I continue to harshly whisper at Char.
She starts pushing me slowly toward the building.
" just don't look at him just don't even think about him being here. He's irrelevant, you won't even know he's here."
I reluctantly continue walking all the way up and into the building. I had a bad feeling about this, a really bad feeling...