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Where Courage Ignites
3. Deception
January 9th, 2018
When mom's forceful voice carried all the way from the bottom of the stairs to my room to wake me, it felt as though I had only slept for twenty minutes. My eyes were painfully dry and my energy was drained even more than the evening before. I called back, "I'm up!" I tried my hardest to ignore the buzz of anxiety in my heart as I proceeded to dress myself, but it was futile. The bundle of nerves painfully twisted and churned at my gut with an unrelenting ferocity. I paused for a moment to lie on my bed and hold my knees into my chest in an attempt to relieve at least some of the pain.
"Gabriella?" My mother said, her voice now on the other side of my door. "Breakfast is ready."
"Mom," I groaned in pain.
"Gabriella?" The door opened and she came to sit down at the end of my bed. "Gabriella," she sighed, "I know this is a big change, but you can't give up already."
"It's my stomach, mom."
"Whatever it is, you need to keep going to school," she said, gently placing her hand on my arm.
I didn't consider arguing, knowing it'd be pointless trying to persuade her to let me stay home. Instead, I pushed myself to sit up on the bed next to her and said, "Okay." I slowly dragged my legs out from underneath me and onto the floor below.
"That's my girl."
…
When Mrs. Darbus used homeroom to deliver an unsolicited lecture on the importance of drama as an extracurricular activity, I inferred from the low buzz of small talk throughout the room that many of my disinterested peers were well accustomed to ignoring these lectures. I, without anyone to talk to, remained silent as my thoughts kept circling back to my uncompleted biology homework.
The moment the bell rang, I sprang from my seat and out the door. I speed-walked the entire length to the classroom, my aching calves protesting every step of the way. I rushed inside the room and spotted the guy from yesterday across the room. He was in the lab area again, leaning against a counter, talking leisurely with another student. I quickly weaved between the tables and chairs in the way to him and asked, "Can I borrow your textbook again?"
"Hey," he responded, not having registering neither my request nor its urgency.
"Can I borrow your textbook?"
He nodded, reached into the black backpack on the metal stool next to him, and exposed the hefty Biology book. I took the book from him and placed it on the counter on the other side of them. I quickly tossed my backpack up on the counter and dove in to find my notebook and a pen. I opened the textbook up to the proper page and pushed his loose notebook pages to the side. "Um," a voice began, but I suppressed my instinct to glance up and instead kept my eyes jumping back and forth between the problems and my paper. "I don't think you can finish that in time. It took me like fifty minutes last night."
The other guy said, "Yeah, it took me at least an hour."
I dryly rebutted, "I will if I could concentrate."
I heard them quietly snicker and resume their conversation, but their words quickly faded to white noise as I focused on the homework. After the first few problems, I caught onto their pattern and did the majority in my head, only needing to print the last few steps and their answers. I was so intently focused on finishing the last problems that I didn't notice when the guy started talking to me again.
"We have to sit down," he said to me, his friend no longer with us. "He's coming in."
"Okay, I'm almost done."
He pulled the straps of his backpack over his muscular shoulders and slowly began dragging the textbook away from me. "Okay," I said, messily scribbling the last numbers down. "Thank you." We both spun around in unison only to be met by Mr. Brannigan with his arms crossed over his chest and a spiteful glare in his eyes.
He loudly accused us, "Are you sharing answers?" Everyone turned in their seats and directed their curious eyes on us.
I yelped, "No!"
The guy said, "Absolutely not. She was just borrowing my textbook."
Mr. Brannigan spat, "There's no way you finished last night's assignment within passing period. Give me your homework." I forced my shaking hands to open the notebook and present it to him. Mr. Brannigan snatched the notebook and averted his suspicious eyes to the guy. "And yours," he ordered.
He obliged and we watched on helplessly as Mr. Brannigan's quick eyes shot back and forth between our homework from beneath furrowed brows. I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, but that indisputable fact didn't matter to my nerves. I could feel my heart beat increasing and my stomach twisting over onto itself. I clenched my fists and jaw against the sensation of this familiar, unwavering pain in my abdomen.
"Well, they are different," Mr. Brannigan finally said and I released a pent up breath of air I wasn't aware I had been holding. "I want to speak to you after class." He slammed our assignments on the counter and walked to the front of the class without another word.
The guy asked, "Both of us?"
"Not you, Troy." He looked back over his shoulder and locked his narrowed eyes with mine. "Just her."
It took a few moments to realize that the guy had found his seat at our table and that I was still standing unmoved in the lab. With my breathing shallow and heart sunken into my stomach, I slowly made my way back to my chair.
I was desperate for time to stop, preferring to live an eternity listening to his lecture than confront Mr. Brannigan upon its conclusion. But time marched on as it does, second by second. My stomach cramped even harder with each passing moment, as it does as well. My clammy hand was clenched onto the fabric of my shirt in front of my stomach as I tried to find a comfortable posture. I barely heard a quiet, pathetic whimper as it unknowingly escaped my lips. My hand instinctively shot up to cover my mouth.
Troy whispered, "Are you okay?"
I swallowed nervously, "What?"
He glanced at the front of the room and back to me, leaning closer to repeat himself. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I lied, but that was much simpler than a rundown of all my problems.
Troy let his concerned eyes linger on me for a few moments longer before retiring them to the book again. I told myself not to read too far into it, that I wasn't special, that he's just a nice guy who would care for anyone like that.
Mr. Brannigan announced, "For homework tonight, complete all activities on page one-hundred and eighty-three." The sound of metal chair legs screeching along linoleum tile erupted across the room as everyone stood to leave. Mr. Brannigan remained stationed behind his desk at the front of the room. "Gabriella," he said, waving me over.
I pressed my sweaty palms flat against the table and carefully raised myself up. I considered the battle ahead as I traveled the dreaded path towards him. Mr. Brannigan, a reputable and respected educator, against me, the untrustworthy new student. My words alone wouldn't be enough against the influence his carried. Perhaps it would be easier to admit to cheating. Fighting would put me in the same position in the end, regardless that I was fighting for the truth. As I finally mustered the courage to look him in his fuming brown eyes, it appeared as though his mind was already made up. Nothing I could say would change his judgment. I decided then to take the quick route and confess to the plagiarizing I didn't commit. Tears were already blurring my vision when he began, "You're dismissed, Troy."
I turned around to see whom Mr. Brannigan was addressing and found the guy with the captivating blue eyes. "I know," he cleared his throat. "I just wanted to tell you that she wasn't cheating, Mr. Brannigan. Zeke and I saw her do it all by herself in passing period. He can tell you, too. She wasn't cheating, I swear."
Mr. Brannigan shifted his scrutinizing eyes back and forth from Troy to I in thought. Finally, he said, "You're a good student, Troy. I know you wouldn't risk any marks on your record. We both know your dad would be furious. You wouldn't do something that stupid, and if you say she wasn't cheating, then I have reason to believe you."
"I promise this season on it."
"Alright, it's settled then." Mr. Brannigan zeroed in on me and leaned into my face as he said warningly, "You're very lucky that he could vouch for you. I don't want to have this discussion again. If I see any more suspicious behavior, I'll be quick to discipline. Do you understand?"
I felt myself shaking beneath his threatening words. I parted my lips to speak, but their quivering quickly overcame my speech. I sealed them shut and nodded my head. I spun around and rushed for the door, picking up my backpack as I passed by the table, and left. I couldn't feel relieved or grateful yet, as I was still shaking from the ordeal. I only made it a few feet out the door when I realized a voice was yelling, "Hey!" after me.
I abruptly spun around and saw someone's strong chest nearly run into my face.
"Sorry," he stepped back, the body being Troy. "What was your name?"
"Gabriella."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Troy." I stared at him, my mind drawing of blank of what I should say next. He was making me nervous, but the sensation in my stomach felt like the fluttering of delicate butterfly wings instead of the stabbing sensations I was getting accustomed to. "It was really impressive how fast you finished the homework before class." He smiled, an adorable gap barely bigger than normal between his two front teeth.
Thanks, I thought, but forgot to say aloud.
"Um, we should study together," he suggested. "You need to borrow my book anyways."
While I was concerned about Mr. Brannigan assuming the worst if he caught us studying together, I didn't have anyone else offering to be my book buddy. "Okay."
"Great! Put your number in my phone."
I quickly entered my digits and gave the phone back for him to send me his address. I murmured a quiet thank you before awkwardly fleeing from the interaction without any farewell.
…
The lunch bell resonated across the school in a loud, glass breaking tone. In response, everyone marched towards the cafeteria like Pavlov's Dogs obeying their call. I was herded through the hallway by this stampede of bodies, their powerful current futile to resist. Once in the courtyard, I froze in place and took in the sight. On the opposite side of the courtyard, past the countless round tables littered about, massive pillars reached stories high to the ceiling above. Intermittently placed in the gaps between pillars stood magnificent windows glowing red from the Wildcat banners hung in front of them. I observed the students carelessly fling their heavy backpacks on the chairs to save their spots before racing each other to the food court. Everyone appeared familiar with their respective group, chatting merrily and excitedly greeting one another. Then there was me. No friends to greet me, no spot to save, no place to belong. With my shoulders hunched over and my head hung low in a stance of defeat, I turned around to exit the courtyard. I was blocked by an Asian guy sporting a vibrant gold and blue beanie that pressed his shaggy, jet-black hair against his forehead. He stared directly into my eyes, and I diverted mine to his converse sneakers. "Excuse me," I murmured to the shoes, beginning to walk around him.
"Where do you think you're going?" He stepped over a tile to block me from fleeing.
"Th- the library," I stammered, my sweaty hands finding my backpack strap and constricting around them.
"Don't be a dork." I wondered if this was one of those bullies the movies warn you about. I sheepishly looked back up at him and found a little smirk on his lips. Could this be…flirting?
"Are you flirting with me?" I know, so smooth.
He chuckled, "Sure, you're cute."
I felt a heat rise to my face, as I'm sure it blushed over. "Thank you." My nails reached further around my straps and into my palms, constricting along with my stomach.
He asked me, "Why aren't you eating lunch?"
"I don't have anyone to eat with."
"Just go up to a table," he scoffed. "God, what's so hard about that?"
"I-" My eyes scanned the busy scene around us to find an answer. I wanted to opt for the casual lie by saying I don't know, but I've never been that good of a liar. Although he didn't seem understanding or receptive to the truth, I said honestly, "That's easy for you to say when you've known these people your whole life. It's different when you're forever the new girl."
"Come with me," he reached around me to grab the handle on top of my book bag. With it, he pushed me through the tables until finally settling on one underneath the mascot on the wall.
"McKessie!" He addressed a girl sitting at the table whose eyes widened in surprise from the interruption. Her hands froze in their place, one on her yogurt, the other flipping through a textbook.
"Anthony?" The confused girl acknowledged him.
"My friend…" he paused, looking at me expectantly.
I said, "Umm, Gabriella."
"I caught little Gabriella on her way out of the cafeteria. She was heading to the library during lunch hour. It sounded like your kind of thing. So here," he pushed me forward by my backpack, "have a friend." I stumbled towards them, their confused eyes all directed at me. "She should fit right in. Play nicely!" He left.
I stood in front of their apprehensive eyes. I spotted a seat next to the girl, who I only knew by the name McKessie, occupied by just a book bag. "Can I sit there?" I asked.
"Yeah," She mumbled, quickly moving the rolling backpack to the floor and closing her textbook.
I settled down in the seat and said, "Thank you."
"Of course," she responded in a small, sheepish voice, similar to my own.
I sat silently pondering the bizarre guy I had just met. I was conflicted by his character. On one hand, he complimented me and found me a place to sit, but on the other, he kind of manhandled me through the courtyard. Perhaps it was just his sense of humor? Without anything to eat, I curiously looked over at the textbook McKessie had reopened. I asked her, "What are you studying?"
She jumped at the sound of my voice and responded, "I'm preparing for our upcoming scholastic decathlon."
"What's that?"
"It's where different schools in the area compile teams of the smartest students to represent their school in different scholastic competitions. It's mainly math or science problems, but there's also debate and history quizzes. It's pretty difficult."
"Can I see?"
She flipped through the book for a little while before settling on a page. "This is a titration calculation," she told me. "This district goes absolutely nuts over them. One was a tiebreaker last year."
"Is it alright if I try it?" I asked, twisting around in my seat to reach into my backpack and pull out a sheet of paper and a pen.
She raised an eyebrow before hesitantly agreeing, "I guess."
I got straight to work, immediately finding the sweet spot in my mind where numbers and calculations were abundant. After a couple minutes, I put my pen down and handed the sheet full of scribbled numbers to her.
"It looks right," She returned the paper to me and flopped the heavy textbook onto its back and began searching for the answer. "I can't believe it!" She rejoiced, bringing the fat textbook up to her chest and embracing it with a squeeze. "Do you want to be on our team?"
"Taylor," I traced the voice back to a heavyset, curly haired girl across the table. "We can't just make room for another person. Our team is full."
Taylor quipped back, "Those rules aren't definitive and you know that."
"But just after one titration problem?" The freckles on her nose scrunched up as she sneered at me.
"Certainly we can have her do more."
She snapped, "Since we did have tryouts after districts?"
I could feel the animosity brewing. I wasn't here to cause conflict. I really only wanted a place to sit. I finally spoke for myself, "No, it's okay. I'm actually just trying to focus on my classes right now."
"Oh please," Taylor said in disbelief, "I can tell you're maxed out on classes and still bored. What would it hurt? Besides, you'd be a great addition, and it looks good on college applications."
"I'll only do it if everyone wants me to," I decided.
"All in favor?" Taylor asked the group, and everyone at the table apart from the brunette raised their hands. "Martha?"
"It's not fair," Martha crossed her arms over her bust in a show of stubbornness.
I looked down at my nails and picked at imaginary dirt stuck in them as they continued to argue until the bell rang again.
…
After school was dismissed, I rushed out the doors with the hoards of other students anxiously waiting to be rejoined with the great outdoors. While others scurried to find their friends and race out of the parking lot, I was in search of a solitude area to read my book. I set off along a concrete trail to the left of the fountain in the direction of a bus pick up. Fearing I may get swept away by the crowd's current, I cut between a gap in the bushes and trotted along the wood chips laid down. I treaded along the back of the building where the sun disappeared. The air itself felt cooler between the downward slope of the land and the school.
After a few minutes of exploration, I happened upon an abandoned garden. Dead, shriveled leaves of the once boasting plants pathetically heaved over and remained flattened onto the clay ground. There was a single healthy tree, alive and well with its massive trunk and overhanging light green leaves. I slid my book bag off from around my shoulders and rested it against the trunk. I turned to lean my back against its trunk and slid down the rough bark to sit beneath the tree before removing the novel from my bag.
The protagonist was preparing to duel with an enchanted statue when I heard a shuffle from behind me. I called out, "Hello?"
There was no response.
I shook off the disturbance and continued reading when I heard it yet again a few minutes later. This time, I closed my book and stood up. I sheepishly began walking around the massive trunk, freezing when a pair of sneakers and blue jeans entered sight. I felt too awkward to turn back, so I kept walking around the tree. Although I couldn't see their face, I could identify the person by their blue and gold-stripped beanie.
"Anthony?"
He didn't hear me, but he kept bobbing his head rhythmically to a tune from his headphones. I approached and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Whoa!" He jumped, dropping the brownie he had been eating into his lap and looking up at me in fright. "Holy shit," he panted. "You nearly scared the shit out of me. What are you doing back here?"
I awkwardly glanced side to side. "Reading."
He laughed as though it had been a joke. "Reading?"
"Yes, what are you doing?"
"Hiding."
"Hiding from whom?"
"More like hiding for this," he raised the last bite of brownie up to me.
"Why would you need to hide to eat a brownie?"
"God," his spontaneous laughter sparked up in a second fit. "You're so innocent." He looked over at me mischievously. "Would you like to try some of my special brownie? There's a magical ingredient." He held it up to me and twisted it side to side to show it off.
I realized aloud, "That's a pot brownie."
"Damn it!" He huffed, throwing it into his mouth and swallowing the rest whole.
"Wait, would you have let me unknowingly eat a pot brownie?"
"Doesn't matter," he jumped to his feet and wiped his hands off on his jeans. "You figured it out."
He sauntered over to one of the skeletons of a bush and picked up a backpack and a skateboard from behind it. "See you around." He passed by the rest of the decrepit garden on his exit and yelled behind him in a nasally voice, "Enjoy your reading!" I heard one last mocking snort before his footsteps finally gave way to the quiet, which was quickly interrupted again by a buzz in my pocket. I checked the text on my phone:
Mom: I'm out front.
I carefully placed my book in my bag, positioning it safely between two notebooks, and went back the way I came to the front of the school. I easily spotted my mom's rusting minivan in the short lineup of cars. I tossed the passenger door open and heard a squeal coming from the backseat, cooing, "Gabby!"
"Is that my Isabella?" I looked into the back to find her in her car seat with a joyous smile, happily lifting her small teddy bear to show me the purple stuffed animal.
In my baby voice, I asked, "Who's that?"
"Is Maya!" She responded, stroking the bear's head lovingly before adjusting the pink bowtie around its neck.
"Is Maya your best friend?"
"Gabby my best friend!" She responded, her big brown eyes shooting up to mine as she excitedly extended her arms out to me.
"I love you!" I reached back to grab one of her small, soft hands.
"I love you, too," she murmured before redirecting her attention back to her bear Maya.
My mom glanced away from the road to me, "You're so good with her, Gabriella," she praised. "How was school?"
"It was okay." I smiled. "No, it was great! I met a lot of people."
"That's wonderful! Your dad is working late today, if you couldn't tell." Her eyes glanced up in the rearview mirror to look at Isabella.
"Okay, I was actually going to go over to someone else's house to study." I quickly explained, "We have to borrow the same book."
She asked skeptically, "At their house?"
"Or…a coffee shop?"
"I don't know, Gabriella. I haven't met their parents yet. Is it a boy?"
I lied, "No."
"Can't you study at our home?"
"I don't want to inconvenience her," I said, surprised by my own quick thinking. I braced myself for whatever else I'd need to cover up.
"Fine, but I want to meet them."
"I'll try." Third lie, I counted.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Do you think Gabriella will get busted? And what did you think of all the other people she met today? Let me know your thoughts in a review!
