Fatal Flaws

"Excuse me, ladies and Gentlemen listen up. I need your attention for a few moments before you leave. I have an announcement to make" Mrs. Robert's stern voice cuts through the students' chatter. She waits patiently until the last whispered voices die down before continuing.

"Since today is Friday and Thanksgiving break starts Monday I'll make you a deal. You guys will have plenty of time to get your assignments done and turned in. Especially those of you who choose what work you turn in. This is your one free pass. Also, next week's journal topic will focus on what you're thankful for. Each day, you'll write at least one to two sentences on different topics that make you grateful. I would like you to include ways that showing thanks can affect your ability to help the community. Your entries are due Sunday night, no later than 11:59 p.m. I will not accept them one minute late. I don't think this is too much to ask for. Now, thank you for your patience. Have a safe and fun holiday. Class dismissed." She finishes her speech by handing us each a flyer for the local food drive nearby.

"Use your time wisely over break," she hollers through the noise of people rushing around. Sounds of chairs scraping the ground, papers rustling, and laughter add to the chaos. I'm in no rush. It's not like I'm going home for the holidays or even have anyone to spend it with.

Sitting back in my chair, I watch the other students goofing off. They're giggling and carrying on while gathering their belongings. Once the last few students trickle out, it's silent. The once loud and crowded room is now quiet and vacant. Random flyers for the food pantry littering the desks and floors are the only signs of life left. I doubt anyone bothered to read them. Let alone care what it said. Before leaving, I decide to do a good deed. Bending down, I gather the loose papers from the floor. Stacking them up, I place them neatly on the teacher's desk before returning to mine. The flyer clutched in my fist.

What am I thankful for? Hmmm, that's a tough one. Especially considering everything that's happened since I came here. I continue racking my brain for suggestions while gathering my books and shoving them into my bag. I should leave before Mrs. Robertson comes and questions why I'm still here. Hayden was right. I'm pathetic. I laugh to myself, glancing around the deserted classroom one last time. All the students had been so eager to leave, almost causing a stampede to get away and begin their break. Then there's me.

The fall air is getting cooler. You can sense winter growing closer. It's a lot chillier today than before. I have to pull my white knitted cap down over my ears as I walk out of the building into the courtyard.

It's been almost a week since Sky left and I miss her like crazy. Despite spending most of her nights at Hope's, she still came home every night. Whether to change her clothes, grab new ones, shower, or catch up with me, I still saw her. We had talked every day, but not now. This time is different. I haven't seen her since that night. Yeah, she's texted me here and there. But not about anything important. It's mainly been random texts, like if she left her red dress behind and a few other small things. I wish I could talk to her, to pour my heart out. I need someone to listen to me. This depression is consuming me and I don't know what to do.

My stomach lets out a loud growl overshadowing the pity party I'd been having for myself. I haven't had an appetite lately. Nothing sounds good or I'm too depressed to leave my room and get something. Another grumble escapes. I guess my stomach isn't giving up this time. Anything is better than going to an empty dorm room with only myself to keep me company. I pull the large fluffy sweater tighter around me, walking toward the nearby shops. The harsh, chilly wind howls around me, whipping across my face. The only thing I can do to help is bury my face in the front of my shirt. It eases the discomfort a little while I continue making my way forward. No wonder no one is out. They're smarter than me, glancing around at the almost empty roads. Normally, people are everywhere. Not today.