Nobody POV:
The girls walk into their homeroom class and everyone is staring at Marisa. She sits down at her desk and turns to Katie looking nervous. Just then, the bell rings startling them. The teacher then walks in and takes roll and notices Marisa is back from the hospital.
Mr. Williams POV:
"Marisa, it's good to see you back at school. How do you feel?" I say looking at her.
"H-hi, I feel good but why is everyone staring at me like I'm a new student?" She replies.
"Well, because they haven't seen you in a long time. I can have them stop if it's bothering you." I said to her.
"C-can you maybe do that please? It makes me very anxious. No offense to anyone though." She says slightly smiling.
"Sure. Class please get to work on anything you need to do for other classes or just relax. Also, please stop staring at Marisa. It can make people feel anxious if they have many people staring at them. I'd also appreciate it." I announce to the class.
Just then, they all get to work and I go start grading papers for my other classes. A half hour later, I hear Katie talking in a loud tone to a couple students behind her and Marisa.
"Hey, if you have something rude to say about Marisa or rumors, how about you quit whispering behind her back and ask her? It's not very nice and considerate if you just assume things. Just be civil and ask if you have any questions." Katie says.
"No, Katie's right Marisa. We were being rude. I'm sorry." Elizabeth says.
"Yeah, me too. I'm also sorry for being rude and disrespectful." Lily agrees.
"Thank you for apologizing, girls. It means a lot to me." I say.
I stand there and smile as the class gets quiet again.
Marisa POV:
"Hey," I lean over and say to Katie. "You didn't have to do that. I could have just ignored them."
Katie smiles and says, "Girl, you are my best friend. I would do anything for you. Plus, just because they are popular, doesn't mean they can be rude to us less popular kids. It ain't right."
I smile back and say, "Thanks girly. I don't know what I would do without a friend like you. You are truly awesome."
Just then the bell rings telling us to pack up and go to our next class. I pack up my things and take them to my English class. I stand outside the door and freeze, fearing what happened in Homeroom, will happen again in English.
Katie then comes up behind me. She stands there smiling and then suddenly goes to a concerned look.
"You okay, Girly? Do you need to go to the nurse again?" She asks.
"No, I-I'm okay. I'm just afraid that people will start talking behind my back again." I say to her.
"And if they do, I will stand up to them like I did in homeroom. I ain't afraid to stand up for my best friend. But we really should get inside and settle in for the hour." She says, grabbing my arm and leading me in slowly.
We walk in and just as I step foot in the room, people look in my direction and start whispering to each other.
"Look everyone, I know Marisa's back but you don't need to assume things and whisper to each other. She is just like us so please, quit whispering to each other and treat her like a normal person. If you have any questions, feel free to ask her." Katie announces to the class.
Mrs. Mandy walks over and pulls me aside to step out of the room for a second. I glance over to Katie in fear and she nods her head. I walk out with Mrs. Mandy to the hallway right before the bell rings.
"Hey Marisa, are you okay?" She says concerned.
"Y-yeah. It's just so far today, I've been getting weird looks and people have been talking behind my back so Katie has been a great friend and standing up for me. I don't mean to cause trouble-"
"Hunny, it's okay. You aren't causing any trouble. I'm just wondering if you are okay. Don't be scared. If you have any issues, feel free to come to me and I will address them." She interrupts me.
"O-okay, Mrs. Mandy. Thank you. I appreciate it." I say in reply to her.
"Of course, Hun. Let's get back to class and learn some things about your family." She says, leading me back in the classroom.
She writes the list of students who will be presenting today on the board. To my surprise, I'm the first up. I walk up to her to see if I can go tomorrow.
"Mrs. Mandy, May I speak with you for a moment?" I say with my hand raised.
"Sure, step up to my desk." She says finishing the list.
"I-I forgot about my essay being due this week. I was too caught up in the hospital. Is there any way I can present tomorrow?" I say nervously.
"Oh, Hun, that's okay. You can present when you are ready. I will put you down for the rest of the week at the bottom and when you are ready, come into class early and tell me so we can get you going." She says with an understanding tone.
"Thank you, Mrs. Mandy. I really appreciate it." I say with a smile.
I head back to class with Mrs. Mandy following behind me. I sit at my desk and Katie is then called up to present her Essay to the class.
"Hi everyone! For those who don't know, my name is Katie Charleston. Today, I will be sharing my essay with you about my family. I began in a small town called Andosa. My family and I lived there for the whole 10 years of my life. I then moved here to Ensdale. Since then, I've lived with my mom and her new husband. My biological dad passed away when I was 11. It's been a hard few years without him. I find myself constantly thinking about him. Sometimes, my therapy to help me grieve, doesn't help much. I am still able to push forward though with the help of my friend, Marisa. She has helped me through so much and I couldn't have a better best friend. Yeah, we may have met less than a month ago, but I know I can relate to her. She is an amazing friend." She Pauses. "Since her and I met, we've been the best of friends and I wouldn't trade this friendship for the world." She says. "I would also like to say that I am very thankful that I was there to help her when she needed me the most. She may just be my new best friend, but I feel like I've known her forever…" She then walks up to my desk and grabs me by the hand. She stops when we get to the front of the classroom and says, "I just want to take this time really quick and thank you for being the most amazing friend. Thank you and don't forget we are in this together. I love you girly"
A few minutes later, she finishes. Nobody had questions so Katie was dismissed to go sit down. Mrs. Mandy then calls up the next student to present. We finish up with the presentations for the day and we all have time to spare. I turn to Katie and go to ask her a question when she suddenly presses her hand on my cheek.
"W-what are you doing Katie?" I say nervously.
"Just shut up and listen to me. Your mother told me what you've been too scared to do. I am afraid to admit it too but yes, I do like you. I have since we met. But I don't want to ruin what we have now. I'm sorry." She says with a faint smile and an upset glimmer in her eyes.
Before the bell rings I start to run to the bathroom from embarrassment and rejection. Katie starts to run after me and manages to catch up, grabbing my arm to stop me.
"Mari, what's wrong?" She says softly, putting my face up to match hers.
Not thinking of what time it is and when the bell rings, I kiss her and say "I don't care if I get hurt, I love you Katie Charleston. I have since we met. I want to be with you."
Just then the bell rings. She's too caught up in the moment and kisses me back without hesitation.
"I love you too Marisa. Do you want to give this a try?" She says smiling.
"Wait, really?" I say.
"Yes really. I really and truly do love you. Just promise me one thing." She says.
"Sure! What is it, love?" I say smiling.
"Promise that if you start to lose feelings you'll tell me. And if you don't want to do this anymore, you'll tell me too?" She says, looking at me.
"Yes my love, I promise you I will do those things for you. But can you promise the same to me?" I say looking at her smile.
"Of course I will. Are you 100% sure you want to try being with me? You don't have to if you don't feel okay right now." She replies to my inquiry.
Yes, I am 110% sure. I really do like you and want to be with you." I say.
Just then, the minute warning bell rings to go to class. Katie and I walk to P.E. and we go to get dressed. We go have a seat in the gym as we wait for Coach Suco.
"Hey class! Welcome back Marisa! She has been gone for a while due to a head injury. Bare with her class. Take it easy if you need Mari." She says.
"Thanks Coach, but I feel great and I will be okay. What did I miss?" I say.
"Just the mile and the Pacer test for Softball. That's it. By the way, if you are up to it, you are the first batter in our final game against Andosa. You up for it?" She says, looking at me.
"Yeah Coach! I feel great! Just one question, when, where and what time is the game?" I say.
"Tomorrow, here. It's at 1:30pm. Be sure to have your Eval for the athletic coach." Coach says.
"Oh I already turned it in. Glad I am back." I say.
The coach explains what we are going to do in P.E. and I get really excited when she announces we are having a basketball tournament for the class.
We leave P.E. an hour later and I head to lunch with Katie by my side. The cafeteria is not as packed as it normally is. We get our trays and sit down at our normal table and start to eat.
Just then, a few kids with a poster board walk up and start to open it.
"Will you be mine, Katie?" It reads.
Katie turns around and to her surprise, I am standing there with flowers and her favorite stuffed animal.
"Katie, I know we have had our moments and I know we already made this official for us but your mom and mine knew what I had planned. I wanted to do this before I passed out and was in the hospital but here it is now. I smile and hold out some flowers and smiling. "Katie, I love you so much and I really want to be with you. You don't have to have an answer yet, but will you be my girlfriend?"
"I- I don't know what to say." She says nervously.
Her mom then comes around from behind the sign and says "Honey, just follow your heart. We want you to be happy. You look like you really like this girl. I support you both."
"Thanks mom. She says hugging her. "Mari, I didn't know what to say before but I've figured it out now. Yes, I will be your girlfriend."
Katie smiles and hugs Marisa. They then start to both get emotional and end up shedding a few tears.
The whole cafeteria starts to clap and shout, "Go Katie and Mari."
They both finish hugging and finish lunch.
After lunch, they head to their next classes. Mari drops Katie off at her ag class and she heads to art.
"Here you go my love. I'm so glad that I was able to finally come clean with my feelings. I really do love you." She says, placing a kiss on her cheek.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
All the classes are about to transition to their next period when the loud speaker comes on.
"Attention students, This is an intruder drill! Locks, Lights, Out of sight protocol is now in motion. Please go to the nearest classroom and do not leave!" I repeat, This is an intruder drill! Locks, Lights, Out of sight protocol is now in motion. Please go to the nearest classroom and do not leave!" The principal says over the loudspeaker."
"Mari? Mari, where are you?" I say in a panic.
"Babe, turn around. I'm right behind you." She says, reaching for my hand.
I grab her hand and pull her close to me, leading her to Mr. Copeland's classroom.
"I'm so glad you didn't go any further. I almost lost my mind." I look at her and say, almost in tears.
"Baby, it's okay. It's just a drill. Nothing serious. I promise. I'm not going anywhere my love." She grabs my cheek and says to me.
30 Minutes later, the principal gets back on the loud speaker and says, "Great job students and staff! The drill was successful. You may now resume the normal passing period to your classes."
We head to our seats in Mr. Copeland's classroom and begin Psychology.
Marisa POV:
I'm walking out to my mom's beat up Nissan Altima. The look of the red paint chipping away makes me more embarrassed with what I deal with financially.
"Mari!" I hear a familiar female voice yell. "Wait up, Love!"
I turn around and she runs up and jumps on me, leaching on for dear life.
"Wow, Hi My Love. Someone is excited to see me." I smile and say playfully.
As I let her down, I hear my mom say out the window, "Hi my little girl! How was school? Oh, Hey Katie!"
"Hey there, Mrs. Charleston. How's your day?" I hear my beautiful girlfriend say.
"It's been good. How about yours?" She says, slowly drifting her head down.
I look down in shock realizing why. Katie has interlocked our hands together and my face immediately turns red.
"What's the matter baby?" My mom says, looking at me.
"N-nothing mom." I say shyly.
"My day was great, Mrs Charleston." Katie says, as she pulls us closer together. "I had an amazing day with this amazing girl."
"Let's get home Mari." My mom says from the car.
"Okay, Mom. Let me see if Katie needs a ride" I say looking into my girlfriend's eyes.
"Yeah, I actually came to see if you could take me home. My mom got stuck at work and Phil is stuck in traffic too." She says smiling.
"Okay, let's get going then." Mom says, starting the car.
We get her home and I start to feel sad but I know I'm happy with her. Not knowing what these emotions mean, I ask my mom if it's normal to feel this way.
"Yes it is, Hunny. It's just separation anxiety. When you really like someone, it tends to happen. I felt like this with your dad." She replies.
"Can we see if she can spend the night? I really miss her." I say with my head down on my lock screen.
"Of course, Hun." She says dialing Katie's mom.
After what feels like forever, they finally get done talking.
"She's on her way over. Seems like she missed you too." Mom says smiling.
Katie POV:
"Bye Mom. Thanks!" I say waving at my Mom as she drives away.
I see my girlfriend running up to me. I catch her in my arms and without hesitation, I pull her in for a kiss. I hear the door open behind me and look up to see her mother standing there. I chuckle and look at her in shock.
"H-hey, Mrs. Charleston. How are you?" I say shyly.
She smiles and shakes her head as she replies. "I'm great. How about you, Katie?"
I smile and stand next to Marisa, gently taking her hand in mine. "I'm much better. I got this amazing girl to spend the night with. Thank you for letting me stay the night. I promise we will behave. Anyway, shall we get inside? It's late."
We all walk inside and settle into the living room. I sit on the couch next to Marisa and her mother. We watch TV and talk for a few hours as the night passes.
After what seems to be forever, we all finally settle into our respective rooms. Marisa and I go into her room and settle in the bed. We lay there and talk as the night goes on. Moments pass and I yawn, feeling tired as I lay in her arms. I smile and look at her, seeing her eyes full of love.
"Mari, are you ready for bed? I'm tired." I say as I continue to look at her.
"Sure, let's rest, Amor. Good night, My Princess." She says as she pulls me closer to her.
The night passes as we rest, feeling safe and content as we lay together. Her arms wrap around me at some point in the night, pulling me closer to her as we sleep next to each other.