Hello again! Here is the next chapter of The Outside. It's a bit shorter, so I apologize for that. But to say I've been super busy with work is an understatement. I worked 5 hours Friday, 10 Saturday, 4 Sunday, 4 Monday, 4.5 Tuesday, and I'm scheduled for 5 today. I'm off tomorrow (thankfully), but then I work 8 Friday morning and 10 on Saturday. I have no idea about next week, but it probably won't be pretty. It'll be a nice pay check, but still—some time to write and hang out with friends would be nice.
Anyways, enough of that. I'm going to do review replies since I have some time today.
Christie (The Beautiful Filth) — Thank you for the continued reviews, Christie! Yes, Bethany is kind of a dork. (:
Molly (mozzi-girl) — Thanks, Molly! It's really fun to write about teenage Mal and Nat. :D
Guest 1 — Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it. (:
Guest 2 — Thanks! Yes, I try to update once every couple days, though sometimes it's more or less, depending on when I find the time. (:
Lauren (Troubles In Paradise) — Thank you, Lauren! I'm glad you're liking it so far! And truth be told, their relationship is so fun to write about, too! :D
All right, well, without further ado... Chapter seven!
As I'm walking to Physics the next day, I notice Mal coming from the opposite way. Once we're in closer proximity, we make eye contact and he smiles slightly.
"Ready for the test?" I ask as we walk into the classroom.
"I guess," he answers with a shrug. As always, he seems really tired. "About as ready as I can be, anyways," he adds. I lightly laugh at this.
"What score do you need on this to raise your grade?" I question as we sit down in our normal spots. A few more students begin to filter in.
"At least a seventy-seven," he answers, already looking defeated. "I tried reviewing again last night, but I just... couldn't concentrate, I guess." He lowers his voice a little as other students begin to walk in and sit down. "I don't know how the hell a seventy-seven will happen, though, because my highest score is barely a seventy-three. I suck at this class."
His tired eyes meet mine again and I flash him an encouraging smile.
"Don't worry about it," I tell him. "You were doing really well yesterday, and you've definitely improved. You'll do fine."
He looks at me for a moment before appreciatively returning the smile. "Thanks, Natara," he replies.
"Anytime," I reply as the tardy bell rings and Mrs. Roberts strides to the front of the classroom. She is holding a pile of packets, presumably our tests. She quickly takes attendance before shushing everyone and handing out the papers.
A half an hour later, I finish the last question and stand to turn it in. As I return to my seat, I glance over at Mal and see he's on the last page, though he appears to be stuck on one of the last problems. I know which one it is, too—I had to re-do it a couple times before getting a logical—and hopefully correct—answer.
He glances up as I sit back down, his blue eyes portraying his exasperation. I flash another "you got this" smile, which he half-heartedly returns before taking a deep breath and trying again. Five minutes later, he stands to hand it in.
After the bell rings and kids begin to hurry out of the room, Bethany says she has to run to the bathroom and will meet me in PE. She scurries off and I gather my things. I wait as Mal grabs his stuff, then we walk out of the room together.
"How'd it go?" I ask him as we walk down the hall.
"I think I actually might've passed," Mal replies, "so not bad."
I laugh. "I'm sure you did fine."
He glances over at me for a second, then smiles in response. "Thanks for the encouragement," Mal says softly. "It really helps. I... Don't hear it often."
"You're welcome," I reply with a slightly sad smile, suddenly extremely thankful for two healthy, supportive parents. Neither of us speak as we turn the corner towards the freshman wing, which he is, for whatever reason, following me to.
"How's your mom?" I ask in a low voice as I stop at my locker. I twist the combination in and pull the metal door open, sliding my Physics book into place and setting my notebook in its respective spot.
"She's... not good," he responds, gaze directed down. I close my locker and we begin the short walk towards the gym. "I went to the hospital after school yesterday, and... I mean, she was stable and everything, but she just... She just looked really different, and she wasn't talking, and I, uh, don't know how to put it, really... She was there physically, but mentally she was just kind of... spaced out."
We come to a stop in front of the gymnasium and he leans against the wall.
"I'm sorry," I mutter quietly, lightly and briefly touching his arm.
"It's fine," he replies, even though it clearly isn't. I don't know what else to say, though, so I stay quiet, and so does he. I want to ask why he walked with me when his last class is clear across the building, but I don't want to make things awkward, so I keep my mouth shut about it.
"Well," I start, "I'll see ya' later. Gym time."
"Yeah," he replies, re-positioning his bag over his shoulder. "Later."
After a very long gym class of various running games, Bethany and I part ways. She heads to the front door where her mother is waiting outside, and I walk around to a side door; my mom usually waits over there because it's less crowded. I also prefer it because it's a fairly empty hallway. Only one classroom is located there; the other rooms are either janitorial or storage. I walk down it and soon slide into my mother's car. We exchange greetings and she asks her customary question before driving off. I answer happily, then turn to the backseat. Neha is sleeping, and she looks adorable.
"How do you think your Physics test went?" she inquires as she pulls onto Main Street.
"It was easy," I tell her, "except for one problem. I think I got it, though."
"Great," she smiles proudly. "I'm glad."
A couple days later, Bethany is absent from school. I had gotten a text from her this morning telling me that she'd be gone because she wasn't feeling well. Mal and I walk up at similar times again, and I notice that he doesn't seem as tired today. He flashes me a quick grin as he falls into step beside me.
"Hey," he says as we walk in and take our usual seats. "How's it goin'?"
"Good," I answer cheerfully. "How 'bout you?"
"Decent," he replies, seeming to be in slightly better spirits today.
I set my stuff down on the desk. "Scared to get the test back?"
"A little," he admits nervously. "I would ask if you are, too, but I really don't suppose you are."
I laugh and shrug nonchalantly. "A little."
"Well, AP students," Mrs. Roberts addresses after the bell rings. "I have your tests graded, and I'm disappointed to see that the majority of you scored very poorly. I don't know if it was due to the fact that it was too hard, or that you guys just didn't study. Which would you say it was?" Silence answers her question as everyone averts their eyes. "Well, come on. I'm not just asking rhetorical questions to hear myself speak."
"Didn't study," one kid in the back mumbles. A dozen more murmur agreement. I stay quiet, as does Mal; he just winces and looks down.
"I'm glad we agree," Mrs. Roberts states after the chorus of "didn't study" dies down. "If you did not know already, this was the last test before the mid-semester exam. So for those of you who did not do well, I highly suggest you study very hard for it. Your grade depends on it. I'm not angry, but I am extremely disappointed. I expect much higher scores from an Advanced Placement class. If you're not willing to work for it or aren't keeping up, you should be in normal Physics."
The room drops into tense, eerie silence as Mrs. Roberts lets her words sink in. I glance over at Mal to see that he's staring at the floor, slightly embarrassed and clearly unnerved. I try to catch his gaze to offer silent reassurance, but he won't look up.
"If you scored below a seventy-percent," Mrs. Roberts continues, "you will need to get your test signed by at least one parent or legal guardian. They should be aware of your poor performance, and hopefully push you to do better next time." A few kids groan at this, but the teacher ignores them and continues lecturing us for the remainder of the hour. She is clearly not in a superior mood today.
"I will hand you your tests as you go out the door," she proclaims as the bell rings. Everyone shoots up and shuffles to the door. I join the back of the line, and Mal stands behind me. He looks extremely discouraged, even though he hasn't received his score yet.
"Excellent job!" Mrs. Roberts commends with a proud smile as she hands me my test. You are an exceptional student. Keep it up!" I thank her—moderately embarrassed that she announced that so loudly—and glance at my score, exhaling in relief at the one-hundred circled at the top.
Mal is behind me, and she almost does a double-take before handing him his paper.
"Well, Malachi, I am impressed," she states as he cautiously accepts it. "An immense improvement from your last few."
He quickly flips it over. Though he quickly tries to hide it, his face lights up in surprise.
"Eighty-five," he tells me after we're out the door, unmistakable relief in his voice and smile. We start walking back to the freshman wing, which he is, again, following me to.
"Whoa!" I respond, surprised but impressed. "That's awesome, Mal. Good job." He smiles back at me. "See," I add, slightly teasingly as we approach my locker, "I told you you'd do fine."
He smiles at me appreciatively. "Thanks for not giving up on me," he says as I shove my books into it and slam it shut. Then, taking me by surprise, he steps towards me and gives me a quick hug. It takes me a moment, but I lightly hug back.
"I don't care what you say otherwise," he says as he pulls away. "I know you got impatient at times."
I laugh and shrug, hoping against hope that my face has not turned cherry-red "At times, yes," I admit with a grin. "But whatever. We all have our weak areas."
"Now I just have to pass that final," he adds in a mellower tone. "That'll be fun."
"We can study together if you'd like," I tell him. "But hey, look at this last one." He grins, still clearly proud. "Even Mrs. Roberts was impressed."
"That would be cool," he says as we begin walking down the hall. A
"Have fun," he laughs, motioning towards the gym.
"Oh, I will," I mutter in light-hearted sarcasm.