Not Like Before

Chapter 4

Laura's POV

I do not wanna go to school today. Chandler will be there and I'm not ready for that. I texted Zay and he said he'd help me hide the best he can, but I have third period with both of them. And I might just skip it.

"Laura hurry up!" Elliot called from the kitchen. I sighed and grabbed my bag, anxiety increasing with every breath I take.

Yes, I am aware of how edgy and dramatic that sounded.

Anyway, back to wallowing in my despair. What am I gonna do? I mean yeah I can hide for third period, but what if I have other classes with him? It's a small school, what if I see him in the hallway? He'd definitely notice me. I look almost the exact same, I just got longer hair now.

"Laura you okay?" I heard my dad ask. Sometime while I was thinking, I ended up in the living room.

"O-oh. Yeah, I'm good." I muttered and made my way to the car.

At school

I've successfully made it to first period without seeing him. Parker thinks I'm being dramatic, and he's kind of right I guess.

"Maybe he's not even here." I mutter to him. We're in math class and he won't stop bugging me.

"He is. Seen him on the bus sitting with Zay." Parker replied. I sigh deeply. "Zay didn't say anything about me did he?" I ask.

"No of course not." He says and I sigh in relief.

"Can't hide forever." He said and I rolled my eyes. "Watch me. Maybe they'll let me get my 3rd period changed." I said. Now it was Parker's turn to roll his eyes.

"And your sixth? You're taking that drama elective in the auditorium right?" He asked.

"He's in that class?" I ask nervously. Parker nodded.

"Yeah, Zay and I are too. But don't worry, he usually skips and goes out to the back of the school where there aren't any cameras and smokes." He shrugged.

Smokes?

I think I'm hyperventilating.

"L-like weed or—" I began. "No, cigarettes. At least I don't think he's dumb enough to smoke weed on school property." Parker shrugged.

I was gonna say something but was cut off by our math teacher, Mr. Ellis, telling everyone to get out their textbooks.

Later

When the bell finally rang after second period, I began to get even more nervous. But I really need to keep my cool here. Chandler's never seen me nervous, even when we were kidnapped by a literal crackhead rapist and I ended up getting shot. I kept my cool right up until the bullet hit my stomach. Sort of.

If I just stay calm nothing bad will happen, right? Or, I can follow my original plan and skip third period. Who needs Chemistry anyways?

I saw Zay in the hallway and immediately ran up to him. "Zay, I think I'll fake sick." I say quietly.

Zay shook his head. "Nope. C'mon. You're doing this." He said and grabbed my arm. I swallowed nervously as I was practically dragged in the Science Lab.

Once I'm in there, I don't look at anyone as I quickly make my way to my table. I sit in the back, so that helps I guess. I put my head down and I can hear Zay, who sits in front of me, laughing at me.

"Shut up." I mumble, though it was muffled. "Where'd all your confidence go?" He asked. I'm afraid to look up once the late bell rings, that means most people are already in here. Which means one of these many people around me, could be him.

Third Person POV

Zay was a little nervous for both Laura and Chandler. Chandler didn't know she was back, and he was about to find out as soon as the teacher did the whole, "we have a new student" routine. He got even more nervous when Chandler walked in the door, earphones in and oblivious.

Chandler made his way to the seat next to Zay, not really noticing the new girl with her head down behind him.

"Uh...h-hey Chandler." Zay said and Laura was secretly and silently panicking behind them. Chandler took out his earphones. "Hey, did you do the homework?" He asked.

When did his voice get so deep? Laura thought to herself.

"Yeah, you?" Zay responded. Chandler scoffed. "What do you think? Can I see your answers?" He asked.

Zay sighed. "Sure but if you get caught I'm saying I had nothing to do with it."

"I mean I think being in Juvie is a pretty valid excuse not to have done my homework, what do you think?" Chandler laughed.

As Laura listened to the conversation, she was surprised. This wasn't the Chandler she remembered at all.

"Alright class, we're gonna go ahead and take roll..." The teacher, Mrs. Rolka says. Zay groans and puts his head down and Chandler shoots him a weird look.

"Dude what's you're problem?" Chandler asked.

Zay sighed. "You'll see." He said, second hand anxiety evident in his voice.

Mrs. Rolka got through roll call and both Zay and Laura physically relaxed when it seemed like she forgot about her, but their ease was short-lived.

"Oh I almost forgot! Class, we have a new student." She announced and Laura slumped in her seat even more, if that was possible.

"Laura, honey why don't you make your way up here!" She said excitedly. Laura sighed and lifted out of her seat, quickly making her way up to the front of the class.

She was sure that her shaking knees would give out any second, but she made it.

She looked at the class in front of her and the only thing she could noticed was the pair of shocked, piercing blue eyes staring at her like they didn't believe she was really there.

Chandler had short hair now, and more of a defined jawline. Same freckles and blue eyes, although they used to be a lot softer. She would've really appreciated his new, more grown up appearance if it weren't for the circumstances.

She tried to smile at him, but she was sure it looked more like a grimace due to her nerves.

"H-hi I'm Laura and I went here a few years ago. That's about it, thanks!" She said nervously and hurried back to her seat, trying to ignore Chandler's disbelieving gaze.

He didn't say a word to her all class, and was the first one out of the room when the bell rang.

"Went better than I expected, honestly." Zay shrugged as they walked out.

A/N: AHHHHH I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THAT! THANK YOU FOR READING!