in homeroom. The issue was it took approximately twenty-five minutes just to get to school from here. We met at the parking lot almost simultaneously.
He opened the main doors and led me to his black Mercedes sports car, “Wow,” I complimented.
“Mom won it in the divorce settlement,” he explained. “It doesn’t replace my dad, or make him leaving okay.”
“I’m sure it doesn’t,” I empathized. “He cheated on her?”
“More than once, he blamed mom on neglecting him because of the skating. Nothing was HIS fault.”
I buckled myself in and remained quiet most of the way to school.
We arrived to find the parking lot free from people because we were running so late, “Do you have your schedule yet?”
“No.”
“I’ll take you to the office, but I’ll have to leave your there or I’ll be late for homeroom.”
“Sure, thanks.”
Supportively, I took his hand and walked him up the cement stairs into the school, showing him where the office was and then ditching him to make my way to homeroom.
Angry Adam
The anthem was just beginning to play as I rushed to my desk. Adam wasn’t there which was weird because he was always there. I pulled my phone out to text him and see if he was okay when I spotted the texts from him I had forgotten to open. I clicked on his name and began reading:
6:45 p.m.
Adam: U look beautiful, why R U so dressed up 4 a person U never met B4?
6:46 p.m.
Adam: Call me after he’s left.
11:18 p.m.
Adam: Did he leave?
12:01 a.m.
Adam: Why Rn’t U calling me?
9:00 a.m.
Adam: Meet me in my car after homeroom.
I couldn’t breath. He must have seen me get out of Ryan’s car. My heart was racing in panic mode.
Ryan and I were holding hands going up the stairs.
Coach Hicks told us to!
We did it here!
Why did we do it here?
I reached for HIS hand.
I told myself to take a deep breath. Mrs. Uptite was going through attendance like she had time to spare.
I didn’t think homeroom ever took this long.
It was taking a long time.
Too long.
The bell rang.
Homeroom suddenly felt like it ended too quickly. I collected all my stuff and scrambled to the parking lot not caring if I was going to be late or even attend the next class.
My eyes scanned the parking lot.
I noticed Adam’s Mustang parked immediately NEXT to Ryan’s black Mercedes.
Breath Dalia breath! How do I let myself get into messes like this one?
Adam is standing outside of his car staring at me. He’s dressed in his usual hat with a hoodie covering most of his face and jeans.
He’s smoking.
He’s smoking a cigarette.
He never smokes.
I don’t ever think I’ve seen him smoke before.
Is this what he does when he’s angry?
Petrified to approach him but knowing I had to, my legs were getting heavier with each step.
He was jumping to the wrong conclusions.
Maybe I was jumping to the wrong conclusions.
I don’t know for sure that he saw me.
I have no idea why he wants to talk.
I didn’t think I was,
Jumping to conclusions that is.
He most definitely saw me.
The Car
He took a long drag of the cigarette before flicking it and unlocking the car doors. I knew I only had seconds to collect myself and get it together. He didn’t look at me or talk, just silence.
I waited for him to say something but he didn’t. I started staring at the clock on his dash. I would wait five minutes for him to break the ice (pardon the pun) and if he didn’t than I would. My face was getting hot with upset.
I knew he was waiting for me to start, “Hi.” Oh.My.God. How lame! It couldn’t have been more lame! I looked passed him at the Mercedes praying we would quickly finish whatever we were doing here, in case Ryan came out. I lied to Ryan about having a boyfriend! It wasn’t like I had a choice though. I was put on the spot with Mrs. Kennedy AND my parents being there!
“HI?” he mimicked in an exaggerated tone.
“I take it buddy who drove you here
Mandy M. Roth, Michelle M. Pillow