Oooh boy. . .
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Lunch time came all too quickly.
While the other kids hurried outside, Rejoicing in their new limited freedom, I kept my head down, Remaining with a few other un-popular kids in the classroom.
After the popular kids and their friends left the classroom, The un-popular kids got up to leave as well.
I went to follow as well when Daniel moved to block my path.
''Aspen! I'm afraid you have to stay behind in class today'' Daniel said far too cheerfully, His gloved hand moving to rest on my shoulder as I lowered my head slightly.
I swallowed nervously, My hands moving to nervously clutch at my shirt.
''W-Why?'' I asked timidly, My voice quiet even to my own ears.
''Well, Seeing as you skipped class yesterday, You have some homework to catch up on'' Daniel explained, Still way too cheerful for this situation.
I let out a tired sigh, Taking a step away from Daniel as I did so.
Of course. . .Why would I assume anything different would happen. . .
I kept my head down as I moved back to my seat, A cold numbness building up in my chest.
''Don't worry! You can join your friends once you catch up with what you missed!'' Daniel said cheerfully as he placed some worksheets down on my desk.
I blinked slowly, The apathetic feeling that had been growing since this morning seemed to twist painfully at my heart.
Just gotta get through the day. . .Then I can try and figure out my weird feelings. . .
--- Time skip ---
''Alright! Looks like you did pretty gosh darn well!'' Daniel said cheerfully, Having finished grading my papers.
I let out a small sigh of relief, I didn't think I'd be able to hold up if anyone yelled at me.
I felt oddly fragile, Drained and above all else, Tired.
''Good job Aspen!'' Daniel said cheerfully as took a gold star sticker off of a roll of them he had on his desk.
I flinched back on instinct as he reached up for my face.
He seemed to not notice the flinch seeing as he proceeded to lightly stick the sticker to my forehead.
I blinked in confusion as he smiled down at me, Happy still.
''Well now! You can go join your friends, Have fun!'' Daniel said cheerfully, Gently shooing me towards the door as he spoke.
Just as soon as I took a step out of the classroom, I very nearly ran face first into Channing.
He gave me a cold, Hateful glare before Daniel poked his head out of the room.
''Channing! Come on in!'' He said happily, Even more joy filling his voice then any other time I've heard.
I kept my head low with dejection as Channing walked past me.
Why do I feel so tired. . .So numb?
I shook my head slightly before hurrying to the nearest exit.
I needed fresh air. . .I needed to get away from everyone for a while. . .
Making it outside, I stayed within the school playground's limits however, I remained as far out of the way as I could.
I don't need to be notice-
''Hey look, It's Aspen'' One of the kids said to another.
I lowered my head, My eyes on the ground as I braced myself for their mocking.
''Hey, We saw what you did to yourself'' Another kid said, Their voice unknown to me.
''Yeah, Why'd ya do that?'' The first kid asked.
I wanted to just melt away into the ground, I could feel their eyes on me by now and I really didn't like that.
''You know we were only joking with those notes'' A voice said from somewhere off to my left.
A joke? Wanting me to die was a joke?. . .Is that really all I am? Just. . .A joke. . .
''Yeah! Can't you take a joke?'' Another voice asked.
I could hear a few kids muttering to each other under their breaths, The words they were saying were too quiet to hear.
''You know knives aren't allowed in school anymore right? Not even the plastic ones!'' Yet another kid said.
''Yeah, Why'd ya have to take everything so seriously?'' The second kid asked.
I felt the cold numbness spreading across my heart as a few kids started to laugh.
I can't. . .I just can't. . .
I could feel heat prickling behind my eyes as I turned on my heel, Rushing back into the school.
I could hear a few kids shouting something, But it sounded all grumbly.
My field of vision shrunk until all I could see was a small little blurry space in front of me, The only sound I heard was my heart beat pounding in my ears.
Gotta get out. . .
Gotta get out. . .
Gotta get-
My thoughts were derailed suddenly as I collided with someone.
''Aspen? Aspen you alright?'' Toby asked, His hands moving to grip me by my shoulders as I stared straight forwards.
The tears I had felt bubbling up in my eyes started to spill over as my shoulders started to shake slightly.
''Shoot. . .'' I heard Toby mutter under his breath before he dragged me into an empty classroom hurriedly.
I was roughly sat down at one of the desks before Toby gently grabbed my face, Tilting my head back so I was forced to look up at him.
''What happened? Why are you crying?'' Toby asked, Concern showing in his voice.
I reached a hand up to roughly scrub at my eyes, The cold empty feeling twisting inside me.
''I-'' I started to say before another kid burst into the classroom.
''Tob- Oh hey, You're actually here'' The kid muttered.
I turned my gaze back to the ground as Toby turned to face the other kid.
''What is it Anthony?'' Toby asked as I started to sink slightly into the numbness.
''One of the teachers needs your help, Like right now'' Anthony said simply.
''I uh. . .'' Toby muttered, Glancing down at me then back to Anthony.
I could see the internal struggle I was putting him through and it just drove the spike of emotions further into my heart.
I'm even being a burden to him too. . .
''I-I'm fine, Go. . .Y-You promised the teachers you'd help them'' I whispered quietly to the other boy.
He gave me a sad smile, It was clear he didn't believe I was fine, But as it is, He couldn't do anything about my problems.
No one can fix my problems. . .
Maybe it's because I am one. . .
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Alright, A late chapter, Any guesses what Aspen's gonna do?
Anyways! Like always, Have a good day/night and find a better book! - fallen