Page 100 of The Tattered Gloves
I did the same and managed to sneak in just as everyone was walking out toward the gym. I’d never been so late for a class in my life. My heart was beating so fast. I was sure everyone around me could hear it as I wove through, searching for Allison.
“There you are!” she said under her breath. “I covered for you when roll was called, said you were in the restroom.”
“Thank you. Mrs. Landers asked Sam and me to stay late to discuss the possibility of her book club meeting at the store and then we ended up talking past the bell,” I explained as we walked side by side.
“That’s it?” she whined. “I was really hoping for something far more scandalous. Next time I lie for you, make sure it’s for something juicy, okay?”
I laughed. “I’ll try.”
I was never a fan of pep rallies. They were loud, the bleachers were incredibly uncomfortable to sit on, and then there was the horde of people. The teachers squeezed us in there like cattle, no regard for our personal space. The first time I’d walked in here, I’d nearly had a panic attack. If it hadn’t been for Allison making sure I was safe and untouched, I might have run out and never returned to school.
She’d been my rock this year.
And, to think, I’d tried to turn her away just because of the way she looked.
I’d thought she was too pretty, too perky, and altogether too normal for me. But she’d persisted and broken down my walls, and somehow, I’d found a lifelong friend in that pretty, perky girl.
“You okay?” she asked as we took our seats toward the front.
Thankfully, our class had arrived a bit late, so we didn’t have to make the long hike toward the top of the bleachers today.
Nodding, I casually took a look around for Sam and quickly spotted him a few rows up behind us. He’d obviously already found me because the moment my eyes met his, he smiled.
And my stomach did a flip-flop.
“Hey, do you think they’ll let us go if this thing gets done early?” Allison asked with hope.
“No, we’d never be so lucky,” I replied, turning back around toward the front, just in time to see our principal take center stage.
“Good afternoon, Sugar Tree High!” he shouted into the microphone with forced enthusiasm.
Some of the students gave it back to him, yelling and making obnoxious sounds, like Allison.
She proudly stood and hollered, “Go, Statesmen!”
Others, like me, sat quietly and tried to be invisible.
“We’re glad to have you back after a long, relaxing winter break. We’re greatly looking forward to a successful and fun rest of the year. I hope you all are ready and prepared for your exams coming up in the next few weeks and are looking forward to your spring semester!”
The senior section of the gym gave out a unanimous cry of victory, celebrating the mention of their last semester of high school.
Lucky jerks.
“As a treat before finals, we’ve decided to give you a little taste of what you have to look forward to this spring in sports! We have a new basketball coach, who will be introduced in a minute. But, first, as always when a new semester begins, we’d like to start out by introducing new staff and faculty.”
“Oh God, we’re going to be here for an eternity,” someone muttered behind me.
I briefly turned around to see Katie Drew directly behind me, still overdressed and wearing her offensive necklace. She flashed me a fake smile before rolling her eyes. The sound of her little posse of friends snickering could be heard as I swiftly turned back around to hear the polite round of applause for the new groundskeeper and administrator.
“We also have a new faculty member to introduce,” Principal Mendoza announced.
“Oh, it’s your new favorite teacher, Allison,” Katie taunted from behind us.
My hand quickly grabbed hers. “Don’t let her get to you,” I said.
But it wasn’t my words that settled her. Her eyes were frozen on our hands, and then a wide smile spread across her face.
“I won’t,” she replied.
