red | e.d

twenty six

EDEN-JADE THURLOW

The drive back from the hospital was silent, both my brother and I aware that this could have possibly been the last time we see our mother alive. It was a horrible thought, one that broke my heart into a million tiny pieces. She hadn't truly been living for the past few years, but now she was really going to be gone.

Was it bad that I almost questioned whether her actually, physically, dying... was going to make much of a difference? I wanted to beat myself up when the question came to mind, but I couldn't help it. She'd been gone for years.

I bit my lip to stop it from quivering when I thought such a thing, the anxiousness in the pit of my stomach growing when Alex's car turned into the school parking lot. It felt like deja vu from this morning, as he turned towards me, raising his brow.
" Go get him, Jade " My brother teased, making me roll my eyes as I practically jumped out of his car, heading towards the entrance doors.

As soon as I stepped inside the building I had left without permission during school time, only a few hours ago, I spotted our principal talking to a security officer on the other side of the hall. I tried to sneak back inside without being spotted but I failed, his finger pointing towards me, as if he had just been talking all about my mystery escape.

" Eden-Jade Thurlow! Get back here! " He yelled, his voice croaky and strained as his loud footsteps followed me through the hallway.
I knew what time it was, planning this perfectly. I couldn't help but let the mischievous smirk grow on my face as I swivelled around on the heel of my foot, so that I were facing him. I continued walking backwards as I did this, watching as he stopped dead in his tracks, shocked, but also fuming with anger.
Perfectly on cue, the school bell rang for next period, and I held my middle finger up in the air, at Principal Marino. He saw it, his eyes widening slightly as he gave me a look, one that said everything for me. I was going to regret flipping him off and disobeying him, but at that moment, I didn't care.

Students flooded out of their classrooms, distracting him from me, as I blended into the crowd. He yelled my name a few more times, a groan of frustration sounding from his lips as he tried to squeeze his way through the hundreds of teenagers, unable to reach me. I swivelled back around and continued walking forwards with a smirk, going to find the boy I needed to speak to. Everyone watched me as I did this, a few people whispering, aware that Principal Marino was shouting for me, and I did absolutely nothing about it.

RED

I made my way to his next class, hoping to catch him on the way there. To my luck, I spotted him walking down the hallway by himself, and I started speed walking towards him, desperate to pull him to the side. Anywhere where it could be just us two, for a few seconds, would be perfect.

Ethan didn't even spot me, he only snapped his head towards me when I grabbed his wrist, pulling him into the empty classroom beside us. He was shocked to see me, as he was under the impression that I'd snook out a few hours prior, but I didn't have long. I was minutes away from getting kicked off of the damn property for good for my previous stunt, and I had something that I wanted to say.
" W-What're you doing here? I thought you left "

I nodded, shutting him up by speaking fast. I had no time to dilly dally around, I needed him to know this. I hated the idea of him thinking any less of himself because my communication had been terrible. I'd been selfish, and I was done acting that way. He needed to know that.
" I don't have much time, I'm probably getting suspended, but- " I tried to begin, only for the boy to widen his eyes, cutting me off.
He was too good, his main concern being the fact that I was getting myself in trouble.
" What? You're getting suspended?!? " Ethan's voice was shocked, but when I peeked my head out of the room to see Principal Marino and our school's security guards heading down the hall, I spoke up.
" Shut up, for a second- " I was about to explain that I had made my mind up, and that I wanted to be with him and only him, or at least try to, until the boy interrupted me once again.

" Don't tell me to shut up, Jade. I-I already told you, I'm done with this until you stop messing me around like I'm stupid. Because I'm not " He told me, his words wasting more and more time.
I glanced out of the classroom again to see that they were inching closer, my mind going blank when I turned back to Ethan, frustrated.
" For fucks sake, I know you're not! I'm trying to tell you- " I began, my lips sealing shut when Ethan sighed, his shoulder brushing against my own as he walked out of the classroom.
He turned back to me and his hazel eyes met with mine, the pain inside of them making me frown.
" I've got to get to class. Just text me whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait.. another hour " Ethan announced, glancing down at his watch to see that there was only an hour left of school.

I couldn't wait, in fact, I had to say it now while I still had the rush of adrenaline, or else I didn't know whether I would say it at all.
" It can't wait, Ethan. I know you're annoyed and I understand why but please, just listen to me! " I begged, noticing the small ounce of hope that appeared in his once hurt filled eyes, only for it to be ripped away when Principal Marino arrived by my side, the security guards folding their arms against their chests out of frustration.

" I'd love to listen to your explanation for all of this, in my office. Now " Principal Marino said sternly, nodding towards the end of the hallway with his head.
He started to walk away, only until he turned back towards me, his cruel eyes glancing over at Ethan, who was rather confused.
" And I'll be seeing you in detention, Dolan "

My jaw dropped at this, knowing that Ethan had a crystal clear record with zero detentions. He was one of the top students here, in fact, probably the top student, and I knew how hard he had worked.
" No! Suspend me, expel me, do whatever the fuck you want but don't punish him. It was all me " I tried to get him to take away the punishment, only to see the satisfactory smile arrive on our principal's chapped lips.
I thought that this was it, I was finally going to get expelled. I mean, I really should have seen it coming. After years of causing chaos, I was surprised I hadn't been kicked out the first time I sold drugs on property, or the first time I got in a fight. However, when Principal Marino spoke next, I realised that this were not the case, and Ethan was as angry as ever when he heard it. I knew that I'd fucked up by coming back, I shouldn't have even tried.
" Congratulations. You just got your friend two weeks worth of detention "