Killing Me Softly

Six - Deja Vu

On Monday at lunch, Sydney was telling everyone what had happened just the day before. Nicole and Ivy were fanning themselves at the thought of being with Grayson and Jensen. Jordan was quiet the entire time.

“You’re lying. You guys did not go see a movie together,” Nicole said.

“I swear.”

Nicole turned in her seat to look at Jensen and Grayson. Another kid who I didn’t know nor recognize was sitting with them. I kept my head down, trying not to participate in the conversation as much as possible.

“What I would’ve given to touch them,” Nicole said.

“You act as if they’re candy,” Jordan said to Nicole.

“Yummy candy,” was her only reply.

“Grayson and Juliette got along very well,” Sydney intervened.

“I wouldn’t say that,” I replied.

“He talked more to you than he did with me or Jensen.”

“We didn’t talk that much. You weren’t even paying attention to us half the time. You were more into Jensen.”

Sydney blushed. “I did see somethings.”

“I think you’re seeing way too into it.”

“I don’t think I am. I honestly think he likes you. In a weird way.”

“Ooh! Could you imagine if he was your boyfriend,” Ivy said, batting her eyelashes at me.

“O-M-G! They would be so cute together,” Nicole joined.

“Please, stop.”

“I hope they get together. It would be adorbs,” Ivy replied.

“Oh, I know! They would be the IT couple.”

“Please. Before someone hears you,” I begged.

“Who’s going to hear us?” Nicole said looking around. She glanced over at Grayson and Jensen’s table.

She turned back to me. “Please date him for me.”

“What? That’s weird.”

“Well he obviously has some kind of soft spot for you. I tried to smile at the guy and she straight up ignored me. You can bring him around and I could stare at him,” Nicole said, excited.

“Yeah, because I want you ogling my boyfriend.”

Nicole gave me a flat look. “I’m just looking, not touching.”

I shook my head. Nicole was too much sometimes. I put all my trash on my tray, getting ready to leave. I didn’t want to continue this conversation and if I stayed, that is exactly what would happen.

“Where are you going?” Sydney asked.

“I want to go to the library.”

“Want some company?” Jordan asked.

I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. I’m going to head straight to class after that. I don’t want to make you back track.”

Jordan nodded. He pulled out his phone and ignored the girls. I couldn’t blame him. It wasn’t exactly fun listening to them fawn over the Mitchell brothers.

I threw my stuff away and headed back inside the school. I couldn’t help but think about what had happened just yesterday. Sydney was actually right about one thing: Grayson did talk to me a lot yesterday. More than he’s ever said to me in the last few weeks. I did picture Grayson and I as a couple for a brief second before I pushed the thought out of my mind.

I was sitting in AP English Lit waiting for our teacher to come in. I glanced over at Grayson, who was unfazed by the unknown woman who walked into class.

“Where’s Mrs. Alvarez?” I asked.

He shrugged and said, “I don’t know.”

The principal stepped into the classroom shortly after the final bell rang. He waited for everyone to settle in their seat before delivering the news.

Mrs. Alvarez had been in a bad car accident the night before. She would be out for the rest of the school year to recover. She had barely made it out alive and with all of her limbs.

It was dead silent.

A kid sitting a few desks away from me had dropped his pen on the floor. The clank echoed in the classroom.

I woke up in a panic. I glanced around my surroundings and recognized the familiar pastel blue walls of my room. I realized it had just been a nightmare.

I got ready the next morning with this empty feeling in my stomach. I couldn’t describe the feeling that I had but the dream definitely put me on edge. Paul yelled at me to hurry up and meet him and Elizabeth outside at the car. I quickly rushed to get my shoes on and grab my backpack. Paul would leave without me. He’s done it once before.

“Why are you so quiet?” Paul asked in the car.

I shrugged. “I’m tired.”

Paul grunted but said nothing more.

He dropped me off at school and I quickly rushed inside. It was actually cold today and I wanted the warmth of the halls.

I heard various whispers as I made my way to my locker, catching bits and pieces of conversations.

“My dad was working in the ER last night when they brought her in. He said she was terrible. She almost lost a foot.”

It sounded horrible whatever they were talking about and it made me rush to get my stuff out of my locker. I didn’t bother to look for my friends instead I went straight to my first class. I wanted to get this day over as fast as possible.

I was really excited when fourth period came around because it meant I was almost half way done with my day and lunch was next. Grayson was already in his seat and I quickly took my seat next to him.

“Hello,” I said as I slid into my seat.

“Hi.”

I grabbed out my notebook and a pencil as I waited for Mrs. Alvarez. Instead, a young woman stepped inside the classroom, laying her tote bag on Mrs. Alvarez’s desk. I glanced at Grayson who seemed unfazed by her.

“Where’s Mrs. Alvarez?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

The final bell rang to signal the start of class. A minute later, the principal walked in. I felt an eerie feeling take over. It started at the pit of my stomach and slowly spread throughout my body. Something was wrong and I had an idea of what he was going to say.

“Good morning everyone,” Principal Eckberg said. “I am very sad to say that Mrs. Alvarez has been in a very bad car accident and will be out for the rest of the school year. She is very lucky to be alive. I am sure you have all heard some stories about her and to just clear a few things up about your curiosity – she has all of her limbs and will recover in due time. I hope you all keep her in your thoughts.”

A pen dropped.

I glanced over a few desks away at the kid who dropped it. Exact same kid from my dreams.

“The f**k,” I whispered out loud without realizing.

Grayson gave me a weird look.

I raised my hand and asked if I could be excused to the bathroom.

My mind was racing. My heart was going a million miles a minute. I couldn’t comprehend what was going on. This was not déjà vu. This was something else. This was something I couldn’t even explain.

I held myself up against the row of lockers as I made my way to the bathroom. My legs began to feel like jello. Each step was harder and harder to take. My breathing was sporadic. My eyes were getting heavy.

It all faded into darkness.