Unanchored: Inspired by Demi Lovato (book 1 of the unanchored series)

52.⚓

"For crying out loud, settle down!" Ms. Barry shouted, trying to silence the class before we all went our separate ways to enjoy our winter break.

I chuckled to myself at what she had just said.

"Look, I know you all are thrilled that you don't have to sit in a classroom hearing me read Animal Farm to you for the next two weeks, but I need you all to listen!" Ms. Barry said, drawing everyone's attention to her. Once she realized that everyone was listening, she spoke in a soft tone.

"Thank you. Now, as I was saying, when you come back from your break, your permission slip to participate in Junior Spirit Day is due on a Monday, so make sure you don't forget. All right, that's all for today."

As soon as Ms. Barry finished what she wanted to say, I began to pack up my things. The last period bell rang, and everyone bolted.

While the rest of the class was in a hurry and out of the door so fast, I did the same, but then I heard Ms. Barry call my name. I stopped in my tracks, turning around and pulling my right leg back into the room.

I sighed, shutting my eyes. "Listen, Ms. Barry, I already know what you're going to say, and I just don't think it's true at all."

Ms. Barry furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "Are you sure we're talking about the same thing?"

I hesitantly responded, nodding my head, when in reality, I didn't know at all what was her reason for keeping me behind class. I just wanted this conversation to end quickly because Demi was picking me up to help me finish packing for our trip to Bora Bora.

She told Emma and me the news after we almost had a bitch deathmatch. We both promised each other that neither of us would tell on each other. I never knew how conniving she could be. I didn't know that she had it in her. Like, who the hell told this girl how to manipulate others? Was it Demi or Nick? I know for a fact, it wasn't my ass. No fucking way. Me, exploiting others to get drugs? No way. Can't be me.

"Jade, are you listening to me?" Ms. Barry asked, making me unplug from my inner thoughts. "Yes, " I answered.

"You have to realize that it's essential that you get some help." Ms. Barry said. I shook my head in confusion. "Help?" I questioned, furrowing my eyebrows so hard that I felt my forehead wrinkle.

I was not prepared for what Ms. Barry ass going to say next. "Yes, help. Listen, I'm no doctor, Jade, but..."

"But what?" I snapped, getting pissed off. Ms. Barry sighed, looking at me with compassion in her eyes. "Ugh." I exclaimed in anger, rolling my eyes. "Just say it!"

"I think you may have dyslexia." I felt my heart stop. "Bull." I chuckled. Ms. Barry didn't say a word. Instead, she took the back of the pink paper that had the information of the field trip on it. She uncapped her red pen, wrote something down, and handed the paper to me. "Why don't you read this for me?" I glared at her extremely hard, sucking my teeth and snatching the paper away from her. The problem was, I couldn't read it. I gulped, looking down at the paper, crumbling it, and throwing it on her desk.

I slammed my hand on the desk. "Who the hell do you think you are, Jason Gideon? You have no right telling me—no, diagnosing me like you're some fucking doctor. There is nothing is wrong with me! Nothing, okay! I am not dyslexic! Do you hear me? I am not dyslexic!" I yelled, feeling flustered that I stormed out of the room. I felt tears plummeting down to my chin. I heard Ms. Barry shouting my name and begging for me to come back, but I didn't listen. I couldn't. I didn't want to.

As I'm making my way away from the classroom, I come across a familiar face. Michaela. She's standing at her opened locker, shocked. I was too embarrassed to say anything, so I hurriedly walked past her. I couldn't believe that she heard everything. She heard everything.