Dreamers

Chapter 4

Ally’s POV

            When I wake up the next morning, I can barely drag myself out of bed on time. I throw on the first pair of skinny jeans I see and then spend another minute looking at my clothing options. I eventually decide on a cozy, slightly oversized tan sweater that feels just like a blanket. I pull my hair back into a ponytail and put on my usual makeup before putting on a pair of blue socks, grabbing my furry moccasins and rushing downstairs.

            Mimi is already downstairs when I get there, scrolling through her phone while eating a bowl of cereal. Dad’s looking at CNN on the computer and Mom is making lunch for Mimi and me.

            I get myself a bowl of cereal and pour milk before sitting down across from Mimi. She gives me a funny look when I sit down, and I make a face back at her.

            We’re out the door right on time. I’m about to ask Mimi about the face she gave me when she starts rambling about some drama situation among her friends. It reminds me of a current situation I’m facing, but I don’t say anything to Mimi. I chew on the inside of my cheek and nod along to her story.

            When we get to school, I park in our usual spot and walk to my locker with my head down. When I get there, my head snaps up because a pair of Nike sneakers stands in front of the locker.

            “Ally, I –” The voice belonging to the sneakers starts.

            “Alex, I don’t want to hear it.” I say firmly.

            His deep brown eyes stare into mine sadly, and I stare firmly back. It takes all of my willpower not to touch him in some way, but I can’t, and that’s the end of that. He readjusts his hat over his short brown hair and opens his mouth to speak again. I turn away from him and open my locker, trading out my books.

            When I turn back, he’s still standing there, not saying anything. He’s closed his mouth. I swallow and say something I should have said a long time ago.

            “Goodbye, Alex.”

            Then I turn and quickly walk away. I force myself to not look back, but sneak a peek over my shoulder when I turn the corner to first period. He’s still standing there, watching me walk away. I square my jaw and walk into English.

            I sit in my usual seat, and am taking out my notebook when a thought hits me. What if someone saw me talking to Alex? The hallway wasn’t super crowded, but all it would take is one person talking to Samantha to find out. I chew on the inside of my cheek, which is quickly forming a sore spot.

            This thought, once in my head, swirls around and around until it’s all I can think about. Luckily, Mr. Alberts doesn’t seem to notice.

            The rest of the morning, that’s the only thing I can focus on. At lunch the lunch bell, I head to my locker to switch out my books before I go to the library.

            However, when I get to my locker, there are three pairs of shoes standing in front of it. I look up, sighing. It’s Samantha Collins, Jessie Ralph, and Kat Langley. The three girls that, up until last month, I thought of as my best friends.

            “Hey Ally,” Samantha calls when I’m close enough. I avoid her eyes and head straight for the locker.

            I’m not worried about her getting physical – Samantha was never one of those girls – but about her words.