It's Just the Way It Is

Part II: The Change Chapter 15: Run

I turned around, grabbed my backpack and my books, and made my way out the door. She didn't bother to wait for me to leave before she started with today's lesson, which I would never hear.

As I passed through the rows of students staring as me, someone grabbed me by the arm. Everyone was soon focused on the lesson to notice this gesture, which startled me. Gavin looked up at me with worried eyes, but then looked down at his hand. He dropped my arm and said, "What's going on?"

I shrugged as I whispered "I don't know" and continued my way out the classroom. I could still feel his cold touch on my arm and soon goosebumps were forming, sending me a tingling feeling into my stomach.

I made my way towards the south corridor which consisted of the front entrance, the cafeteria, and a lot of offices. My head was spinning with questions and unknown answers. I was scared to meet with Mrs. James. Ever since the window incident, I have been very careful to not get in trouble or to do crazy things. I did not want to get punished again and suffer by cleaning another classroom. That was bad enough.

Of course I always thought of the worst, but positive things were always the hardest things for me to hope for. I didn't believe in anything, so it was harder for me to hope for something good. It's always been a struggle for me ever since I was a kid. I used to wish upon a star, throw thousands of pennies in the fountain's, and blow on dozens of dandelions. But wishes just don't come true. I learned it the hard way, and since then I've believed in nothing. Not even love.

I'm not being cliché here.

When I walked into the high school office, the secretary lady told me to take a seat right outside Mrs. James office and wait for her to let me in. So I did what she said and sat. After a long while I found myself sitting at the edge of the seat shaking my right leg nervously. This always happens when I'm nervous. Not only that but I tried crossing my legs, but then that felt uncomfortable so I crossed my other leg, but after a while I didn't feel satisfied. What felt like forever, in reality was ten minutes until she called me inside.

"Come in, Ms. Navarro." She commanded. When she called me, a spark of anger rose in the pit of my stomach.

I came in and took a seat at the leather chair across from her desk. I sat, noticing how comfortable that chair was than the one outside her office. "Just Vanessa is fine," I reassured her. I hated it when people referred to me with my last name. I don't like my last name. I cannot expression this enough.

She gave me an uncertain look, but brushed it off as she began our conversation. "Ms. Vanessa," she started off. I actually was really self satisfied with that. "I would not have called you in here if it wasn't for an urgent matter."

The word urgent seemed to stick out the most in my brain, and immediately I freaked out. I was already thinking about the worst that could happen.

She must have noticed my quick change of expression because she then added. "Your father called me a few minutes ago." She paused as if she was trying to see my reaction only it didn't change. "He said that your cousin was on their way to the school grounds to pick you up to take you home. Now usually I never allow these kind of things to happen, but since you've never gone home since you've gotten here, I've allowed you to go."

I didn't hear anything after she mentioned my father.

Dad.

My father called the school to tell them that I'm going home? Why would my dad do that? This didn't sound normal. Something was up, but I had no clue what it was.

I blinked in total disbelief at what I had just heard. "I'm sorry, did you say my father?"

Mrs. James nodded. "Yes, is there a problem?"