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S A R A H

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We were halfway through the AP Lit class, when Mia leaned over from beside me to look at my book. "Ah, I played her in a play." She said. It was a self study session where we were all supposed to go over one play each and make comprehensive questions by ourselves. 

I looked at her. "You guys had a play on the Salem Witch Trials too?" I asked her and she nodded. "You guys had to too?" She asked. "What did you play?"

I shook my head. "I can't believe you played the most hated person ever. Literally my entire English class failed because no girl wanted to play Elizabeth Parris in our play." 

Liv and Stephan snickered from behind me. Evie slapped her hand at the desk, garnering our attention. "That's it." She declared. "I want a boyfriend. I am tired of pretending that I am happy being single." I looked at her book and saw she was reading Pride and Prejudice. Knowing her, it was probably her 40th time reading that book. I glanced back to see Kevin, who was trying his best to appear unfazed and uninterested. 

I smirked at Evie. "You complain about being single but never go out. What, just waiting for Mr. Perfect to break into your house?" I asked and she sent me a glare. 

"Yes, Mr. Preston?" We turned our heads at hearing Mrs. Joy's voice and followed her glare to look at the door and see Liam. He cleared his throat. "May I come in, Miss?" He asked. Mrs. Joy narrowed her eyes. "Why are you late today?" She asked. He chuckled nervously. "I actually forgot I had high school and went to my middle school." He gestured behind him. "I realized halfway though the class that I am at the wrong school." 

Mrs. Joy exhaled heavily and nodded at him to take his seat. 

The rest of the day was uneventful. The field trip was tomorrow, so we all decided to meet at lunch and discuss about transport arrangement.

"Anyone want to take a holiday trip with me? And I don't mean for a day or two." Liv asked as she joined us at our table. "Thinking about going to Bermuda Triangle and just fucking disappearing." 

The rest of the table ignored her sudden mood change. It happened from time to time. 

"So, about who is going to pick up who." Cole said. Stephan and Mia had gone home since they didn't have anymore classes today. "I and Asher are the only ones with a driving license. I mean, Liv has one too, but she doesn't have a car. So I was thinking that we we could divide into two groups of 3 people. I would pick up Sarah and Liv and-" Asher cut him off. "Actually, my house is much closer to Evie and Sarah's. You can pick up Liv and Kevin. Kevin has an early morning practice tomorrow, so you would have to pick him up from school." He said. It actually made sense since Liv's house was on his route and it was closer to the school as well. 

Cole thought about it for a second and nodded. "Yeah, that makes sense." He looked at me. "I really wanted to pick you up though." His eyes turned glossy with emotions and I had to bit back my laugh at his exaggerated acting. "I just...I have never had a real friend before." He ignored the collective hey! from beside him. I smiled at him. 

"Awww, Cole. I can be your real friend." I said and he gave me a big grin. "I have also never had a girlfriend before." 

The head smack he got was inevitable.

-

"What is the meaning of life?" Mason asked. 

I looked up from the book I was reading, tilting my head quizzically. "What brought this on suddenly? You know we don't talk philosophy in my room." 

He shrugged, then pointed at the magazine in his hand. "I was just reading out loud."

I rolled my eyes. "Keep it down. I have finals tomorrow. And if you really want to know, all evidence to date suggest its chocolate."

He chuckled. There was a knock, then dad walked in. "Dean's father called." He said, his tone annoyed. "You didn't tell me you guys were planning on going for a trip after exams?" 

I grimaced. "I was going to ask you today after dinner. We haven't finalized our plans yet. It was just a thought." I said.

I sent Mason a glare just as he opened his mouth to say something I was sure would make me want to throw my book at him, which he noticed. He smirked, but shut up.

"I won't go if you don't want me to." I said. His eyes softened. He sighed. "I would rather you tell me about these things yourself, and not put it off till the last moment." He said and I gave him an apologetic look. 

"I promise I won't."

"I have a field trip tomorrow." I said. 

Dad stopped eating and slowly looked at me. 

I wondered for a second why I kept this from him for so long, knowing he would get mad at being informed at the last moment like he usually did. But just as he nodded and went back to eating, I figured I probably wanted him to. Get mad at me. React someway. Show that he still cared. Show that whatever I do still mattered to him. 

Then I felt like hitting myself for being mean to him. 

We didn't say anything the whole time. Mom already ate and went to sleep. I went to my room after doing the dishes and checked my phone to find Asher's message informing me of the time he would pick me up at. 

I went under the covers and opened my gallery. There was a picture of me, Dean, Mason and Amber from the time we went to the holiday trip together. Another pic of mine and Mason's. Swipe. Another. Swipe. Another. Swipe. Another.

I turned the phone off and rotated to my right side. I won't cry. I won't. I won't.

I brough my hand up to my mouth in a failed attempt to stifle a sob.

I won't. 

The led above me flickered as it usually did when we had voltage issues in the locality, reminding me that I had forgotten to switch off the lights. I closed my eyes and felt wetness run down from the corner of my eyes. I willed the brightness of the room to go away but it persisted, refusing to die out, forcing me to leave the comfort of the bed. 

"Fuck you, Thomas Edison." 

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A/n: Thoughts on the chapter? I can't wait for you guys to read the field trip chapters already!