ALLY
After lunch, there was a change in the atmosphere. The place was turning noisy as more people gathered together in groups.
Something was happening. No, rephrase that, something strange had happened.
Students were standing in groups whispering amongst themselves, some people would occasionally look in my direction, like they made it so obvious they were talking about me.
Was this still about the rumors?, I thought.
Doubt that, because things had been really cool this past few days. It was hard to explain how, or why, but the side talks had stopped. No more pointing fingers, no more staring.
So, what was the problem now?
"What have I done wrong again?"
I just couldn't shake off that feeling of dread clouding my mind. Even when I tried to brush it off as normal students gossip, the knot in my stomach proved otherwise.
My heart skipped when my name echoed over the school speakers.
'Ivy Report to the principals office immediately.'
I looked up. Everyone else did too.
Some people turned their heads, others just stared from the corners of their eyes.
Instantly, my body changed. l felt sick.
Sophia gave me a look, her brows raised. "What's happening?"
"I don't know," I said, looking around.
Gary leaned in from the side. "You think it's about that thing with Liam?"
I didn't say anything. I really didn't want to think about that.
Sophia waved it off. "No, that's old news. If they cared, they would've said something when it happened. It's probably something else."
She looked at me again. "Do you want me to come?"
I shook my head."It's fine. Just go back to class. I'll meet you guys later."
I picked up my bag, but wasn't really thinking. My hand was tight around the strap.
I could feel everyone's eyes on me. You should have seen the way my hands were shaking.
My heart raced as i walked to the principals office, infact, every step I took made me more nervous. I tried to push away the feeling that i had done something wrong, but I just could not, I was so worried and scared.
The hallways was unusually quiet, and as i walked to the office, my footsteps made very loud sounds on the floor. I could hear every sound of my movement, my heart raced uncontrollably.
I passed a few of my teachers who were talking not far from the principals office, a very unusual sight, because this was teaching period. Their conversations died down as I walked by.
One of them, Mrs. Parker, the creative art teacher, looked at me with a sympathetic smile, which made me feel uncomfortable, worse than i had felt.
"Why was everyone acting so strange?" I wondered.
When I got to the office, the secretary, Mrs. May didn't even ask why I was there. She just nodded and said, "Go ahead dear, they're waiting."
Inside, the office was two counselors. And the principal, Mr. Williams. The office was eerily quiet and the air serious. My eyes moved over the unfamiliar office, there were framed awards in the walls, a lot to wilting flowers on the principals desk, but that didn't bother me. I was more worried about the grave expression etched on their faces.
That made me even more uneasy. It didn't feel right.
They told me to sit. I did. My hands were tight in my lap.
I didn't say anything.
Was I in trouble?
Was my altercation with the "A-listers" the reason for this gathering? I wondered.
So scared that I couldn't bear the silence anymore, I asked, My voice soft and small. "Did I do something wrong? "
Mr. Williams looked at me with a sad look. "No, Ivy. This isn't about you doing anything wrong. It's ….something else. "
He paused, his mouth opened a few times to say something, but nothing was forthcoming. He signed, and leaned back in his seat.
Okay, That really got my attention. Something definitely wasn't right.
One of the counsellors looked at me. Not directly. Just in that way adults do when they're trying to be soft. I couldn't really remember her name.
She said."Ivy… your aunt called. There was an accident."