Thirteen Summers

twenty-six

I nodded and watched as he slid the glossy piece of paper towards him.

The school had made schedules available to students for pick up or to be delivered, a week in advance.

This worked out perfectly for Roman, who had all four of our schedules laminated before we'd even seen or touched them.

This was a usual occurrence I'd been told, this way it was hard for it to get lost or ruined — I was also told there'd been some incidents in the past.

"Okay, we have a few classes together, that's cool." He mumbles, more to himself.

"So..we have World History first and Biology but that's not till the end of the day."

"Oh okay." I felt my heart beating quicker, we only had two classes together today.

It was weird, I was used to spending all day in the same classroom with him.

I was being childish, I know that but the thought of being alone in a class full of random people made me feel sick.

Caleb compared our schedules during breakfast but I was anxious and in my head the entire time.

I'd forgotten which ones we shared together if we shared any at all for today.

Soon enough, the bell rang and everyone was getting ready to go, I was slow to it and rushed to stand up, that action made me feel slightly dizzy.

Thankfully, no one noticed.

I felt better in my first class of the day. I wasn't alone and our teacher was friendly.

Aiden had some friends in our class, a couple of boys.

They didn't talk much with me after exchanging names but I didn't mind, I enjoyed history.

I was content with just learning and doing the activities that were set for us although, Aiden did try to include me but left it alone once he realised I was happy focusing on my work.

My second class was a different story though, I was completely alone.

It didn't help that it was completely uninteresting, the teacher as dull as dishwater.

I felt my mind wandering back to yesterday, back to Ella.

She was gone, she was really gone and she didn't actually want to take me with her.

I sniffled and blinked back tears but they still fell, I wiped them away.

The boy, who sat next to me, was looking at me weirdly, with narrowed eyes.

"I have allergies." I shrugged, trying to play it off.

"Oh, I get it." He actually believed me, nodding. "My dad has a cat, I'm allergic. It stays in the other wing when I stay at his place but I think there's like cat hair everywhere, 'cause I still sneeze."

Who knew three simple words could set off a conversation about cat hair and his dad?

I sure didn't otherwise, I wouldn't have said anything at all because now he was rambling.

"Just sometimes, I feel like he loves that cat more than anything, more than me...you know?"

I nodded, I didn't actually but if it made him feel better than I'd go along with it.

I don't know how we got here but it took my mind off the other things so in a way, I was grateful.

"Wait, the housekeeper is always there, so it's always clean..maybe it's the essence of the cat?"