Legends

School Pt. 1

Zack had to leave early for work the next morning. I hated to keep him away from his responsibilities. But he wouldn't take no for an answer and stayed every time I needed him. I didn't deserve someone like him.

I didn't want people to feel bad for me. I didn't want to give them the idea that I wasn't doing okay. After going through my clothes for ten minutes, I realized the only thing I wanted to wear was a sweatshirt and leggings.

At least I brushed my teeth.

I walked down the hall, my backpack over my shoulder, and stopped just before Shiloh's bedroom. I could hear soft cries coming from inside the room.

Then I heard dad's voice. "Do you want me to stay home with you?"

"You need to go to work, Ben. I should be at work."

"Your boss said to come back when you're ready."

She took a deep breath, struggling to stop crying. "I can't... I'm not ready."

"Stay home today. Get some rest."

"All I've been doing is resting. I just sleep and worry about Kinsley and-"

"I know, I know. I'm worried about her, too."

I quickly went past the open door and saw them sitting on his bed. It wasn't made, it never was. I had a feeling mom wanted to keep things exactly the same, to keep his memory alive I assumed.

Adrian and I said nothing as he drove. He didn't even have the radio on, maybe as a way to convince me to talk. But it wasn't working. I wasn't interested in talking after he'd yelled at me the night before.

I got out of the car before he could say anything to me and tossed my backpack over my shoulder. I wasn't sure how people would treat me. I honestly just wanted to be left alone and get through the day on my own.

I made it all the way to my locker before anyone stopped to talk to me. Thankfully, it was someone I actually wanted to talk to.

"Hey, Kinsley." Mindy had a jean jacket on over a yellow dress. Her hair was pulled back and she was wearing makeup.

"Hey."

"How are you doing?"

I pulled out my English book and shut the door. "I'm fine."

"How's your mom doing?"

"Not that great."

She frowned. "I'm sorry."

"How are you doing?"

She shrugged. "I'm alright. My parents have me seeing a therapist."

"Is it helping?"

"I think so. I'm not as... lost."

I nodded, staring at the checkered floor under my feet. "That's good."

"Maybe you should see someone." She offered.

"I don't think that will help." I stopped outside of my class. "I have to go."

"Just think about it, Kinsley. It might help."

I walked into the classroom and took my seat. Thankfully, I sat by the windows in English. I was just enough out of the way that the entire class wouldn't have to walk past me to get to their seats. I didn't want the awkward 'I'm sorry' or 'sorry for your loss.'

Ms. Banks walked over to me, her heels clicking on the floor as she took each step. She had a stack of papers in her hands, gripping them like they were a lifeline.

I tried not to sigh as she walked up to me. I wasn't a mean person and I wasn't usually a person the teachers warned each other about. I didn't want to become that person, either.

"It's good to have you back, Kinsley."

I nodded, using my grief as an excuse not to talk.

"I have your work for you. There's no rush on it."

I took the stack of papers and tried not to look so surprised. I'd missed almost two weeks and would have missed more if dad hadn't forced me to go back.

Several kids near me quickly averted their gazes when Ms. Banks walked back to the front.