Black Diamonds and Silver Hearts

C H A P T E R - 3

|June|

The bell rang signaling the end of fourth period and heralding the start of Lunch. Books were picked up, chairs pushed in, and friends gathered together to gossip. Student after student filtered out of the sunny classroom until I was the last one standing.

I leaned against the wall near the door, a poster (one of many) with a Mathematical formula floated above my head. My Math teacher had asked me to stay behind to talk to me, but he was currently busy battling a mess of papers on his desk. So, I quietly waited in my spot, not wanting to bother him.

Ten minutes passed until he looked my way, the ungraded homework now in neat little piles. Mr. Malcolm jumped in his seat at the sight of me and honestly, he spooked me right back. Stacy did say, a long time ago, I sometimes looked like the ghost from The Ring. Especially if I didn't get a good night's sleep because of the dark eye circles I'd get in the mornings.

His grip on the chair loosened when he realized it was just me. Harmless, want-to-be-anywhere-but-here me.

"June you must really say something," he said clasping his hands over his lap. His chubby belly took up most of the space. "Now, about the math test, you retook yesterday. I'm happy to say you passed this time around."

He plucked a paper from inside one of the desk drawers and showed it to me. The number seventy-five, written in bright red ink, flashed to the forefront of my mind; searing itself into my memory. A wane smile made its way on my face, but my grade hovered in the air like an annoying spirit only I could see. Taunting me to do better.

"You had me concerned for a second there," said Mr. Malcolm. His fingers running over his mustache thoughtfully. "I hear you're doing wonderfully in other subjects so it's a little surprising to see you struggle in my class."

Story of my life, I thought to herself remembering all the conversations I had with previous math teachers. Each one no different than the last.

"You know I do tutor on Tuesdays after school. You should consider it," Mr. Malcolm advised before giving me permission to go.

The idea of spending another hour watching numbers do their chaotic little dance, yelling at me to solve their problems, gave me a major headache. I'd rather eat Ms. Mitchell's cooking which tasted like a dump truck full of ash. It's the sole reason why the fridge had dozens of Tupperware filled with leftovers.

Stepping into the hallway, I headed toward the cafeteria. My footsteps soft and silent against the tiled floors. Anytime a person wandered too close I had to swerve around them to avoid being bulldozed over. I made it halfway without incident when I bumped into someone around a corner. Of all the people it had to be, it had to be her.

Stacy scowled at me. "Watch it, you almost made me drop my phone." She showed off the latest iPhone in her hand. Then she pulled back a lock of wavy pink hair to reveal diamond earrings which matched her shiny new purse.

Accessories I knew she could never afford. Luxury didn't exist in our world. Stacy smirked, obviously pleased by my reaction.

Surprise melted into disappointment and I bit my tongue from asking the question I already knew the answer to. Walking around her I barely made it five steps when she grabbed my sleeve, tugging me back.

"Wait."

A voice in the back of my mind told me to keep walking but the tone in Stacy's voice demanded me to stay. Begrudgingly, I turned around.

Stacy let go of me and she wrung her hands around the strap of her purse. Her books and backpack nowhere to be seen. "Look. I know I've been a huge pain and I just want to say I'm sorry." She hung her head in remorse.