Chapter Seven:

I groaned and smacked my alarm clock. I forced my eyes to focus. Do I want to go to school today? Hells no. Should I? …Probably. Will I? Probably not. I’ve gone a whole few days without ditching. That’s gotta count for something, right? I’m crazy sore after yesterday’s craziness. On the other hand, I don’t want to be left alone with my own thoughts all day. School it is!

I sat up and raked my fingers through my hair. I sighed. Brian didn’t end up coming over last night. I’m probably a lot more disappointed than I should be. I know I’m weird, but I hate sleeping alone. I always have nightmares when I’m alone. Nothing else seems to fix it. I don’t know why or how else to stop it.

I was tempted to crash with Zacky, but I don’t think he came home, either. I slipped on a pair of boxers over my panties and fixed my shirt before heading downstairs. My heart perked up when I smelled coffee. God bless whoever had hot caffeinated goodness waiting for me.

“Coffee, come to mama.” I groaned as I grabbed a mug from the counter-top. I filled my mug before inhaling a long swallow.

“If all it takes it coffee to get on your good side, I’ll make it more often.” A deep voice said from behind me. I jumped and spun around, somehow managing not to spill my coffee all over myself. It’s Matt. I looked at him in surprise.

“I didn’t think you guys were here.” I told him, honestly.

“We were gaming in the basement and passed out down there.” He explained, pouring a cup for himself. I nodded and kept drinking my coffee.

“Gotcha,” I told him. Well… this is awkward. I can’t think of anything else to say. “I wonder what they have for breakfast.” I thought out loud.

“They always have food.” He offered. I nodded and peered in the bread box.

“Bagels. Score!” I grabbed one and put in the toaster.

“Did you just wake up?” He asked me. I nodded.

“Yeah, why?”

“You look good first thing in the morning.” He smirked. I rolled my eyes and lathered cream cheese on my hot, toasted bread. I put it on a plate and grabbed my plate.

“Dude, it’s too early to flirt.” I told him, ignoring how his flattery made a tiny bit giddy.

“It’s never too early to flirt with an attractive woman.” He countered.

“Lies.” I grumbled as I went upstairs with my breakfast. Well, that’s not how I expected my morning to go.

---

I decided that it probably wouldn’t be in my best interest to go to school in my pajamas, despite how tempting it sounded. I bathed and primped and looked quasi-decent for school. I threw on a pair of pale grey jeans, hot pink chucks, a black, short-sleeve peplum shirt, and a matching hot pink, leather jacket. I tamed my hair and did up my eyes a bit before throwing in the towel.

That’s the best I’m gonna get.

I grabbed my bag and trudged downstairs. I really, really don’t want to go to school. I hope today flies by, because I doubt I’ll be paying an ounce of attention. I have good grades, sure, but I don’t necessarily care about them. I keep good grades so I can fly under the radar. It’s just what I do – what I’ve always done. If you show up and do the work, teachers leave you alone and stay out of your business. That’s the way I like it.

“Morning sweetheart, did you get something to eat?” Doug asked me as I stepped downstairs. I looked up and nodded.

“I did, thanks. I think I might take an IV filled with coffee to go, though. Is that okay?” I asked him, refilling my mug. He chuckled.

“I’ll get right on that for tomorrow.” He promised.

“Awesome.” I cheered.

“Hey Ace, you ready to go?” Brian asked me, walking into the kitchen with Zacky and Matt. I nodded.

“How’s my favorite guy this morning?” I asked him, setting my cup into the sink and bouncing over to hug him.

“I’m better now.” He answered.

“Aren’t you two quite a picture?” Doug smiled. I fought my blush and relaxed into his embrace. Matt cleared his throat and Zacky looked amused.

“We should get to school.” Matt spoke up.

---

School was completely uneventful and I was regretting my decision not to skip, but it’s too late to leave now. I texted shamelessly throughout almost all of my classes. The only class I didn’t have my phone out during was economics. Mr. Matthews is too compelling to text through… and that’s saying something. I have one more class to get through and it’s the worst. I hate calculus. My phone vibrated and I pulled it out and put it in the middle of my calc book.

If I have to sit through another 20 minutes of English Lit, I’m going to punch myself.
-Brian

I giggled quietly. Looks like I’m not the only one suffering.

You’re telling me. You’re not the one suffering through calculus. I mean, shit. My brain is so beyond fried; I don’t even think I could find my way home.
-Lydia.

I kept my phone out and switched it to silent. I didn’t have to wait long before it went off again.

Well, that’s why you have me. I’ll get you there in one piece. ;P
-B

I laughed out loud at that one. The teacher shot a nasty look my way. I returned it. I can be a bitch, too. Wanna see?

That’s just because you’re awesome and clearly my savior. I’m pretty sure the teach is onto me. She’s trying to glare a hole through my face. :O
-L

I pocketed my phone and finished the homework that was assigned. I got out of my seat and walked it up to Ms. Gilmore. She shot me a suspicious look and held it.

“I finished the assignment.” I told her, slowly. I handed it to her, looking at her expectantly. She took it from my hands. I turned to walk away, but she stopped me.

“Why don’t you stay? I can grade it now.” She told me. I sighed. It’s not at all what I wanted to do, but sure. It’s not like she’s giving me much of a choice.

“Don’t you normally grade the assignments after they’re due?” I asked her. She gave me a wry smile.

“Traditionally, yes, but if you chose to bullshit your way through the assignment, there will be ample time for you to correct it.” She told me. I rolled my eyes.

“I’m turning it in now – I’m not going to correct anything. It’s not like I did it wrong, anyway.”

“Quite full of yourself, aren’t you?” She asked me, smirking. I saw her studying my work. She keeps going to mark things on my paper and stops herself.

“I’m confident in my ability. I’m not stupid, despite what you might think or how you choose to talk to me.” I told her. She let out a bark of sarcastic laughter. I let her finish her assessment. She looked up at me and set down her red marker.

“You did all of the work correctly.” She told me.

“I told you that I did.” I shrugged.

“I’m sure you cheated, somehow.” She shook her head.

“I didn’t, but you can think what you want.” I told her, crossing my arms.

“I’ve seen people like you come through my class before. I’m not going to hand you an A because you cheat and expect me not to notice. Just because you think you can get away with murder.”

“Are you still talking about me?” I asked her. She opened her mouth to keep talking. Clearly, her triad isn’t over.

“You think you can breeze by with your troublesome friends and do God knows what with them.” She shook her head at me. My jaw dropped.

“Should you really be teaching if you’re a judgmental bigot? This is ridiculous.” I told her. She scowled at me.

“I will not stand for that kind of language in my class.”

“Oh, please, like you’re one to talk. You can curse in front of your students and trash them but you can’t take the heat?” I asked her. “Send me to the principal if you’re so concerned. I’ll gladly transfer out of your class. No one wants to be treated like this, anyway.” I told her, taking a step closer to her desk.

“I won’t let some harlot speak to me that way!” She said in a shrill voice. I rolled my eyes.

“You’re just a cynical bitch that needs to get off of your high horse!” I told her, equally distressed. She looked furious. I turned away from her and stormed over to my seat, only to see the majority of the class recording what just went down. “Don’t worry, I can see myself out.” I told her as I made a break for the classroom door.

“Sit your ass down, young lady!” She yelled at me. I opened the door. “Sit the fuck down, you stupid, insolent girl!” She yelled. I whipped back around and fumed.

“Go fuck yourself! It’s clear that no one else is going to do it for you! I’m sure you don’t even remember what woman’s touch feels like. Quit raging on students because you’re insecure and you can’t come out of the fucking closet!” I screamed. She closed her mouth and didn’t say anything else. I guess I was right. My gay-dar is normally spot on. I have nothing against homosexuality or anything of that nature. Love is love. People are people. And everyone has the right to be happy. Just don’t take all of your insecurities out on me. I mean, damn!

“Lydia, wait up!” Matt called from behind me. I paused mid-stride. He grabbed my arm and held out his phone. “I got it all. You’ll probably need it at the principal’s office.” He told me, walking with me.

“Yeah, thanks.” I told him, still trying to calm down. I kept up my brisk pace.

“She’s been a bitch forever, but I doubt anyone has stood up to her before.” He revealed. I nodded.

“I’m so done with people walking all over me. I’m so fucking done. I shouldn’t have come to fucking school today. I knew I should have skipped. Why the fuck am I even taking calculus anyway? I don’t fucking need it. What a fucking hag – a goddamn, fucking hag.” I fumed. He looked over at me, amused. “I’m glad you find humor in my rage.” I told him. I pulled out my phone and explained things to Brian.

“Who are you texting? And I wouldn’t if you weren’t so cute when you get all fired up.” He smirked.

“Brian and don’t make me hit you.”

“I might like it.”

“No. You wouldn’t.” I clarified. We were at the principal’s office in no time. The principal was waiting with his door open by the time we got there. He looked pissed.

“Ms. Gilmore called to inform me about your situation in class. I’m very disappointed. She was on the verge of tears.” He scolded me.

“And what did she say happened?” I quipped. He recanted an abridged version of the story and I snorted. “That’s not what happened.”

“She said you would say that.”

“I have proof.” I told him.

“Oh?”

“I have a video of the confrontation, as does most of our class.” Matt told him, handing his phone over. The principal hit play and my peers sprang to life. They were doing some dumbass stunt in the back of the room before they noticed I was talking to Ms. Gilmore. Matt must have crept closer, because he got the entire conversation. It didn’t look good to the teacher.

“Oh, my dear,” was all the Mr. White could utter. “Have a seat, please. This is uncalled for.” He told us. “I understand that you’re not totally at fault here, but it is completely inappropriate to speak to your teacher in that manner. We need to have an emergency school board meeting.” He thought out loud.

“I’m not asking for her to get fired over this. Maybe sensitivity training? I want to be transferred out of her class. I’m not going back there. I’ll take an F. I don’t care.” I told him. He just nodded.

---

By the time we were finished giving our statements, as well as the rest of the class. I was completely exhausted.

“I’m calling in sick tomorrow. I don’t even care.” I told Matt as he walked with me to my locker.

“I’ll skip with you.”

“That’s completely unnecessary.” I argued.

“I want to.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to spend time with you.”

Notes

As promised, another update AND more Matt interactions. My fingers seem to have a mind of their own, because this is not all where I was planning on going before I started typing this chapter out. Thoughts? Comments? Yes? Please?
-Katie