When Lori entered the school with her sisters trailing nervously behind her all eyes snapped in her direction.
What's she doing here?
Why isn't she home mourning?
She doesn't even look like she's been crying?
These were some of the mumblings that Lori heard as she walked straight ahead with her head held high and avoiding eye contact with anyone and everyone.
Her sisters tried to keep up with her to build a wall of support around her. They didn't understand exactly what was going on with their big sister, but they did know that they wanted to protect her like she always protected them.
They were in different classes however, so they eventually had to part ways.
"Remember sis, just call my name and I'll be there and be somebody to lean on," Luna said quietly as she slowly walked towards her first period band class.
The others gave her affectionate taps on the shoulder and loving looks before parting ways.
When Lori entered first period, everyone glared at her as she took her seat (even her teacher).
She tried not to let it deter her. She wanted to be here, if she was here, she could continue pretending that it wasn't real. This was one time she was thankful that Bobby had moved away. He wasn't a student here anymore, so she felt safe avoiding the situation here.
Or so she thought.
First period went off without much fanfare. Lori remained overly attentive, actively trying to get called on, and trying to get lost in the subject….even if it was stupid trigonometry.
When class ended she bolted from her desk and out to her next class before anyone could talk to her. Even as she heard her gal pals calling out for her, she blocked them out. She knew what they wanted to talk about and she couldn't bear it.
She was so lost in her focus to get away as quickly as possible that she accidentally ran into some lockers.
Not just any lockers though.
Bobby's old locker.
Lori was dismayed to find that there was a small batch of flowers attached to it.
"Oh Lori-" Carol Pingrey said as she placed a rose on the locker.
"What is this?" Lori asked through gritted teeth. She was furious, but she wasn't about to cry. Not now, not in front of Carol and everyone.
"It was my idea Lori, some of the other Seniors and I thought that it would be nice to make a little memorial to bo-"
"This isn't his locker anymore Carol….he doesn't live in Royal Woods anymore," Lori's voice began to crack. Bobby didn't live anywhere anymore.
"I know Lori, but he was part of our class and we wanted to reme-"
"This locker doesn't belong to him Carol….it belongs to…" Lori looked over to find the young boy who had gotten Bobby's locker after he moved. Lori had spent a lot of time dramatically crying in front of the locker after Bobby had moved away, but she had never even bothered learning the name of the boy.
"You! Wha-what's your name?" Lori asked, desperate to keep her composure.
"Abel…Abel Chambers," the boy said nervously.
"That's right! It belongs to my good friend Abel!" Lori said as she put her arm around the random boy.
"I told them it was okay Lori….it's ok to miss him," Abel said. He didn't know Lori very well, but it was impossible to deny her love and devotion to Bobby.
"Why would I miss him? He clearly wouldn't miss me…why else….why else would he choose to leave me!? I-I'M GLAD HE'S GONE! I HATE HIM!" Lori yelled as she dashed down the hall. She had no idea where she was going, but she had to run. She had to get away from this hell.