The Truth Hurts

Chapter 25

Summer wasn't as glamorous or fun filled as I hoped it would be. I actually didn't do anything at all the whole summer. After signing up for Sunshine Gymnastics, I didn't have any plans to do anything. I was usually in my room or in the theatre room and kept to myself. My parents also noticed this and they were getting more and more worried as the days went on. I still never told them why I'm not going out with my friends anymore. But when they did, I would just shrug my shoulders and go back to my room.

That's not even the worst part. School starts tomorrow and I'm everything but ready for that. I'm pretty sure news of what happened spread to everyone in our class. And maybe even some other people too. I'm not even sure if this situation is more worse than when I was in elementary school.

I roll over to my night stand sitting next to my bed and checked my alarm clock. It's currently 1:37 a.m. Another sleepless night. I sigh and roll back into a comfortable position. I know I should be going to sleep but I also can't help but think of all things that could happen to me at school tomorrow. If people could be so primitive in elementary school, I'd hate to see what they could do in high school.

My hands start to shake and my eyes start water as all the things that happened to me in elementary school start flooding back at me all at once. The loneliness of knowing your peers don't like you and the name calling...not something I'd wish upon anyone.

*******

Unlike my usual mornings before school, this one is slow. And I'm making it like that on purpose. The later I get to school, the better. I was actually ready to head out the door already except for the fact that I still need to eat breakfast.

I was ready to greet my parents but was instead greeted by a note on the island counter. It read:

Hey El! Sorry for the late notice but your father and I had to fill in some shifts for the people who called in sick late. We both hope you have a great first day of your senior year! Whatever you're going through right now will get better! I made you a smoothie and it's in the fridge.

Love you always,
Mom and Dad

A warm tear rolled down my cheek after I read the note. Not telling my parents is killing me. I always told them everything that was happening in my life, whether it'd be good or bad.

I took my smoothie out of the fridge and reluctantly made my way to my car. And when I did, I pulled out of the driveway and set off for school. With each foot I traveled, the faster my heart raced in my rib cage. But all too soon, the buildings of the school came into view and I'm already pulling into a parking space.

In front of me is the usual beginning of school scene. The same friend groups waiting in front of the school until the warning bell rings. But the only thing different with the scene in front of me is that the groups seem more "huddled" together more than usual. Like they're talking about something serious.

I wait in the car for one last moment until preparing myself for what's to come my way. Because there's no doubt almost all of those people knows what happened at the resort. Grabbing my bag from the passenger seat, I exit my car and made my way toward the gates of the school.

As I pass the groups of people, the loud talking seemed to hush down to whispers, proving my point that they all know what happened.

"Who knew someone you thought was smart was actually stupid" someone poorly whispers as I pass by.

I almost stopped in my tracks when I felt a pang to my heart. I try to fight the horrible memories that were threatening to resurface so I quickly disregard the statement as it could be about someone else and continued in this seemingly long hallway.