The Teacher's Girl

Chapter 4 - Distant

I walk out of bio overworked and tired from all the threats and glares, thinking about skipping English today.

When did this rumor start? How did it start? All I know is that I should keep some distance from Mr. Everlast, just until it blows over. But who can say when that will be?

I decide to not skip class. I walk to the English section, notebook in hand. Still, people are staring at me with cold-blooded eyes. Some girls stare at me while talking to their friends.

"I knew she would do anything to see her boyfriend." A person says in the corner

"That little whore"

"I knew she wasn't that smart, cheater."

I feel sick and I can't breathe a bit. These girls look about ready to kill. The walls almost look like their moving, pushing the girls closer towards me. I step up my pace, breathing becoming difficult.

Why am I letting them get to me? Am I really worried about a rumor? This is the only time I know where a rumor has affected me.

I'm almost to the room when I see that the door is completely impassible. It's blocked by an angry mob of girls. They let everyone who belongs in the class through. Once they spot me, which was easy, they all cross their arms and give me a smart-ass face. I feel even more uneasy now. Practically everyone was staring at me. They all seem so close to me, my vision slightly blurring.

Come on Emma, do not let them get to you. Just think for a second. Breath. If I try and go to class I'll get even more hate and probably be beaten up, but if I don't then my mom will be mad, and I might lose a scholarship of a lifetime to this school. Maybe I can wait them out. I'll just leave and show up late.

I make my way back the way I came. I still feel the devil eyes of angry girls behind me. Walking still was a struggle, feeling myself tipping and swaying. The walls do not move as much as before, but the claustrophobia is still apparent. I try to look like nothing is affecting me at all, but it's a hard task. I see the door of freedom, and I push it open with all the strength I could manage at that point. I gasp for the light, crisp, autumn air, dropping all my stuff on the cement stairs and sit down. I put my head in between my legs and breath. My head is spinning and pounding. Feet step past me, snickering, and giggles.

Is this what a panic attack feels like?

I don't know how long I was there sitting on those stairs for. I didn't even notice the strong warm arms hugging me. The homey smell of wooded pine around me. I looked up with a dazed look on my face, to stare at Gale's smiling concerned face looking at me.

"You okay there Em?"

"Today couldn't be any worse," I said putting my head in the bend of his shoulder.

"I know. Hey, you know I was joking the other night, right?" He said hugging me tighter and rubbing my back comfortingly.

"Duh. I know you wouldn't say anything that would completely hurt my feelings." I said poking my head to look up at his worried face. I smiled, and he smiled back, still holding me tight.

"Good because I was worried about you. I don't like to see you all torn up." He looked deep into my eyes with his blue eyes. We were so close that I could see the stubble on his chin.

"I know." We were nearly inches apart now.

"I'm sorry I didn't speak to you sooner, I got busy with class and stuff like that all the way across campus." He got closer.

"It's okay." Three inches now.

"Well I was going to text you or something, but then I saw you here, and it looked like you needed a friend." And closer.