I Probably Hate You

Four

Loud country music blared through the speakers of my car Friday morning. Mia's head bobbed to the music as she happily sang along. I sent an amused glance her way. It had been settled that Mia could put on her music the rest of this week after a long argument between Mia, Ed, and Grandpa that I'd wanted absolutely no part in.

My mood had lifted slightly this morning when I remembered that it was in fact, and finally, Friday, meaning after today I had a two day break from the hellhole I was headed to.

I dropped Mia off at her middle school and remembered just before she'd closed the door to say "have a good day!"

She looked a bit taken aback as she reopened the door fully. "Um, okay"

We arrived at our school a good ten minutes before the first bell rang. So far, so good.

A short, blonde haired boy knocked at Ed's window, laughing.

Greg Willingham was in fact number 34 on my list. One time last year I'd caught him trying to sneak into my room to do God knows what. He and Ed had been the best of friends for years and years.

Ed pushed his door open and took out his ear buds, grinning.

"What the hell do you listen to on that thing, man?" Greg asked as they walked away.

I managed to get to homeroom before the sencond bell rang today. I even went as far as sitting in the middle as opposed to sitting in the back like usual.

I went to my second period class, Home Economics. Gaten hadn't tried to speak to me since Monday and I truly hoped it stayed that way.

I was honestly still a little confused at his sudden interest in my family. Sure, he'd gone to the funeral, but that didn't mean he had to get all buddy-buddy with my siblings and I.

I was the first person in home economics to arrive. I happily chose a seat in the second to last row and plopped down onto it, knowing today I'd avoid sitting next to Gaten.

Everyone filed in except a certain someone. It was well past halftime of the period when Gaten finally showed up. He was panting a little,I noticed, and of course, of course the first person he happened to make eye contact with in the classroom was me.

I averted my gaze when Mr. Lance said "second time you're late in a week, Fallbrook. Do you want me to give you a detention?" He didn't seem like a 'pretty chill guy' to me, like Gaten had stated Monday.

"No, sir. I apologize"

"Care to tell me why you were late?"

Gaten walked closer to the teacher's desk and in a low voice said where he'd been apparently.

A part of me was childishly curious as to where he'd been.

We made eye contact for the second time when he went to take his usual seat, which I was not sitting beside, as usual. I turned away when his friend whose name I still didn't know leaned in to talk to him.

Today at lunch Eleanor walked into the cafeteria alongside the two girls who'd approached our table and spoken to her. Rose and something. I didn't really care, nor did I necessarily remember which one of them was Rose.

Eleanor was laughing and she looked...... happy.

Making a quick decision in my mind, I discreetly picked up my lunch bag and left the cafeteria through the exit that led to the parking lot.

As I walked to my car I texted Eleanor.

Feeling kind of sick. Might just eat in the car.