Splinters: Part One

Part One | 7

"Really? Ursanne would take up that offer in a second."

"Well, I'm not Ursanne."

I didn't mean to be as harsh as I was, but it was true. Driving was something I was a bit scared to do. Thankfully, there was no past story to say why I'm scared, I just am. Besides, in New York, having a car was pointless. It was the subway, bus, or walk.

Melissa didn't carry on the conversation.

I should've apologized, but I didn't. I couldn't bring myself to say the words. I didn't trust my voice. I knew Melissa was curious as to what was said when I was alone with Dr. Hamelon, but there was no way I was going to tell her.

Perhaps I was being mean because I spoke about my mom today. I was feeling things I hadn't felt in years - anger, hurt, regret. Thinking about my mom was something I did rarely. I didn't let my mind steer towards her and if it did, I'd push the thoughts out right away.

Like Dr. Hamelon said, I'd do it when I'm ready.

...

When I just arrived at school, a hand clasped onto my shoulder.

"So, are you taking up my offer and coming with me after school tomorrow?"

I looked over at Andrew and stood for a moment. Finally, I nodded. "Uh, yeah, sure."

"Atta boy! Listen, it'll be fun, trust me."

Ironically, him telling me to trust him made me not trust him. There was something about his words that I didn't find convincing. 

"My parents think I'm going over to your house."

"And my folks know that too. You'll come over for a bit and then when the party's about to start, we'll sneak out and head over to Z's."

"Don't your parents ever check on you?"

Andrew waved me off. "Nah. They don't care."

"Okay, but um, what made you all of sudden want me to go?"

Andrew scratched the back of his neck. He seemed to find it difficult to answer my question.

"Well, you know, you looked like you need a crowd."

I could tell he wasn't speaking the truth, but I didn't push it. Instead, I said okay and then left it at that. Andrew tried to tell me what Zech's parties were like but I didn't listen to much of it. I was a little terrified at the idea that I had deliberately lied to Ursanne, Melissa, Greg, and everyone else who heard about my day with Andrew that would be tomorrow.

I was terrified at the idea of having to go to a party where I'd know nobody. I guess I had to come out of my shell at some point though. The thing was was that I wasn't sure if I was ready. I wasn't ready when I was adopted and I most certainly wasn't ready when I began attending this school.

A party was the last thing I was ready for.

...

So you're going to Zech's party after all?

I glanced at Collie who was looking ahead at Mrs. Beck, although I knew she was paying more attention to my response. I unhooked the pen from the spiral of the notebook and wrote as best as I could.

How did you hear about that?

I gave the notebook back and waited for her reply.

Word gets around.

I stared at her, confused. She leant toward me and whispered, "I'm friends with Andrew."

"Collie. Do I need to change your seat?"