Despite All Obstacles Part IV

All Week Long (Continued)

PATTHEW'S STORY

Wednesday, September 19th

This morning.

After saying hi to Gracie, I notice how cold she gets the more me and bro speak to her, like she'll just answer us out of politeness, but lack interest. She only speaks to Shortcake, without Shortcake having to speak first. I don't know why Gracie is giving me and bro the cold shoulder. Bro doesn't get why either.

During Chemistry Honors with bro, I can't stop thinking about what happened with Robyn, yesterday. She's in this class, sitting with Kimberleigh right now. I slowly peek at her, and she seems too busy to notice me. We're making sugar and salt to make tiny bags of vanilla ice cream. I didn't think she was capable of doing something like that to me, or anyone.

I know I told bro I was a little scared, but I was literally scared to death that something worse could've happened to me in that janitor closet. Something that no one will believe, report or notice, because society works that way when it comes to men.

After class, we give our lab experiments to Mr. Weinstein to resume on Friday, and before I know it, Robyn left with Kimberleigh.

"Darnit. She left all ready." I rush to the door and don't see her anywhere. I sigh.

"Patt, let's just go to lunch. You'll see her any time," bro tells me. We head to lunch. Robyn doesn't have Lunch B with us, she has Lunch C on both days, like Matt and the other main four cheerleading jerks.

During lunch, Gracie walks pass our table and decides to sit with Chastity Gomez, who's a grade above us, like Kimberleigh and Brandon. Chastity is like the friend who brags, interrupts and shouts at your face, for no apparent reason. That can be why no one wants to hang out with her. Well, besides Gracie. I have Chastity for S.A.T. Prep and French Honors. Also, she's rude to me.

This noon.

Once lunch is over, I see that Gracie left with Chastity early. I think she's avoiding me. Bro, Shortcake and I bump into Matt. Bro, he and I do our Three Stooges handshakes and he hugs Shortcake and lifts her up before bro, Shortcake and I leave the cafeteria.

This afternoon.

All afternoon, I can't find Robyn anywhere. I think she's avoiding me too.

During study hour and band practice at bro's, Gracie isn't available. I call her thrice, she goes to voicemail. I text her.

Me: Gracie? Are you okay?

No answer. I DM Gracie Roberts on Messenger.

Me: 👋

Me: 👋👋

Nothing. I wait for a response while practicing for our next performance at bro's.

This evening.

All evening, I've been on Facebook on my phone and laptop, after I ate dinner and gotten ready for bed, obsessively. I don't receive a message from Robyn at all. I'm both annoyed and confused about it. I need to know why she let Patricia mess with her head, and why is she messing with mine. I type and send her a message.

Me: Hey, Robyn. Yeah. We need to talk.

I still haven't gotten anything from Gracie. I stare at her perfect sketch of me on my wall near my window. I sadly smile at it.

I don't know why she's ignoring me and bailed on me thrice from our lunch, study hour and informal band practice. This isn't like her at all. I'm freaking out.