The Improbable Clause of Missing You

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

05: Look alive, sunshine. 

Monday morning rolled by and I was a vision of hell. The weekend had seen me attempting to pick up the guitar again, baking, and also clearing up my room. Okay, so I moped and watched chick flicks too, but hey, I tried to do something. Although I'd found some kind of peace with Owen, I still felt undeniably like shit.

With that, I forced myself out of bed. Really, I truly overestimated myself. I was even worse than hell. I looked like something out of Purgatory. Yea, a beast. Sighing, I pushed my hair back and lazily ran my fingers through it. Tried to, anyway. My hair was a knotted mess. Giving up, I reached for my uniform. I hated having one, but it was kind of, dare I say, cute. Ugly, but adorable. I rolled the skirt up my waist and pulled the polo shirt on. Unbuttoned the first button. Tugged the skirt a bit lower over my thighs. There. Mildly presentable.

I enjoyed my school, really. The people were friendly. The atmosphere was always cheerful. That isn't to say that we weren't ever stressed. In fact, we were very stressed during the exams, especially since it was our second last year. We supported one another, though, with endless notes and encouragement.

Throughout the remaining of the weekend, I'd only spoken to my Mum and Dad. Mum had been quite upset by the yelling outside the house and had talked to me about it.

Dad had just ducked into his room, only venturing out to make stress foods for me.

As they dropped me off that morning, Mum turned to me and said, "You'll do great today, honey."

"Thanks, Mum." I'd said, as I slammed the car door shut behind me.

I didn't really get why she'd said it until I heard the whispers.

Ah yes, today was going to be a long day.

The first instance was when I was putting my things in my locker. The halls were kind of empty. Most people were already in class. Early. I wasn't late, promise.

"Did you see Owen and Cordelia on Friday?"

"Yea, I wonder if she knows. Knocked out the host herself. Outing two guys in one night? Incredible." I could feel two pairs of eyes on me. I slammed my locker shut, head held high.

"I'm not surprised he cheated, though. Cordelia is really pretty. And there's so much pressure just being with her because she's, y'know, Hayley Sanders. She's so perfect I'm surprised nothing ever goes wrong for her. Well, except this, of course."

I turned to the two casually and made eye contact, faking innocence and oblivious bliss.

"Good morning, guys!" I greeted cheerily.

"H–Hi!" They stuttered back, clearly surprised to see me so happy.

I was almost to my History classroom when I felt heavy footsteps rushing toward me. Yes, felt. Instinctively, I side-stepped the stampede and looked up. Oh, of course.

"Hi Quinn, hi Frankie."

"Hi Hayley!" Quinn smiled brightly. She was another of my best friends, although she'd been stuck at a babysitting gig during the party.

"How're you doing?" Frankie asked sceptically.

"Good enough, actually. I think I handled it pretty well. Currently, though, I'm still not too thrilled to be around him for a while, but we're otherwise okay."

"Good to know things are resolved between you guys. You still haven't told me what happened at the shops, though."

"Oh, right, well..."