Broken Memory ✓

4. Moving Doesn't Rid the World of Dangers

"I can explain the math to you if you'd like. Mr. Ross is usually pretty busy."

I turn to face him, taken aback. "Uh... Yeah, sure. That'd be great, actually."

"Cool," he smiles very slightly, sliding my math sheet across our desks so we can both see it clearly. He grabs his pencil and slides his sheet up to mine, ready to point out things to me. "So, do you know anything that's happening in this problem?"

I tell him all I know, feeling foolish that I barely know anything. He's patient with me, though, and doesn't frown when I tell him I don't know much. I highly appreciate it.

About halfway through the hour, we're working on the 6th problem. I have a better grasp at the concepts I have missed due to moving schools, and it's all thanks to him... Which is surprising considering how much he had seemed to wish I didn't exist in the antique shop.

"Ashlyn, ready to take the test?" Mr. Ross walks by. "And Caleb, thank you for helping her."

"No problem," Caleb nods, looking back to his own worksheet. Caleb.

"I'm ready," I nod at Mr. Ross. He slides a packet onto my desk and walks away while I begin to work through the test.

By the time I'm three quarters through the test, a loud bell shatters my focus. School is over. I look up and see kids shoving to get out, but I take my time to pack up my things.

"Ashlyn, how far did you get?" Mr. Ross questions. I walk over with all my things and hand him the test.

"A quarter of it left to go."

"You can finish tomorrow, then. Have a good afternoon!" he waves.

"You too," I make my way out of the classroom, the halls filled with loud chatter and overall more enthusiasm. I made it. I open up my locker and shove everything into my backpack, excited to leave... Yet not wanting to go home.

Connor shows up next to me. "Congratulations, you've made it through your first day," he holds his hand up to high give me. I chuckle, slapping his hand. "Do you like it here, though?"

"Actually..." I think back to a couple of the schools I've been to.

Northwood was a massive school... And probably the most memorable. Intense bullying due to the immense amount of kids in one place. Loud. It was hard to control everyone.

Beaufor was small and forgettable. The teachers didn't seem to be qualified enough to work there and the school didn't have much money. There was such a small amount of kids already in their friend groups that it was horrible to try to make friends.

Somehow, Bridgeport is a perfect mix between over and underpopulated.

"Yeah?" Connor awaits my response.

"I think this school is the perfect mix between too many kids and not enough. I quite like it."

"Yes!" he pumps his fist in the air. "I was hoping you'd like it!" This makes me grin.

"Oh man, wait," I slam my locker. "I've got to catch the bus."

"Uhh..." he gestures to the window where I see bright yellow busses leaving the school.

"That's fun," I laugh a little. "At least my mom should be home. My dad is working, though... And... Ugh." I think about how much I hate it when Mom picks me up. She's always nervous about all the kids around... That she'll possibly hit one.

"Hey, both of my parents are gone and I live close enough to walk home. I can stay until you figure out how you're getting home," he offers.

"No, I don't want to inconvenience you, though," I sigh. I take my phone from my backpack and power it on, moving some blonde hair from over my eye to under my ear.