Introvert

10

I head into class and sit down.
Kori didn't respond me. She always does.
Maybe she got her phone taken away for fighting.
I wonder how long she's going to be gone.
Neil,"Hi."
Averi,"This is all your fault."
Neil,"I know. I just wanted to apologize. For Kennidi's behavior. And mine. I know she's crazy and now you have no one to talk to. This is all my fault and I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. And after that, I didn't know she'd take things that far."
Averi,"Nice apology but I'd rather hear it from Kennidi and her saying it to my friends."
Neil,"I know. If it makes your feel better, her face is in stitches. I had to go see her yesterday. She didn't break up with me."
Averi,"Okay."
Neil,"Yea, well. I guess I'll see you around. I hope your friends don't get in serious trouble."
Averi,"yea."
Neil leaves and someone stands over my shoulder.
Mr. Suttel,"Averi."
Averi,"Mr. Suttel."
Mr. Suttel,"Kori and Farran are suspended. I found out on my roster. Will you be okay?"
Averi,"Yes. Less talking."
Mr. Suttel,"You're smiling a little bit."
Averi,"Yup. Now if you'll excuse me there's something I'd like to read."
Mr. Suttel,"I'll leave you to it."
...
I sit in class listening to the teacher talk.
Man this is boring. I could be talking to Kori right now.
Oh crap it's happening again.
...
I walk to sit at the table for lunch.
It's empty here.
Man I feel like everyone is staring again.
Cameron,"Hi Averi."
Averi,"Hi."
Cameron,"How are you? Feel bored in class?"
Averi,"A little."
Cameron,"Yea. Do you have anymore friends here?"
Averi,"No. My friend circle is pretty small."
Cameron,"Yea."
Averi,"Why'd you stop me from getting in the fight?"
Cameron,"You didn't need to get in that mess. Plus I can't have you getting hurt on my watch. Kori would probably kill me."
Averi,"On your watch? Are you saying that I need someone to watch me. That I can't be left alone?"
Cameron,"No. It's just that Kori doesn't want you to be alone."
Averi,"I'm fine being alone. I don't need to be surrounded by people all the time. I would've been fine if I got into that fight with them. I can take care of myself."
I get up from the table.
Cameron,"Wait Averi. That's not what-"
Averi,"Leave me alone."
I go into the girls bathroom and pull out my phone.
My phone rings.
"HI!!"
Averi,"Hey."
"What's wrong?"
Averi,"Nothing."
"Do I need to come there and beat someone up?"
Averi,"No Paityn."
Paityn,"Oh good. So tell me what's been going on best friend."
...
I sit in class waiting for the bell to ring.
Sadly there's a substitute.
Cameron,"Averi."
Averi,"I said leave me alone."
Cameron,"I'm not."
Cameron,"I'm going to sit here and stare at you."
I take out my phone and text Paityn.
Cameron,"Who's Paityn?"
Averi,"Can you not look at my phone?"
Cameron,"Sorry."
I reply to her.
Cameron,"So who is she?"
Averi,"None of your business."
I text her and reply.
Cameron just sits and watches me for the rest of the hour.
...
Malachi,"Did you hear from your friends?"
Averi,"They're suspended."
Malachi,"For how long?"
Averi,"I don't know."
Malachi,"Well I can find out if you want."
Averi,"I'm good."
Malachi,"Did something happen?"
Averi,"No."
*Pound Pound*
Malachi,"I'll get it."
Malachi,"Kori?"
Kori,"Is Averi home?"
Malachi,"Yes. Come in."
I turn around to see Kori walk my way.
Kori,"Hi Averi."
Averi,"Hi."
Kori,"What's wrong?"
Averi,"Nothing. You just feel that I shouldn't get into fights or be left alone. That I can't take care of myself. That I need someone to watch me."
Malachi,"And that's my cue to leave."
Kori,"Where'd you get that idea?"
Averi,"Cameron told me. That you made him do it."
Kori,"The? I just don't want you alone Averi."
Averi,"I'm fine alone. I was alone before you came. I don't need you. I don't need a lot of friends. You keep bringing people into my life that I don't care to get to know. I'm fine being alone!"
Kori,"You don't ever get lonely?"
Averi,"I don't."
Kori,"I just don't want you to feel alone okay. I want you to be able to have people you can count on. That are there for you."
Averi,"Family is for that."
Kori,"That'll get in fights for you at school. To defend your honor."
Averi,"...."
Kori,"I'm sorry. I know you're fine on your own. I don't know why I had him do that."
Averi,"Did you plan the dance thing?"
Kori,"No, that was him acting on his own. I didn't like him doing that."
Averi,"Hm."
Kori,"I'm sorry."
Averi,"Okay."
Kori,"Farran and I are suspended for the rest of the week."
Averi,"That's three more days."
Kori,"Yea. Are you- Never mind."
Averi,"I'm fine. Is this all you came for?"
Kori,"Yes."
Averi,"Okay."
Kori,"Okay."
I stand there waiting for her to leave.
Averi,"Why didn't you respond my text?"
Kori,"My dad took away my phone for fighting."
Averi,"Are you going to be sued?"
Kori,"No surprisingly. Someone said something that made it appear to the parents that she was bullying me."
Averi,"Oh."
Kori,"Yea."
I look at the time on my phone.
Averi,"Do you want a snack or something?"
Kori,"Yea. Do you have a granola bar? I have a taste for that."
Averi,"There should be one in the cabinet. Follow me."

Averi,"Did you hear from Farran?"
Kori,"Yea. She's not getting sued either. But her parents took away her phone too. We should have it back by Friday. I'm actually grounded but my dad won't be home until late so I snuck over here really quick."
Averi,"You better get home in case he gets back early."
Kori,"I didn't think of that! I need to go. Bye Averi. Maybe I'll see you this weekend."
Averi,"See you."
Kori runs out the house.
Malachi,"So did you two make up?"
Malachi locks the bolt lock of the door.
Averi,"Yea."
Malachi,"That's good. Hey, testing is coming up. You get two days off."
Averi,"Oh yea."
Malachi,"You think you'll be able to see Paityn?"
Averi,"I don't know."