Monday Morning – Blackwell Academy
I took a deep breath as I stood in front of the school gates.
The wind felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just my nerves again.
My palms were sweaty, even though I'd wiped them on my pants several times. My bag was heavier than it should've been. Or maybe that was just me too.
After everything that happened last week….Liam's situation, the hospital, the hearing, the sex, the confession, I thought this would feel easier.
But, it didn't.
I still expected to walk in and feel eyes on me.
Still expected someone to whisper,
"That's the boy who pushed Liam off the roof."
Still expected to see the shame in people's faces when they looked at me. Or worse, fear.
I took one step in.
Then another.
The hallway buzzed with voices, lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking on the tiles. And then…
"Hey Ash! Welcome to school!"
A girl smiled and waved before passing with her friend, both of them giggling.
Wait, what?
