Chapter 7-

Wednesday started off kind of different. I woke up way too early, there was no breakfast on the table and mom was in a mood as she was pouring coffee in her thermos.

I asked her if everything was ok, she responded with a clipped tone that she was fine. "So no breakfast?" I wondered playfully.

"We'll get something in the drive thru," she grumbled while grabbing her purse and exiting the house. Ok, I cleared my throat, rolling up my sleeves and followed her.
Usually the car ride was silent or she spoke about politics.

Today, I haven't heard mom so angry in a while. "Your father, your father! I can't believe him! He has the nerve to call me out of the blue with his bullshit!" She swerved into the next lane, catching words like rude and selfish. The only thing I could do was tell her to relax, breathe and patted her hand to calm her down. She didn't need anything to happen to her health right now.

Since there wasn't anyone in the drive thru line, me and mom both got egg and sausage mcmuffin sandwiches, fruit parfaits and orange juice. Both of us ate in the car, parked in the lot. I wanted to ask mom what was really going on but I drank the rest of my juice. It's been a month since I came back, I thought she moved on. She had to. We all had to.

We finished, thirty minutes before school started, mom drove off as we said our goodbyes.

School started at 9:30AM. I got here at 9. Great. Now I had to find something to do for the next thirty minutes. I cut the corner of the hallway heading my locker for any book to read, then I heard a loud crash behind me. I jumped in fear, turning around to the source. Kyle spotted me, walking forward.

"Hey Jordan," said Kyle. Jason, Ralph and some other guy with black hair I've never seen before were right by his side.

I rolled my eyes and asked Jason,"didn't you graduate?" I shook my head.

"I got my GED," he replied taking a drink from his aluminum red bottle. Probably full of alcohol.

"Good for you." I sighed, trying to cut through them but Jason cut in my way. "What?"

Jason knew how to press my buttons easily. "How come I haven't seen you since? I tried calling." 

"We broke up and why do you care? We were just a fling, remember? A hook up to get your mind off things." I retorted his exact words. Drunk out of his mind, he kicked me out of his house during his tirade.

Literally threw me out on my ass. Me, trying to be a good girlfriend, I wanted to comfort him. He's so full of shit. My number hasn't changed,  My therapist told me to cleanse the past, especially if my former peers tried to pressure me to relapse. His number was erased and blocked anyway.

"I said that because well, I'm a dick."

"For sure," I agreed, there was no lie.

"Where were you?" he questioned.

"Nowhere. Home," I lied simply.

"Doing what?"

"Things." 

"What kind of things?" 

"Seriously?" My eyes widened annoyed. It was a back and forth thing with us while I was trying to edge away. He continued blocking my way while Kyle, the other guy and Ralph stood there looking entertained.

"I know you're lying." Jason smirked.

"I have to get to class."

"Class hasn't started yet," Kyle muffled, mouth full while eating a honey bun sloppily.

 I successfully stepped off, picking up the pace in a run. I felt something hard hit my shoulder, "I'm so sorry, are you okay?" a concerned voice asked. 

I said I was fine and then looked up. Shane was frowning while I rubbed my shoulder.

"That's the second time you hurt me," I told him.

Shane chuckled and said "Maybe you shouldn't run." I gave him a cold stare and started to laugh.

"Right." I rocked on my heels, tugging on my sleeves. I took a glimpse of his eyes, staring directly through it. I couldn't look away.

"So how have you been?" he asked.

"Ok. So far," I replied unblinking.

"How about you?"

"Good." He squeezed my shoulder, I tucked my head down to hide my blush.

"I was thinking after school we could-" the bell rung, interrupting the moment. Damn bell.

"We should get to class," Shane spoke.

"Yeah, we should." Shane smiled sweetly before walking off. I blew out air from my mouth. He made me nervous, that cold feeling I get in my gut when I'm around him. I finally headed to my first class. The door was opened, no one was inside. Not even the teacher. I sat down, pulled out the textbook, rereading the last chapter for a distraction. His smile popped into my head, I ruffed my hair, reading the same paragraph.

The rest of my classmates started to pile in, the History  teacher, Mr. Robertson, came behind last. Apologizing for his tardiness, he explained that his car almost broke down. Thankfully, he had jumper cables to bring it back to life. He told us to open our books to Chapter 4, writing on the board for the lesson today.

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As first period ended, the intercom rang. Principal Moretti letting us know homecoming was coming. This afternoon was a football game and the whole school was invited after lunch, classes were canceled for the rest of the day.

My classmates were abuzz, yelling out the praises, even some shouting, "the rivals suck! We got this!" before exiting the classroom. I needed to check out the school website for upcoming events. I had no idea Homecoming was soon.

"What's our school team name mascot?" I asked Mr. Robertson before wearing my backpack straps.

"We're the Pirates, fighting against the Hawks," the teacher answered. I haven't been to a football game in forever. He packed up his things as well, I followed behind. Strolling through the hallway, I heard trumpets and drums from a distance. I turned around, the full marching band was coming toward me.

I stood against the lockers as they passed through, playing their of We Will Rock You, the cheerleaders spelled out the team names in a catchy cheer and shaking their pompoms before going into their cartwheels. The uplifting spirit made my spirits a little better. I guess I could go and watch the game.

Two classes later, I sat alone for lunch, I didn't mind it much. I rather be by myself. I didn't see any sign of Kyle, Shane or Myra. After lunch, I walked behind the rest of the students to the field. Someone grabbed my hand and pulled my aside.

"Come sit next to me on the bleachers," Myra said in excitement. I let Myra drag me to the bleachers wondering again where Shane was. 
I hoped he was coming as well. We finally sat down, joining two girls and a guy on the bleachers.

"Jordan, this is Regina, Emma and Carl. They're seniors too." I waved at them. They waved back. Regina had frizzy brownish hair and green eyes, wearing a long blue jumpsuit, she stood up clapping for our team. Carl's hazel eyes focused on the game. His attitude gave a brush off vibe. Emma, raven haired and brown eyes, linked her arm to Carl. Her head was rested on his shoulder tenderly. I'm guessing they're together.

The game began, the Pirates scored a touchdown on the first down. I got into it, clapping as loud as I could feeling the excitement from the game. It was the second quarter, I still searched for Shane. I asked Myra where Shane was, she told me that he was with Kyle. I got kind of bummed, maybe he didn't like me as much. Friends. He's a friend. I heard hushed whispers next to me.

I peaked at Carl and Emma snickering, I looked back, trying to pay attention to the game.
I tried my best to ignore them. It worked, kind of. I heard my name mumbled from Carl as the kicker was about to punt. I turned and stared at them as they continued. Huddled real close, Emma told him to shush.

"You got something to say?" I asked them casually.

"Huh?" Emma asked, straightening her posture with wide eyes.

"I heard my name." What the hell did they have to talk about me for?

"Oh. We were just saying it's cool that you're here. New face and all." She smiled warmly. Carl laid his palm under his chin, going back to the game. puffed my cheeks, squeezing my fists.

It's a misunderstanding, I repeated mentally. I took my focus off it and shook off the paranoid feeling watching the rest of the game.