Searching for a Perfect Day

The Differing Views

Chapter Fourteen: The Differing Views

There’s nothing she can wish for more than this entire thing to blow over. How her week started should’ve been a good indicator for how the rest of it would go. The stares and mutterings haven’t ceased—if anything they’ve grown exponentially. She susses that she’ll get used to it in due time, but right now, especially because of the falling out with a person she considered to be a pretty good friend, everything is within hearing range, and none of it is good. 

She’s not sure how it’s become a trend as well, but after her last class, someone would always be waiting for her just outside its threshold. Kristoff had been the usual, a sheepish smile across his wide face that she answers with a roll of her eyes. This happens for three straight days until she literally has to tell him, to his face, that she doesn’t need a babysitter and she understands that he didn’t mean to…well…shatter a friendship into irreparable pieces. 

“I need to learn to lock doors after pizza deliveries. Will you learn to let this go? Please?”

His chocolate brown eyes soften as his face resumes the sheepish smile. “I just think you two should talk. Not…yell until your voices are hoarse and neither of you are able to think, but just…talk.” 

Anna’s grip on her helmet tightens as it swings at her side, pushing the metallic double doors roughly as she exits the school. To her growing chagrin, her blond friend follows step by step. 

“I remember talking,” the redhead says, giving a mockingly thoughtful look that the young man rolls his eyes to. “I remember telling her to say her piece because I know I’m not doing anything wrong. And instead of understanding. Instead of trying to see me instead of the situation, she…she…” Anna breathes in roughly, stopping suddenly and facing her therapist who has to stop abruptly so they don’t end up as a pile of bodies in the middle of the parking lot. “I’m tired of people telling me that I’m wrong,” she says resolutely, locking eyes with his, and seeing the flash of apology in his countenance makes her want to scream at the injustice of everything all the more. “I’m tired of people judging me with their eyes. And Christ, only a couple of people are truly aware how close to home this is actually hitting and yet I get stares and mutters…like I’m making out with Elsa in the middle of the classroom or something! One of these days…I’m going to do that. Maybe it’ll shut everyone up.” 

“Something tells me you’ll get the exact opposite effect…” 

She turns around and begins trekking to her motorcycle with renewed vigor. “Well, at least everyone’ll be saying something worthwhile instead of the crap I hear at a daily basis.” 

Her ears pick up Kristoff’s heavy sigh behind her. Another turn and she gets to her vehicle, her steps slowing as her eyes catch an unfamiliar classmate standing by her motorcycle. She notes the way the girl’s eyes light up as she strides closer, unsure whether she should shove her head in her helmet or not.