The Fallout

Chapter 31

"Mom please drop me off at school." I said, grabbing an apple from the refrigerator. My phone was in my pocket and I did not have a backpack with me.

My mom was making breakfast for herself, she would be driving to work in thirty minutes.

"What for?"

"Mom, you received a letter from Mr. Peterson saying that I needed to make up for the books we lost by working the school for a week."

"Oh that. Isn't Kylie coming to pick you up?" Even her name caused bile to rise in my throat. I hated guilt. But I was feeling a lot better after my conversation with Maddison and Riley. At some point I would have to tell her, but I would enjoy the whole thing first, fantasize about it as much as I can. They were right, I did enjoy the kiss and if Kylie and Henry were not together, I would gladly do it again.

"No mom, Kylie is only coming in the afternoon from Italy. She isn't around." Would I still go with her even if she was around though? I bet I would try to avoid her.

"Then take an Uber."

"Mom please. You know I don't have cash. Please." I begged.

"Alright alright, let me finish my breakfast and we'll go together."

"Alright." I went to wait for her in the living room.

...

I walked into the school, I was too early, only Mrs. Nelson was at school. It felt so weird walking in the hallway when I thought I had said goodbye to this school forever. I did not know if it was the anxiety of Kylie coming later, or Henry for that matter but my limbs were shaking as they walked. I felt unsettled.

I walked into the library and asked the librarian what I could help her with. She told me to dust the shelves in the meantime. I worked on it. Every time I heard footsteps across the hallway, my heart hammered against my chest as I thought it was either Kylie or Henry, even when I knew that Kylie wasn't coming to school.

I continued dusting the shelves, trying to calm myself down by inserting earphones and listening to music. I sang along, the librarian let it slide because I was just there to help.

A few minutes later I felt a tap on my shoulder and I got so alarmed that I turned by saying the words, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." My breath had even escalated. When I turned I realized that it was Janine. When last did I see that girl?

"Oh, it's you. Hi."

"What didn't you mean?" She asked without greeting me back.

"Nothing." I replied in a rush and went back to dusting, trying to avoid eye contact. She came with another duster and helped me. I removed the earphones and started having a conversation with her.

"I thought it was just seniors who had to work the school."

"No, it's the juniors and seniors."

"So you lose books too?"

"I told you, I'm not a nerd."

"You still get good grades though."

"Yes, but I do not behave like a nerd. And I get good grades because of the pressure I get from my mom."

"Alright, how were your holidays? I didn't know you'd be here, I would have brought the gift I got you."

"Aw! You got me a gift." She placed her hand on her chest to show how touched she was. "But I didn't get you anything, I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"And to answer your question, my holidays were great. I think I like someone."

"What? Are you serious?" I looked astonished.