Keeping Real - Ashton Irwin

Chapter 7

Nirvana blared into my ear buds as I made I got out of my truck the next morning:

"Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint. Forever in debt to your priceless advice. Hey! Wait!"

 As Kurt Cobaine sang to me, I attempted to ignore the stares I was receiving.

That morning I had tried relentlessly to cover up my deepening blue and black eye with makeup. I had never been the beauty queen, and my mom had of course left early, so I was stuck on my own. After the third try, I gave up. And I decided to come to school in all my black and blue glory.

Luke walked beside me to my first period; I was astounded. He hadn't done that since the first day of freshman year, nearly three years ago. Luckily we didn't run into Connor or his friends-they would be gotten their asses kicked if we had.

In first period, I ignored everyone. The 'whispers' of the kids behind me could've been audible across the room, and it was infuriating. Mr. Toore just solemnly appraised me before continuing to pass out papers. I was grateful that he didn't ask me about my ordeal-because then I would have had to come up with some lame excuse involving my clumsiness.

The next two periods were grueling. During passing period before first and second period I saw one of Connor's friends: the red-haired one. As soon as he saw me he rolled his eyes, turned to his friend, and whispered something. I shoved my way through the hallway and walked towards my second period.

Every second I had to endure the stares and the whispers I resented, but I was just looking forward to fourth period because Calum and I had Culinary together. He was sure to cook up something that would make me smile and forget about Connor. 

Fourth period was heaven. Not only did I have it with Calum, but  we were making pumpkin pie. I did a victory dance. Mrs. Johnson, one of my favorite teachers-probably because she taught about food all day . She gave a few questioning glances at my swollen face, but didn't ask any questions.

Calum walked in the room several minutes after I did, earbuds in his ears. He was oblivious to the rest of the world as he sat down next to me, air strumming and mumbling the lyrics to an All Time Low song. 

The bell rang for class and Mrs. Johnson began instructing the class on how to make the pie crust. "Calum." I said quietly, attempting to get his attention; I failed. I tried again, and poked his side. He jumped, jolted out of his alternate universe. He frowned and took his headphones out. "What?" he asked, exasperated. "That was my favorite line in Somewhere in Neverland. You know, the line that's like, Wendy run away with me, I know I sound crazy. Don't you see what you do to me?" 

I nodded. "Of course I know that line. I'm the one that showed you that band."  I smirked, and he shook his head. The class dragged on. Apparently, making pumpkin pie can be difficult if you don't do everything right. So Mrs. Johnson spent the class teaching us about crust.

I felt a nudge at my hand. A small piece of paper was wedged between my pinky and ring finger. I had strong suspicions that it was Calum's doing. When I looked at him, he feigned deep interest in Mrs. Johnson's discussion about pie crust. I chuckled and unfolded the paper.

How's 2day goin? Have you seen Connor yet?

I picked up my pen and wrote back:

My day's fine. Thx 4 asking. The worst part is people staring or whispering about me. They all think that I got run over by a car. WTF is all I can say. And no, havent seen Connor. When I do, he's going to get more than his nose broken.

I flicked the paper over to Calum's side of the table and resumed my steady stare at the board. Calum laughed quietly and scribbled something before quickly handing the paper to me again.