As promised another chapter once I saw a review. Thankyou, ww-strange thoughts-ww. I've been having a bit of a rough week and small as the review was it definitely lifted my spirits.
Any way, I think this week is teacher appreciation, if not my bad. But, I included a little bit of teacher appreciation, because teachers are awesome. And most of them are very underpaid. I've had some really amazing teachers who were so supportive and I kind of like to include my own experiences in my writing so... yeah
Unfortunately I probably won't have the next chapter up by Monday, I have a really busy weekend. I'll post when I can. Reviews are always welcome, no matter what they say.
Read and hopefully enjoy!
"When are you gonna get that thing off?" Thorne gestured toward her cast as he piled food on two trays, then slid them down to the end of the counter/shelf.
She awkwardly picked up her tray and said, "I think in a few weeks. I am definitely ready to get it off though."
They walked across the cafeteria and sat at the table filled with Thorne's many friends. Thorne sat next to Cinder, and Cress plopped down on the other side of Winter. The table was filled with chatter and Cress allowed herself to be enveloped in it, though not taking part in it.
"Cinder!" Someone shrieked from close to their table. Cress took a moment to find her, though afterward, found it hard to look anywhere else. She had the brightest shade of blue hair that Cress had ever seen and it was tied into lots of little braids. She was just as good looking as Winter, though with a slightly lighter skin tone. She stood expectantly with her arms open, as if expecting Cinder to hug her.
"Iko-friend, you should come sit with us!" Winter was the first to address her, she patted the spot in between her and Cress for Iko to occupy.
She happily sat down, though gave Cinder a dirty look for not hugging her. Kai spoke first after that, "Iko, where have you been?"
"I'm surprised that Cinder didn't tell you all. I was in Mexico for the last month and a half!" She was bursting with the news.
"Spoiled," Cinder whispered under her breath, when Iko turned an accusatory glance at her she quickly defended herself, "What! It's true. The best vacation I've had in a few years was going to Idaho for my cousin's wedding. We went for one week."
"Granted. Now, who's this?" Iko gestured to Cress and she felt mildly offended.
"That's Cress. You've missed a lot of drama. Anthony picked a new target, guess who," Cinder gestured at her, "Jacin was hired once again as a bodyguard, and once again that person has now joined our group." Cress didn't like how Cinder told the story.
"Oh, did Anthony do that to your arm? I'm surprised he wasn't expelled. Was he suspended?" Iko didn't even pause to receive an answer, "You have gorgeous hair by the way. I'll have so much fun styling it. You should come over to my house tonight!"
"N-no thanks. I think I'm going to go now. Ms. Gosnell wanted help reshelving some of her books." This was true, though up until now Cress hadn't planned on going to help her.
She didn't bother bringing her lunch, just swinging her bag over her shoulder and walking away.
She stopped when Thorne called to her, still seated at the table, "Hey, Cress, do you want me to come with you?"
"No, I think I'm good. I'll see you in P.E." She continued walking, and nobody else called for her.
But she did hear Iko say something, "Wait, she's one of Thorne's girls?"
A wave of shock ran through her, then Thorne said, "Don't talk about Cress that way. It's not like that at all."
Then Jacin, "Seriously Iko? Not everything is about Thorne. Cress is also way too smart to fall for Thorne right off the bat."
She didn't hear anything else as she exited the lunch room. She felt a weird mix of pride that both Jacin and Thorne had defended her, but also shame, that Iko treated her like she wasn't there and assumed that she was just another of Thorne's girls.
That brought her to another matter. How many girls did Thorne date if Iko labeled her as 'one of Thorne's girls' that quickly?
Ms. Gosnell had lots of helpers so it didn't take very long to finish, though Cress barely did anything because there were so many people and her cast. They had finished before lunch did, and since Cress didn't want to go back there, she hung out with Ms. Gosnell.
"How are you doing, Cress?" Ms. Gosnell's question seemed like it was trying to be less serious than it was.
"I'm doing fine, I'm hanging out with more people?" It came out as a question rather than a statement.
"Yes, I noticed that and I'm glad. Just be careful with Carswell, he's an… interesting one. Has Anthony been bothering you at all?"
"Nope, not at all." It was the truth.
"Then why are you here?" It was a question that in Ms. Gosnell's opinion probably cut right to the real truth.
"Um.." she wasn't sure if she wanted to answer that, though ultimately decided that it wouldn't really hurt anything, "I was sitting with Winter and Jacin, when Iko came. She didn't know me, and it annoyed me that she asked everyone else who I was instead of me. It's kind of stupid."
"It's not stupid, I get it. But what you should do next time is tell people that. Tell them what bothered you instead of walking away. It'll help you a lot during life."
The bell rang then, and Cress left pondering what Ms. Gosnell had said. It seemed like good solid advice.
"Come on, I'll walk with you to your locker." Ms. Gosnell stood up and put on her cardigan opening the door as Cress followed suit.
"I don't have to stop by my locker, I have gym class. After that I have technology and everything I need for that class is supplied. I'm just going to head to the gym." Cress hadn't gone far when Ms. Gosnell spoke and she had to turn back to hear what she said.
"Hey, Cress, I'm not going to assume anything, but I do know most people your age have lots of issues, so if you ever need a safe place my door is open. If you ever need anything, stop by my classroom. If I'm not there just wait for me. Here's a pass, all the teachers know that if you have this you can come over to my class. If any of the teachers don't let you come, tell me and I'll fix it."
Cress didn't know what to say, so she didn't say anything. Just mutely took the little laminated card.
"I'm a safe place. I hope you know that." Ms. Gosnell gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, and Cress left for good.
She saw Thorne in front of the doors of the gym. "How come you stayed longer to help Ms. Gosnell? I saw all of the other kids come back."
It was a little weird that he had been paying that close attention. She had always thought he was absent minded and only really noticed his inner circle.
"I'll tell you later, maybe. If you behave. But one thing I did learn is that teachers are severely underpaid. Especially Ms. Gosnell."
"Okay… Well I'm glad you had fun." Thorne gave her one last look before he pushed the doors open and entered the gym with her behind him.
She thought she saw him sneak another glance at her, but she must've imagined it.