"Thanks for the crackers." I say as I close his door behind me.

"Omera?" I hear a curious voice call out to me as I'm leaving breakfast. I turn around and see Rose, she sat near me in math. She's nervous almost all the time, I don't know how she even called out to me.

"Yes?" I look at her trying to form words. I pity her, it must be hard not being able to talk to anyone with ease.

"Do you know where Maci is?" She questions. Maci hadn't attended breakfast this morning and it made me realize I don't have many friends. It was a bit embarrassing when I noticed all the girls I had cursed out were all staring at me eat alone.

"No idea. Did you need something?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. She quickly shakes her head and walks away with a nervous expression. I roll my eyes without a care, it isn't my fault she can't toughen up.

I ignore the usual "girl-running-out-of-the-office-bald" routine, as does everyone else, and rush up to English class. I want to be the first there as usual, but when I enter the class it becomes evident that I'm not the first today.

"Maci?" I look at her with a look of confusion. Dan and Maci's heads snap towards me, and it looks like I've interrupted a very important conversation.

"Hey Omera." She looks at me with the same look of nervousness that Rose always has painted on her face.

"What were you two talking about and why did you skip breakfast for it?" I come to the point immediately with narrowed eyes.

"Nothing." Maci says quickly as she covers her mouth. I feel my jealousy boil, and suddenly I want to rip Maci's hair out of her head.

I stop myself, and take a deep breath. Maci's personality is pretty unique, she accuses herself for things and can't protect herself. Nothing was going on here, I can't keep thinking like this. She's my best friend, she wouldn't do anything to hurt me. Dan wouldn't either.

"That's cool. The bell is about to ring, so I'll get to my seat." I try acting as casual as possible. I sit down and take out my English notebook.

"Oh...that was very calm." He seems surprised as he watches me write the date, Maci rushes to her seat quickly.

"I guess." I shrug.

--

"I feel uncomfortable saying this." I protest to Ms. Cara. Manners class is dumb, she just makes us read a horrible script that sounds like it's meant for porn.

"I don't care, you must learn how to talk properly." She spits. She crosses her arms and waits for me.

I sigh, and look at Mr. C. He looks uncomfortable as well, almost everyone is expect Ms. Cara.

"I need some service." Mr. C mumbles holding up his glass. I grab the empty pitcher and walk over to him. I look behind me at Ms. Cara and then back at Mr. C.

"Sir, I would love to give you some service." I reluctantly say with a fake smile. I begin to pour the fake water in his glass.

"Thank you, young lady." He responds.

"My pleasure, Sir." I mumble. I look back at Ms. Cara for some type of approval, but she shakes her head.

"You must show respect by lowering your gaze, you are not worthy enough for eye contact." She explains to me. Before I could roll my eyes, the auditorium doors open and in comes Mr. Howell in the same clothes he had this morning.

"Mr. Howell, what a pleasant surprise." Ms. Cara smiles.

"Lower your gaze." I sarcastically suggest. She gives me a dirty look but turns back to Mr. Howell.

"Good afternoon, I'm here to take Mr. C's place." He waves to Mr. C who seems more than happy to leave.

"Ah, well come over and learn the script." She motions over to the table that Mr. C has abandoned. He walks out of the auditorium and I begin to think he requested to be replaced.

Dan walks over to the table and looks over the script, he seems a bit confused. "This is the script, right?"

"Yes." Ms. Cara says, he nods as he reads it over again.

Ms. Cara turns to me. "Run through it again, and this time do it right."

I grab the empty pitcher and walk over to where Dan sits. He looks at me and then back at the script, he flips through the pages looking for the correct line.

"It's right here." I say in annoyance as I turn to third page and point.

"Oh, I need some service." He nods as he stares directly at me.

I lower my gaze. "Sir, I would love to give you some service." I close my eyes, I don't want Ms. Cara to see me rolling my eyes again.

I bring the empty pitcher of water and pretend to pour it into his glass. He stares at me, holding back a laugh. He looks down at the script.

"Thank you, young lady." He states with a smile.

"My pleasure, Sir." I mirror his expression.

"I don't understand what's so funny." Ms. Cara looks at us both as if we were children.

"Your script, it's ridiculous. I don't think any of these girls are going to be in a place where people talk like this." He explains as he puts the script down on the table.

"If they want to be successful then this is how they will speak." She says back politely.

"You don't even speak like this. How do you expect to teach the girls this?" He stands up and walks up to her. He stares her down, I don't think he meant to be intimidating but his height clearly makes her nervous.

"Well, I'll change it up." She agrees. She lowers her gaze. It's quite clear she believes men are superior to her, I guess that's why she's teaching us these scripts and manners. Life must be hard for her if she just bows her head and follows orders based on gender. She must have been taught to be like this, and it's quite sad.

She's dumb.

--

Dad: Do you still want out?

I stare at the text with furrowed eyebrows. I look around my room hoping for some sign to appear.

It seems even like Dan wants me to stay but why should I keep this up? It'll be easier to just leave and visit. I don't like hiding from everyone, it's surprising no one has found out yet. Maybe that's why Dan is no longer nervous, we won't be caught. However, hiding in school is getting stressful.

But isn't that the whole excitement? Just seeing him in class is the joy. If he'll be teaching all day, how will I see him? How will I make sure there's no funny business in school? I could ask Maci but she's so oblivious to what flirting is and what being friendly is.

Omera: When are you coming?

Dad: That's on you

I hate this, being on the fence about a decision. I hear a knock on my door, and pause. Who would be here past curfew? I quickly type a response when another lock follows.

Omera: Give me until the end of the week!

___

A/N:

Sorry for the lateness, I'm kinda falling apart. This was actually done two days ago and I didn't hit publish. It's just become a routine for me to mess up. For example, I took a shower and blow dried my hair, and then took another shower two hours later. I'm a mess, but it's summer. I'm getting my life together. Just you wait...

I think I'm going back on track after this, but don't quote me.

-bites