Throwing on my uniform plaid skirt, I made sure everything was fitting around my slim-thick torso.

I threw my braids into a low ponytail and threw on my white socks and black boots.

After I was done I headed downstairs to join everyone else for breakfast. To my surprise, Regan had prepared a delicious spread of toast, sausage, eggs, and an assortment of fruit.

"Good morning Celine!" Regan exclaimed

"Good morning."

"Made breakfast." she chuckled

"I know, it smells delicious- thank you."

As I sat at the table enjoying my breakfast, Rina and Rick came downstairs in their uniforms looking sleepy and tired.

"Good morning my children," Regan exclaimed

"Good morning mom, Good morning Celine." Rina sat down next to me yawning.

"Morning," Rick said dryly

"I know you don't like eggs Rick so I made you some bacon." Regan says

"Rina, you got you're journal, you're pencils, you're color pencils, you're phone charger-

"Mom, yes." Rina chuckles

"Good." Regan sighs in relief.

"I'll pick you guys up at 3:20 pm the usual time alright? And - I was hoping for all of us to go get some ice cream after school."

"Ice cream sounds nice." I said taking a bite of my toast.

"Sounds good." Regan replied

"Shit, we should be out the door now." Regan checked her watch.

"Mom!" Rina says rushing to shove a piece of toast in her mouth.

"Hey! I'm sorry!" Regan grab her car keys.

-----------------

While sitting in the car, we was all waiting for Rick. We were already late and now we're more late because of him.

"Where is he!" Rina says

Regan, looking slightly frustrated, gets out of the car and walks around to meet Rick. He emerges from the house with his head down, absorbed in something on his phone.

Is he serious!?

Rick gets in the passenger seat and quietly lays his head down against the window. "Excuse me! We're late because of you idiot." Rina randomly says

"Hey, why don't you shut up for me." His tone harsh.

"Stop." Regan says finally turning the car engine on and pulling off.

-----------------

As I walked down the hallway, the hallway was filled with the buzz of students and conversations. I noticed Rick standing near his locker, talking and laughing with his male friends in between classes. It was a side of Rick I had never seen before, looking relaxed and at ease, which was quite different from his usual stoic and standoffish demeanor.

"Hey, will you be good on your own?" Rina questions

No.

"Yes." I said holding up my schedules smiling.

"Okay good." She smiled back running away.

As Rina ran off giggling to join her friends, her brunette hair bouncing off her shoulders, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy, watching her. I never really fit in, and seeing her socializing so effortlessly made it difficult not to feel inadequate.

Tugging onto my book bag strap making my way down the hallway to try to follow my classes, The bell rings. 

My heart pounding in my chest as I walked through the crowded hallway, my social anxiety threatening to overwhelm me, I  could feel the eyes of other students on me, and the mere thought of being in such close proximity to them triggered a wave of panic.

Despite the overwhelming wave of dread that washed over me, I managed to make it to my class, my fingers digging into the palms of my hand to keep myself grounded. I  hoped that as the day went on, my anxiety would subside.

"A new face? Hm And who are you?" A unfamiliar male voice spoken.

Turning around to see a bearded man with brunette hair and glasses on the bridge of his nose.

Teacher, got it.

"I'm Celine Kinsley." I said

"The class didn't hear you, Ma'am."

The class?

As I stand at the front of the classroom, feeling self-conscious as the teacher asks me to introduce myself to the class. My eyes scan the room, taking in the full class and the amount of students watching me with varied expressions. Some look indifferent, some look interested, and others look bored. She takes a deep breath and begins to speak, her voice shaking slightly as she tries to control her social anxiety.

And then i notice Rick sitting in the back row of the class, his arms crossed and a bored expression on his face.

Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic, don't panic.

"Hello? Ms. Kinsley?" The male teacher called

"Oh uh yes?" I turned back to him.

"Your name? and to the class please."

Right..

"My name is Celine Kinsley." I said out loud in front of the class.

The silence of the room was overwhelming as I was introducing myself to the class. Each cricket felt like it was screeching in my fucking ear.

I could feel my palms getting sweaty as I struggled to find the right words to say.

But then finally the teacher took the attention, "Kinsley, I am Mr. Williams, feel free to sit anywhere." he says making his way to the board.

As I awkwardly stood at the front of the classroom, I looked for a seat to take. No one offered up any space, leaving me feeling even more self-conscious. I noticed an empty seat next to Rick, but knew he wouldn't want me to sit there.

Rick looks territorial, his body language making it clear that he doesn't want me to sit near him. But then, surprisingly, he opens the chair beside him inviting me to sit. Taken aback by his unexpected gesture, I tentatively move towards the empty seat, not sure how to respond. As I take my place beside him, I can feel his gaze fixed on me, with an air of displeasure and annoyance. I decide to remain quiet and focus on the teacher, hoping that the tension between us will dissipate.

✵✵✵

Mr. Brown, the teacher, was droning on and on, his voice a dull monotone. I couldn't help but feel my attention wandering as he went over the different lesson plans for the semester. My fingers fiddled with my pencil, tapping it absentmindedly on the desk as I fought to stay awake.

"Yes Rick?" The teacher said

And Suddenly, my focus shifted completely to Rick as the teacher called out his name.

"Could I go to the Restroom?" he asked

"I don't know, can you?"

"Oh my fucking Go-
Rick said under his breath

Oh, looks who's whispering now.

"Last week you went to the bathroom Rick you never came back,"

Rick sighs leaning into his seat clearly irritated now.

"But you know what? Go ahead,"
"You got five minutes."  He finishes.