Glass Hearts - Chapter Three

Instructions

Soran 11:27 AM - Thursday, November 13 3 Hours Earlier Guys, I have no idea what to do. I'm cooked. They found my stash. My secret stash. And now they're calling the Kardens'. What the f(nah)k do I do. I shouldn't have gotten so comfortable around them. I'm going back to the shelter. F(nah)k. I'm so stupid. God, at least all my main stuff is still packed. It'll make packing easier since there's practically nothing left to pack. At this point what if I just run? I'm tired of this stupid @$$ foster system. F(nah)k it. If it goes south, which it most likely will, I'm leaving. Mrs. Karden walked in, her face drained of her usual happiness and instead replaced with something I couldn't name. Yeah, this isn't gonna go well. Do I have anywhere to go after this? Aoki's got his hands full, Asahi's parents don't like me, neither do Azuki's... So that leaves---no one. Great. "Alright. Thank you for coming Mrs. Karden. We have found something in Soran's locker earlier. I need you to understand that we have a strict no smoking policy here," the principal began, sitting across from us at his desk. "What exactly did you find?" she replied, purse in her lap. "Weed. And a lighter." I can feel the silence bearing down on me, almost like a physical weight. Yeah... there's no escaping whatever's gonna happen after this. "I need you to understand that if this continues to happen Soran's going to be expelled," the principal's face was grim, almost like he was wishing death upon me just by speaking. "Soran." Mrs. Karden began, finally looking over at me. I can't tell if she's angry or sad or disappointed or whatever. But she isn't happy. "Why didn't you tell me you were struggling?" Her voice is soft, almost caring, as well as her expression shifting to something softer. I'd answer, but my throat feels like it's closed up. My mouth is dry and my voice box can't speak. My leg's bouncing against the floor, the only sound besides breathing in the room. I can't blame Aoki for it. He was just trying to help. It's not like he wanted me to end up like this. But somehow, I can't help but resent him for introducing me to it.... "I-" my voice cracks, sounding as if I'm about to start crying. "I'm not struggling..." It's a bull s(nah)t lie, but I can't help it. I can't tell them. And I was finally getting used to them as well... Jeez, I just HAD to go and f(nah)k my life up, didn't I? "Soran. Don't you lie to me young man," her voice is stern, but not in a rude way, just like she's concerned. I don't know what to say. They're all staring at me, judging me. I can't do it. I can't- I can't- I- And yet, the next thing I know I'm hyperventilating on the spot. God, I must look so stupid, huh? I can't get her voice out of my head. *"You look so handsome, sweetie. You're gonna be mama's boy forever, yeah?"* No. Not here. Please. F(nah)k. I can't do it in front of people. No. Please no. Tears prickle at my eyes, and s(nah)t, I can't do it. "Just give me a minute..." I murmur out, shakily standing and walking out of the room without any other words. I don't know how long I'm walking for, but I eventually stagger into a bathroom, locking myself in a stall. Thankfully it's the men's bathroom. I wouldn't survive if it was the women's. I plop down onto the toilet, head held in my hands as my breathing becomes even more uneven. I can feel her hands all over again. Touching places they shouldn't. I don't even know why it's such a big deal to me, it's not like she touched my d1hc|< or anything, just my upper thighs. But still. It feels so wrong. The tears roll down my cheeks, but I can't really feel them with the overwhelming pounding in my head and her voice practically screaming in my ears again. *"Aww, such a handsome boy! You're gonna be such a little heart breaker when you're older, I just know it."* Stop. No. And then I hear footsteps. Either the principal or Mrs. Karden came to check on me, or someone came to take a p1$$. Let's hope it's the second one. My already shallow breath catches in my throat as the footsteps enter the bathroom. Moments later I hear the sink running. So someone just needed to p1$$. Thank God. Then the footsteps stop. They get closer to me. My breathing resumes as my lungs can't take it anymore. "Are you alright in there...?" a voice calls out. But then it finally registers in my brain---Logan Aquile. The quarterback. The heartthrob. He's really asking if I'm okay. Either I'm an idiot, or it's desperation for an anchor, but my cheeks heat up slightly and her voice stops momentarily. "Hey, do I need to go get someone? Answer me, alright?" he repeats, walking a bit closer to the stall. I can't take it. I unlock the stall and stagger forward. I probably look like s(nah)t, but I can't help it. His voice is the only thing keeping me calm right now.