Dear Diary

Chapter 96

English was the last lesson of the day and, true to his word, Richard played the role of an angry ex perfectly. He arrived just before the bell rang and the whole class watched as he stalked towards his desk right behind me, not even glancing at me as he took his seat. If I didn't know he was pretending, I would've felt extremely hurt.

But then the students' curious gazes turned to me. I felt heat rush to my cheeks and I quickly ducked my head into my textbook. I didn't care about the glares I got from the student body in the corridors, but a lot of these students I was quite well acquainted with; which is a different story. 

Their gazes weren't judging, more along the lines of: why did you cheat on him? You're not the kind to cheat on someone.

The lesson dragged on like any other until ten minutes to the end of the class. I leaned over to ask Amy what an answer was and, without looking at me, Amy pushed the book in my direction. 

I blinked. "Is ... everything okay?" I asked with a frown.

"Yup," Amy responded, but she refused to look at me as she continued to write in her book. 

My frown deepened but I glanced at the page, silently writing down the answer before handing the book back to her with a soft 'thanks'.

She didn't respond as she took her book. I was perplexed by her behaviour. What did I do?

The bell rang, cutting off my train of thought and I began packing my things. When I looked up again, Amy had already disappeared. I frowned.

"Hey, you ready to go?" I looked at Anne and nodded, grabbing my bag.

"So, what's the deal with you and Richard?" Anne asked once we were out of the classroom. Students bustled around us, drowning out our conversation.

"We decided to 'break-up'. He's just playing the role of a boyfriend upset about finding out his girlfriend cheated on him," I explained and Anne nodded.

"Doesn't put you in a very good light, does it?"

"No," I agreed and frowned. "What's up with Amy? She's been acting weird."

Anne shrugged. "I haven't noticed anything. Maybe she's just having an off day?"

"Maybe ..." I trailed off, not convinced. 

I've known Amy her whole life (I'm eight months older than her), and I had a feeling that there was more to her behaviour than an off day – a lot more.

-

"Come on, Dobey, let's go for a walk," I said later that evening as I grabbed his lead. 

I had already finished all my homework while I sat at my dad's workshop, so my evening was free. Although exams were three months away, I didn't feel like studying. I just needed a walk to clear my head.

"Where are you going?" Mom asked as I opened the front-door, drying a plate in her hands.

"I'm taking Dobey for a walk," I replied and she immediately shook her head.

"No, you're not. You're still grounded, remember? That means no more walks. Now go back to your room."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "But ... Dobey needs his walks."

She couldn't be serious. I barely have a social life as it is; now she wants to take away my walks?

"Your father and I can exercise him; you're not leaving this house," Mom said and fixed me with a hard stare.

I pressed my lips into a thin line, trying my best to keep from snarling at her. I looked away and closed the door, unlatched the lead from Dobey's collar, before turning on my heel and marching off to my room - closing my door roughly behind me – making sure my mom heard it.