Love Before Graduation

The daylight seeped in around a crack in my drapes illuminating my face with a spindly golden line. I woke up blinking at the light, my mind muddled from dreams that refused to define themselves—snatches of Arin's stare, Nami's laughter, fragments of strange voices.

I stayed motionless for a bit letting the soft sounds of the world waking up sink in: birds singing outside, the distant clanking of my mom in the kitchen.

Then it dawned on me—school. A fresh day. Another shot to tackle whatever lay ahead.

I dragged myself out of bed, my arms and legs feeling heavy from leftover sleepiness. When I looked in the mirror, I saw puffy eyes and hair sticking out all over. I tried to clean up this messy appearance.. I doused my face with cold water allowing the jolt to rouse me then donned my uniform—crisp white shirt, navy skirt, the familiarity of it centering me.

Nami's vow rang —I'm not going anywhere—and I held onto it, a tiny flicker of courage. Yet Arin's remarks stuck too biting and unresolved.

What would the day hold?

My backpack sat on the couch where I'd placed it; I seized it draping it across my back as I entered the living area.

"Want food?" my mom yelled from the kitchen, her voice gentler than yesterday but still tinged with anticipation.

"No appetite," I said putting on my footwear.

I didn't hang around for her answer—didn't want another speech. The door snapped closed as I exited.

The summer morning air felt warm, with life buzzing all around. I pulled my scooty out of the shed, and its engine started up with its usual sound. As I headed to school, the breeze blew through my hair helping to clear my mind a bit.

The school entrance appeared ahead, and I eased up, my pulse quickening. I parked my scooter, inhaled , and moved ahead.

No matter what occurred, I'd confront it—somehow or other

"Was Nami telling the truth on the call last night when she said she wasn't mad, or was she just saying that to avoid me?"

"And Arin... what is he thinking? Is he starting to see me as the bad one?"