(3 years ago)
I spend the entire day receiving questionable glances from everyone at school. Even Mr James, who hates my gut for some reason, gave me a tight 'I feel sorry for you' smile as I dropped off my assignment on his desk.
"There's clearly something I should know," I say to myself.
I try calling Noah for the hundredth time as I round the last corner home, but he still isn't picking or responding to my texts. He wasn't even in school today!
"Ugh, this is why I hate dealing with people." I groan, unapologetically kicking a stone into someone's gate.
"If he plays with me… " I begin, but my bad girl end line doesn't make it past my tight throat. A tear makes its way down my cheek instead, and then another, as I continue the journey home.
Deep down I knew. Before I saw the news. Before I saw the photos. I knew!
(Present)
"I can't believe I'm doing this." I say for the sixth time to a Mr Mike who's clearly lacking in any form of emotional intelligence or social skills.
The guy's been quiet ever since he picked me up from Nana's place. Even quieter all through the ride to his office.
I can't help but roll my eyes at the thought of him.
*Ding*
The elevator door closes and we begin the ascend to Floor 7
2, 3, 4, 5, 6…
"I can't do this!" I scream backing into the elevator wall to steady my shaking self. "I can't!"
A flash of our last conversation plays before my eyes. His last words an anthem in my head. "I was just joking around… having fun."
*Ding*
"Ma'am, please pull yourself together. This is an office not a psychiatric hospital."
The dude doesn't even bother looking at me while he says all that shat.
The actual hell!
With this newfound anger — thanks Mr Mike, I not-so-gently nudge him out of my way and channel all those years of public training lessons Nana forced me to take in every step.
"Shoulders back, head held high, confident steps… just like that."
"To your left Ma'am. " I hear from behind me.
After a few seconds of walking through the black and white themed layout I hear, "The black door".
I turn around to say some sarcastic goodbye only to see Mr Mike already walking away. In panic I rush to him, grabbing onto his hands for dear life. "Aren't you coming with me?"
He stops and for a second I see him finally lose his cool, his face begins to soften, but then quickly hardens again.
He's no longer looking at me either, but at something behind me.
I turn around and find myself face to face with him, who's also not looking at me but behind me with a certain rage in his eyes.
A bone ticks in his jaw as I gently pat Mr Mike's bicep before letting go. Silently wishing him luck cause he'll clearly need it — the guy's as rigid as a stone.
Noah steps away from the doorway,
"Go in." He commands eye still on Mr Mike.
The actual hell is all I can think as I make my way into his office.