Distant Mirage || 13 Reasons Why [ 0 ]

23

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OCTOBER

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The whispers were still as near constant as the day she had stepped back into the school after her brothers deaths, but that wasn't what worried Bailey anymore. It was avoiding Hannah Baker. In hanging out with the girl, she had come to learn she was too innocent and unaware of what went on in her life to understand half her problems; most of which, Hannah would make fun of. Like, missing a tackle in football, or her jersey ripping. She wasn't like her, she wasn't meant for her world. 

Bailey scanned the hall as she stood with her group, stuffing books into her locker as they spoke to her about the parties that weekend. She was hardly listening, though, her mind fuzzy from the amount of weed she'd smoked the previous night. She slammed her locker shut, moving to follow after the boys as they made their way out to the courtyard. But the moment she stepped into plain sight, her name was called from behind her. 

'Hey, Bay,' Hannah strode up behind her. 

She turned to look at her slowly, pushing a smile onto her lips. 

'Hey, Hannah,' She replied.

'Uh, what're you doing this afternoon? I was thinking we could, maybe, go to Monet's? Or whatever,' Hannah asked nervously.

'I, uh- I can't this afternoon. Got training. Uh, what about Thursday? After training?'

'Yeh, uh, yeh. That sounds good.'

She sent the girl a tight smile as she nodded once, 'I'll see you then.'

'Yeh.'

She nodded once more before she turned away, walking up the hall. She readjusted her bag strap over her shoulder as she peeked back up the hall to find Hannah gone, a long sigh leaving her mouth. Bailey shook her head, lowering her it as she headed to her first class; dumping her bag on the table before she sat, preparing herself for yet another long day. 

~

'Hut,' Bailey called as she stamped her foot. 

Her eyes lifted upward the minute the ball was thrown into her hands, scanning for the route that was meant to be run. She took two steps backward to avoid the defence before she aired the ball out to Monty, watching as it landed in perfect stride. The girl threw a fist into the air as she cheered, jumping up. 

'Again,' Coach called. 

'Aw, man, if I run another, I'm going to kill myself,' One of the boys groaned. 

'Suck it up, buttercup,' She slapped him over the back of the head as she passed him; 'And fucking run it again.'

He let out a groan as they all got into position, repeating the same routine they'd just done. Bailey nodded when the ball was caught easily, pulling her helmet up to sit on the back half of her head.