Moving Forward

Chapter Seven

Culinary Arts passed by in a breeze. Nobody surprisingly bothered me so there was that. I was able to concentrate on the recipe and surprise, surprise. My roast beef was the best. It always was like that before the bullying began.

Walking alongside Sandy, I chuckled at the memory of Zach being so lost in his thoughts he was cleaning the same spot of the board ten minutes into class. What? We tried to shake him awake but even Ms. Sumners was unable to shake him out of his daze that she had to begin class with him in the background. As much as I was tempted to sit in my seat and snicker along with the class, Sandy and I stood in front of him as if we were his bodyguards. We dared anyone to make fun of him. Well, Sandy's glare dared anyone to laugh. I was just another laughing stock for them. When Zach finally did wake up, his cheeks flushed to the brightest red I'd ever seen. He couldn't even say a coherent sentence until class was over.

And now we're walking back to her apartment. I stayed as far away from the road as
I could to avoid a repeat of this morning. I'm pretty sure she will catch a cold and I don't want that so I'm going to prepare the best stew to make sure she doesn't end up sick and has to send me to school on my own. I frowned at the thought. Here I am only thinking about what's beneficial for me, not actually caring about Sandy's well being. I sighed in exasperation. This did not go unnoticed by Sandy.

"What's up?" she asked out in her usual manner. She didn't bother to look at me which relieved me a bit. Even so, I shook my head.

"Nothing," I lied. She hummed before asking again.

"Is it your brother?" I tensed up at the question. I mean, I am sort of upset about him...

"Kinda," I ended up admitting. After having told Sandy about my older brother, Kupkake, she's been understanding and hasn't brought it up. But now here she is. I sighed once more. Then again, Sandy is currently the most important person in my life. She actually cares about me whereas everyone else, aside from Zach, detest my guts. I bet even Kup hates me when that stupid rumor reached my old home. He seemed so disappointed in me when he walked into our parents and I arguing with each other. Tears pricked my eyes as I remember how I had noticed him enter the living room, staring at the ground. I remember how when I called out his name to support me he ignored me and went up the stairs that were on the opposite end of the room. He did nothing to help me out...

My hood got tugged forward until I was face to face with Sandy. She held a neutral expression as she grabbed the scarf that was simply wrapped under my chin and tugged it upwards over my face. I remained confused until I realized she was wiping away tears slipping out of my eyes. My face heated up and was thankful the scarf was covering my reddened cheeks. Once she was sure the scarf wouldn't slip off, she patted my cheeks with a smile.

"Wouldn't want anybody to see your pretty face ruined by tears," she said. My cheeks flushed redder and my eyes went wide. She chuckled at my reaction and turned back around, walking down the sidewalk. While I was clearly embarrassed, I found myself getting a little annoyed. She always seems to have this effect on me that makes me so flustered. The things she's done are all things I or other girls have done to me. You know, girl code? I got your makeup, you got mine? Never heard of it? Only me??

Well, whatever. I followed closely behind Sandy as to not lose her. I may have lived in this town most of my life but me being the rich girl I was, I never really ventured out into town much. Even when I did I came with my brother for a few things in his car. Walking around is a completely different concept. Even while I was living in the streets I only stayed in one alleyway after I was fired. I glanced at the scarf wrapped around my face. I feel so warm and comfortable, I wonder where Sandy got it from?

Before I knew it, we were already walking into the apartment complex. The first floor was noisy as usual what with all these kids running around. The second floor was a little loud but not too much. Finally, the third floor can almost be considered where the dead live. At least that's what I had heard one of the kids say the other day. It sent shivers down my spine. It was eerily quiet. Sandy took out the keys from her pocket and started to fiddle with it until her shaky hands finally got it in. Wait, why is she trembling? Realization quickly hit me and I pushed her onto the couch as soon as she removed the key of the open door.