Moving Forward

Chapter Six

I wonder how Kandy's doing.

I stared at the clock boredly and counted the seconds before third period. After third came lunch. I sighed in frustration when the bell rung but the teacher blocked the door, threatening to not let anyone leave until he gave us the homework. Said and done.

I walked to my locker to get my textbook out and spotted Kandy waiting beside the bathrooms. I noticed she had kept the scarf wrapped around her neck and it seemed like she had it over her mouth but put it down to breathe. I caught her eye and waved her over. She smiled, looked at the bathroom then trotted over to me.

"Hey!" she said cheerfully, catching me off guard. I was expecting her to be dejected or angry or something along those lines. Nope. Instead, I am greeted by a cheerful Kandy.

"Someone looks happy," I pointed out. I decided against pointing out the scarf. She must have her reason for having it on. She giggled and twirled a lock of hair in her fingers.

"Well, I may or may not have a friend now," she admitted. I nodded. Good that she's making friends already. Then I frowned. What if they play with her feelings just to toss her aside? I don't want that for her. I studied her smile and decided against warning her. I don't quite want to tear away her happiness just yet. Setting my mind on protecting her, I smiled for her. She beamed back. Then, the warning bell rang. Her eyes widened and she jogged back to her spot, yelling over her shoulder, "I'll see you later!"

I turned back and closed my locker, pulling out my earbuds when a girl walked up to me.

"Hey, Sandy, do you know who you were just talking to?"

I shrugged. "Kandy."

"Yeah, as in 'The Fallen Kandy'," she said matter-of-factly. I shrugged, giving her my same bored eyes to show I was unaffected by what she said. She grew exasperated. "We warned you about her when you first got here!"

"So?" I plugged in my earbuds and pressed play on my phone. Once I did so, I turned on my heel and rushed to third period, ignoring the cries of the girl chasing after me.

"If people catch you hanging around her they'll think you're a dike as well! Come on Sandy-- listen to me!"

I stopped right outside my classroom door. I swiveled on my toes and had my back to the threshold. I looked her dead in the eyes with threatening eyes. "Don't call me Sandy ever again." I took a small step backward, crossing the threshold all the while glaring at her when the final bell rang.

"Miss Edwards," the teacher called over my shoulder. I shot her an evil smirk and laughed internally as I watched her eyes widen. "Detention."

I turned and happily walked to my seat, proud of the glare she was throwing me. This teacher is hardcore when it comes to being late, but as long as we're in his classroom by the time the bell rings, we are scotch-free.

_________

Lunch came much faster than I anticipated and I sat in my usual spot. I placed my backpack on the seat beside mine then quickly rummaged through to find something to reserve the seat across from me. I lifted my head to look around and panicked when I saw the group already making their way to my table. Looking frantically, I pushed my tray and used it instead to reserve the seat. I sighed in relief when the girls eyed my tray but avoided the seat.

"You have another nerd friend?" Stephanie, the girl I purposely got in trouble, asked. I shrugged.

"I don't know how much of a nerd she is actually."

Before they could press further, my eyes caught sight of Zach. I was about to wave him over when I spotted Kandy step out from behind him and started chatting away happily. Zach was equally engrossed in the conversation and led her my way. They were only a few tables away when I caught her attention and she gave me a smile, but it faltered once her eyes scanned the people with me. She slowed down and seemed hesitant, but Zach told her something and placed a hand on her forearm, quietly leading her to the seats I saved. I removed my backpack and she sat in the seat beside me and Zach went around and after removing my tray, sat there as well. Kandy was no longer bubbly and was instead trying to make herself as small as she could. She even pulled the scarf back over her nose. Seeing her in this state made me feel sorry for her. These people must have put her through hell.