I'll Sing For Me

5.

The next morning, I was out off my house earlier than usual. Plus, instead of waiting for Steph at our usual spot, I met her at the end of her drive way.

"Hey!" She smiled as I turned to face her.

I saw how Steph's face dropped upon seeing me and I felt so guilty that she could sense something was up.

"Are you okay? You look exhausted." She asked me softly, placing a hand on my good shoulder.

I looked at her deeply then. Could I tell her? I've never mentioned a word to her about what happened when I was fourteen. Could I tell her about last night?

"Yeah. Crappy night's sleep. The folks are fighting again. Kept me up all night." I lied, smiling at her. Now I felt guilty for not telling her. Steph is my best friend, my only friend, but I didn't want to burden her with my worries. I don't want her to judge me or lose our friendship.

We walked to school, arm in arm, till I pulled my jacket on closer to my body. I still felt dirty from last night.

As we got closer to the school, I was relieved. It is my haven away from all the crap at home. Well, most of the day, anyway, if I don't run in to the bitch gang. My head full of thoughts and a couple times I went to tell Steph but chickened out.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked again as we slowly walked around the school.

"Uh, yeah. Why?"

Steph pulled her hair behind her ears, facing me. "You seem quieter than usual."

I gripped at my bag, slung on only one shoulder. The bite mark on my other shoulder hurt too much to have the weight on it. I gave Steph one of my smiles and nodded. "I'm fine." I assured her.

We both got our timetables out and I smiled as we looked at each other's. I like Thursdays.

"Oh, we have health class together." Steph pointed out. "Plus art."

"Home room. You weren't in it yesterday." I frowned at her.

Steph blushed, looking down at the ground by our feet. "I was with Tommy." She admitted. I let out a small ah and left it at that. My friend was blushing hardcore. The school bell went and we turned to the class room that we had home room in. Home room was basically thirty minutes of last minute homework, announcements and chatting. I was so pleased that Steph was with me but if she actually wasn't, I guess I'll leave my nose in a book and study.

"Seats, people." The teacher called over our heads. Steph and I took our spot to the left, second row from the front. I sat down on the seat and Steph went to Mrs Harold to ask a question when the door busted open and we all stared at the door.

In came deputy principal Mr Walker and spoke quietly to our home room teacher, making Steph back up a bit for their privacy.

Mrs Harold clicked her tongue, her eyes not leaving the door then the deputy left. "In you come." She growled at someone and in walked none other than Dean Stevens.

I groaned, my body slackened in my chair. How many classes have I got with this troublemaker this year? I thought to myself.

"Take a seat right there." Mrs Harold demanded, pointing to me. Oh great, the table behind me is empty. "Sit down please, Stephanie."

"Yes miss." Stephanie grumbled but didn't move. She waited till Dean sat down before she came over to me.

"Elizabeth," the teacher called to me and I visibly shrunk even more in my chair. Please leave me alone, I begged quietly in my head. "That jacket is not school uniform." I knew where this was going.