Looking For You

Chapter 2 - Isolation

Chapter 2 - Isolation

“Please make sure to grab a copy of this worksheet on your way out. It will be due tomorrow but you’ll have class time to work on it.”

I gather my books from my table before I stand while conversations build up in the classroom as class ends. Mrs. Barnett hands out the worksheet to passing students with a warm smile that no one seems to return back.

I feel empathy towards her, thinking about my times when I do something good for someone and they don’t even appreciate my work. It hurts me to think how rude people are to such lovely people.

I try to jump the queue to catch up to Christian to thank him for defending me earlier today, but he rushes out of the classroom without taking a worksheet. Hmph. He’s always in a hurry. I wonder why?

Mrs. Barnett hands me the worksheet with her smile and I thank her, mirroring her smile. I make a beeline for the door and enter the busy hallway that I was faced with before. I always catch the most busiest times of the break period because I’m always let out last. It’s impossible for me to push past everyone and demand everyone to part like what Moses did with the Red Sea; I’m too nice to be rude.

My feet pick up the pace as I travel through the familiar sea of students, hurrying to get to their lockers. The same boys throw the same ball above everyone’s head and I cringe at my last memory. I make a note to myself to move fast and swiftly, and to not drop my books.

I come around to my locker and put my books in, carefully looking around to see if the coast is clear of any balls. Those boys don’t seem to come around. Phew. I’m lucky this time. I shut my locker and push the combination upwards to lock it, making sure it is fully locked.

As I turn away to start heading for the cafeteria, that familiar feeling hits my back. Maybe I’m not too lucky.

Pain hits me hard from behind and my back arches from the ball that hit it. I turn to see those same boys that hit me before, but instead of laughing their heads off and not acknowledging my existence, they stare wide eyed at me, scared of how I’ll react.

I look around to see if Christian is here to save me, but I’m afraid I’m all by myself this time. I’m snapped out of my thoughts when one of the boys picks up the ball from beside me and looks at me with his wide eyes and fearful face. They’re too stunned to even say something, but I put on my lightest look to say that I’m not angry — which I am.

“We’re so sorry, again.” The blonde-haired guy said. All I do is nod and let them off; I don’t want to stay here too long because I’ve got somewhere to go. And it’s not the cafeteria. I feel bad for Tibby, because she’s going to be all alone again. And maybe a bit longer.

I head in the opposite direction of the cafeteria, the direction Christian went after we locked eyes. I’ve never really been down here out of my time being here because this is more the science and sports classrooms. I do neither subjects and don’t plan to in the future.

My feet come to a stop at a door, slightly ajar, signalling maybe someone has come in here recently. I knock on it lightly, but loud enough for someone to open the door literally straight away.