Obsessed

Chapter 7

Slowly, the pain subsides and all the side effects of my panic attack wear off. This one wasn't that bad, I hadn't even started shaking or gotten dizzy yet.

The only problem now is getting back to class. How am I going to face everyone? Should I just leave?

It is school right? Everyone has to wag once in a while...

I hide in the bathroom for a while and look at myself in the mirror. My hair is loose so I fix it a little bit and apply some of my favourite lip balm.

The bells should ring in five minutes. I head towards the opening of the bathrooms and run right into Mrs. McGuire.

"Kristen, did I say you could go to the bathroom?"

"But-"

"No excuses. Detention tomorrow afternoon."

"I already have-"

"Then the next day. And don't give me attitude!"

I then follow her till I can change directions and go to the locker room. I still can't believe that I've been getting in so much trouble lately! What's going on?

Bridget comes over to me and asks what happened. Wait... Bridget isn't in my English class. Word obviously flies fast.

"What happened Kristen?! Did you have another... episode?" She whispers by my side.

"Yeah. But it wasn't bad. You don't need to worry about it."

"Ok. As long as you're alright now."

I walk her to the drop off and then take the bus home.

***

When I get home, Grandma tells me that mum is out of bed and wants to see me. Gran hugs me straight away and says that everything will be alright.

I walk to Mum's room, which is upstairs in the left wing. When Mum sees me, she stops what she is doing and almost starts crying. She runs to me, almost trips. I back away, afraid she's going to hurt me like Lewis did.

But all she does is wrap me in tight embrace. She holds me like that for a while. Her hair has turned grey but she's still beautiful. She tucks her head into my neck crook and cries softly.

"I'm sorry for abandoning you Kristen." I start hugging her back.

"I'm sorry Mum. I'm so sorry." I didn't realise that I had started crying too. We were both standing in a puddle of our salty tears.

Then I hear Gran clearing her throat in the background. "Would you like to come down for dinner?"

"So early?"

"You need time to do all your homework. And also explain why you have detentions."

***

The next day came around quick and Gran said that as punishment for getting detentions, she won't pick me up after. Walking will take... almost two hours.

Lucky me.

In home group, Mr. Graw decided that I shouldn't be sitting next to Kyle anymore. Especially since we talk so much. I ended up next to Harmony, which was great at the time. But the longer I sat next to her, the more I wished I was with Kyle. I glance in his direction but quickly turn back when our eyes meet.

I try to strike a conversation with Harmony. I tell her about having two detentions today and Friday. "Why?"

"Didn't you hear?"

"I wasn't at school."

"Yeah you were. I sat next to you at assembly. Come to think of it... you're in my English class."