The Love Box

Chapter 30

The cafeteria no longer just contained Ryan and Nicki, a few other ladies sat in the rows of chairs, and they're eyes fell on me, while I walked through the room, applauding they cheered for me.

Ryan and Nicki stood by glass; they turned to my attention as I approached them.

"The laundry room has been blocked off with tape," I informed them. "But it's nothing that we can't get through."

"I wonder if someone will be guarding it," Nicki said, watching the door to the cafeteria; her gaze turned to a glare, while footsteps sounded through the room.

I didn't even have to turn around to know who had entered, it was Claire. She was the only person I could think of that Nicki would give such a death glare to, and I wanted to send one Claire's way too. It was in best interest that I didn't though, because Claire at the moment thought I was on her side.

"You disappeared," Claire said, after she reached me, and she walked in front of me to see me directly. "I thought maybe something bad happened to you."

"No," I replied, hiding all emotion from my expression. "I was just setting up with the others."

Then my friends entered the room slowly, passing Claire and I. Each one of them gave me a sympathetic smile after they passed, but I gazed back with an apathy look.

"Next time just tell me when you're leaving," Claire said; then she walked for the exit ramming her shoulder into mine. "Sorry, my bad. I'll just be guarding the exit." Her words softened with her last words to avoid unwelcoming listeners into the conversation.

"Of course," I replied politely, but inside I was screaming at her. My shoulder hurt, and my hand found its way to rubbing it in hope of changing the pain to comfort. It seemed to work but not enough, after I was sure Claire had left I joined my friends by the glass.

"Does she know?" Courtney asked; she too stared at the doorway as if Claire would pop out any moment, but Claire didn't.

"I don't think so," I told her; then I glanced to Kai on the other side, but I couldn't see him anymore. Someone had decided to sit in the spot in front of him, blocking my view, so I couldn't see him anymore.

"I guess your recital will be starting sooner than we had thought," Nicki told us.

"Girls," Ryan announced, "Stand formation."

Our feet moved like puppets, mimicking what Ryan ordered. Our line was staggered, making a curvy line, which we had decided was best for our show with me being closer to the glass.

I began to spin, while my friends did too, and as time passed I saw their shapes moving around me. The crowd cheered and cheered, while I spun. My thoughts surrounded me, after a minute my stomach began to crunch, and I felt nauseous.

The world continued to spinning, even after I stopped; then I turned around to face the glass, and I lifted my arms, striking a pose. My reflection gazed back at me; the time was now, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.