Free The Gateway Through Which They Came by Heather Marie

hall. I’m trembling so bad, it would be ridiculous for me to stay in these clothes. Evan and Trevor’s expressions are forever trapped in my mind. I wonder if I turn around right now, if they would still be there. Maybe I could apologize again. A real one this time. I could fix this. I
need
to fix this.
    A screech from the last bell pierces my ears, leaving me standing in an empty hall, facing the door of trigonometry. It’s too late to turn back now. I can hear Mrs. Kingsley bringing the class to attention, beginning the Morning Prayer. It’s looked down upon to miss it, but more so to barge in late and interrupt. As much as it kills me to stay in place doing nothing—nothing to fix what I’d done—I stand there and wait.
    After the class says together:
amen
, I turn the knob and enter.
    It must be written on my face, because the look Mrs. Kingsley gives me is more out of worry than frustration. I don’t know how I look to her, but I know I feel like utter shit. How will I make this up to Evan after lashing out on him like that?
    I open my mouth to apologize, but she dismisses me before I have a chance.
    “Have a seat, Aiden.” Mrs. Kingsley gestures toward my desk, and I’m thankful.
    With a gentle nod, I keep my head down and pass the front of the class toward the back corner. She continues introducing her lecture as I slide into my seat, my cold clothes pressing uncomfortably against my skin. Looks like I’ll have to wear my gym clothes the rest of the day.
    I can still feel eyes on me as I reach into my backpack and remove my folder, trying to avoid their stares. A shiver prickles my neck, but I ignore it. It’s only my skin reacting to the drastic temperature and it doesn’t help that the vent above me is blasting cold air in my direction. Hasn’t this school ever heard of heat?
    I rub my palms together, hoping the friction will bring me some sense of relief.
    “You look like hell,” a voice says beside me.
    My ears perk at the sound.
    I can’t do this. Not now. Not here.
    I force myself in place, keeping my head in the direction of Mrs. Kingsley. If I give myself away, I’ll be called a freak all over again. This was a constant test, being confronted by a Bleeder in class in front of so many people. Even though the urge to acknowledge her is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt.
    My fingers claw into my legs, digging deep in hopes that the pain will wake me from this nightmare. I have to be asleep somewhere, because the voice behind me can’t be real. It can’t be that easy.
    “Did you miss me?” she whispers. I can almost feel her cold breath against my neck, tingling the hair along my nape.
    More than you know
, I want to tell her.
    Just the thought of her words carries so much emotion.
Did you miss me,
she used to say, throwing her arms around my waist from behind. She did this every morning during middle school. Blessing me with the warmth of her skin. The touch of her body against mine making my heart do funny things in my chest. It’s as if the night before was too long without each other, and she felt the same emptiness I did when she was away. Those days, I used to wish her arms would make a permanent home there, wrapped tightly around me. Her embrace was everything I needed and wanted in one.
    Mrs. Kingsley jots an equation on the board, pointing to
x
and then to
y
. Her words are nothing but dead air, as if someone has placed her and the entire class on mute. I can’t hear anything but the voice directly beside me.
    “Aiden,” she says, begging for my attention.
    I should tell her to meet me, to wait outside until class is over. But I worry that if I turn her away now, I’ll never be able to see her again. This could be my only chance.
    I turn to her, but I barely get a chance to look before the room comes to a halt.
    “Koren Banks,” Mrs. Kingsley snaps. “I realize you are anxious to talk to Mr. Ortiz, being back to school and all, but I must ask you to wait until my lesson