17

My thoughts wandered during detention. I sat there trying to find a plan to get out. I glanced at the clock, 2 o’clock. I twirled my pencil in my hand, suddenly wishing that someone, anyone, I could talk to would walk through that door. Just at that very second Kara and her minions walked through the doors. Oh no.

Kara looked over at me. “Awwww. Should we give money to the poor?” They all snickered and walked toward the table across from me. They pulled out their phones and started typing. Probably making fun of girls on the internet.

“Put your phones away,” The detention clerk barked. “The rules apply to everyone in here.”

Kara glared at him. “I think you’re forgetting who my father is.”  To this the clerk seemed confused then realized she was the principal’s daughter.

“Oh! I am very sorry, ma’am! Go ahead.”

I sighed. Pathetic.

“No worries. Wouldn’t want you to get fired,” she said in a cold voice.

The rest of detention dragged on and when the bell finally rang, I was not in a good mood. I quickly walked past Kara and her minions to meet Levi for drama. I was glad Ben wasn’t in this class. I still felt weird.

“Hey,” I muttered as Levi walked to my side.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

I was surprised he could tell, but then again, we have been friends ever since I moved here.

“Detention.”

“You were in detention?” he asked, stunned. Academic slacking is not usually my thing.

I quickly told him everything that went down. Levi went quiet and gave me a look.

“I know! I know! It just popped out of my mouth!” I said guiltily.

“It popped out of your mouth? You have to be more careful with Ben. That was a really hard time for him.” This was one of those times I rarely see Levi serious.

I went back and searched through my mind to when Ben’s sister died. We hadn’t hung out for weeks until he started to come around again. Even now he barely talked like he used to.

I choked back my tears and stepped inside room 234. Great, now I have to pretend I’m happy. FML.

After drama it was lunch, and I was not ready for the awkward meeting with Ben. I sat down at our usual table outside. Ben was first to arrive.

“Hey,” I cleared my throat. “Look, Ben,” I said before he could say anything, “I’m so sorry. I know it was a rough ti-”

Dang it! I already messed up my speech. I shouldn’t have mentioned-

Ben interrupted my thoughts. “Tory, don’t beat yourself up about it, ok? I know it was an honest mistake.”

“Thanks Ben.”I exhaled, not realizing I was holding my breath.

Just then Levi sat down next to us. He snuck a look saying did you apologize? I nodded.

“Did you guys hear about the dance coming up?” Levi asked. I could tell he was excited about it. I was not, because dances mean dresses and dresses means dresses.

“Blargh.” I said, stuffing my face with food.

“It will be fun Tory! We will all go together!” Levi said. Ben started at me. A look in his eyes. I couldn’t quite place what the look meant but it wasn’t anger.

“Yay,” I said sarcastically. “Come on. Don’t make me lose my appetite. I’m eating.”