Our Deep End | ✔️

CHAPTER 6

Elle's POV
"Cami hurry up! We're gonna be late!" I shriek, as we quickly pile out of her car. The sound of her boots violently sloshing against the covered gravel follow us as we enter the school building.

"I'm trying!"

The weekend passed by quickly since that night at Christians. I was praying that we'd have more snow and school would have to be shut down, but unfortunately it's clear skies all around. Camila picked me up for school this morning, as I'd usually catch a ride with Hunter. Friday evening was the last time we spoke. He hasn't texted or called, which blows my mind because we ended so abruptly.

I head to the bathroom before I go to class. I was already late, so I might as well fix myself. Today I was wearing a white open back long sleeve, tucked into some dark washed jeans and Ugg moccasins. Just because I felt like shit didn't mean I had to look like it. I had calculus first period, and so did Hunter. I wasn't looking forward to seeing him, but the plan is to act like he's not even there. Sure, I sobbed to him and begged him to love me, but now the story is 'I don't care if you don't' and I'm sticking to it.

"Ms. Maniquez, how lovely of you to join us," my teacher, Mr. Vacelli says as I try to enter the classroom as quietly as possible. I feel the redness hit my cheeks when the whole class looks up at me. Hunter included, but only for a split second before he directs his focus back to his paper. Sitting next to him, where I usually sat was Liv. I bet she's thrilled now that she can get all of his undivided attention for her stupid problems.

Don't start Elle. Don't start Elle. Please don't cry. So much for not caring. I quickly spot Christian sitting in the front of the classroom. He's got his glasses on, and for some reason it only made him more attractive. He looks up at me, and winks before pointing out an empty desk beside him.

"Our new student here refused to let anyone that wasn't you sit in that chair, and you show up late!" Mr. Vacelli continues as I slip into the seat.

"Won't happen again sir!" I assure him. I look over at Christian who's now focused on the problems in front of him. I didn't even attempt mine. There's no way I could concentrate. My anxiety was beginning to peak, and I was still trying to refrain from bursting out into tears. I can pretend I don't care in front of Hunter, but the truth still stands that I love him and would still do anything for him. The worst part about it is that he doesn't seem to care at all. Not even enough to shoot me a glance.

Had I not said what I said that night we'd still be together, so it makes me wonder if he had been itching to get rid of me all along. That hurts to think about. The rest of class painfully passes by, and it was kind of entertaining to watch Christian in nerd mode. It was only his first day, but he's already somehow ahead of the rest.

"How are you so good at math?" I ask, sipping my coffee as we sit in the library. He shrugs, and takes the cup out of my hand, taking a sip of it himself.

"How aren't you?"

"Um, because it's hard as fuck?" I snatch my coffee back.

"Not really. All you have to do is remember the steps and follow them. Like you're building a chair or some shit."

I laugh. It was second period and our next class wasn't for a while, so we're killing time in the library.

"Oh shit, are you coming to the winter dance tonight?" I quickly ask. The Winter Dance. Fuck. I completely forgot about that. Every year my school holds a huge winter dance. It's one of the biggest, and most anticipated events at Wilburton. Hunter and I had bought outfits and tickets weeks ago, assuming we'd go together. Now I wasn't sure if I was even going at all.

"Yeah, can't miss my first Wilburton event. Are you?"

"Nah, I don't think so"

I wasn't sure if Hunter was still going, but it would still feel wrong being there without him on my arm. A pang of sorrow hits, as I remember giddily trying on dresses with him standing outside the dressing room, reminding him not to peek while he gassed me up with compliments after I revealed each option.

"What? You gotta," he argues. "I need a date, and you're no good staying home in your feelings."

"Christian I can't. I don't like making excuses for myself, but right now I'm focusing on healing and this just hurts too much." It's true. The sadness within me is so persistent. The thing that annoys me the most is that I can never stay set on one mood. At certain points of the day I'm crying profusely, blasting every sad song created, while others I'm dancing around my room throwing up the middle finger, shouting "Fuck you Hunter" repeatedly. A majority of the time I'm sad, but those few moments of the day where I'm not totally depressed really makes all the difference.

"You wanna heal right? Well then the first thing is to not give into your sadness. If you don't go to the dance, what're you gonna do, stay home and mope around?"

He has a good point. Why should I have such a heavy heart, when Hunter is clearly more than fine and already onto the next bitch it seems. I sigh.

"Dance is at 8, be at my place by 7 otherwise I'm climbing back into bed and not leaving till morning."

I really hope for all our sakes that I made the right decision tonight.