Page 125 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

Wednesday Morning

Nothing was okay. Not one bloody thing.

Lilly was in charge of the program. Rutton was actively looking for her replacement. And I was in the staffroom, sitting at my desk with my forehead pressed against the cold, hard wood.

Students still snickered as I walked by in the hallways, Kira was still avoiding me, and I missed Theo.

I missed him so much it hurt. Actual physical pain, right in the center of my chest.

If this was what being in love felt like, it was horrible, and I didn’t want it.

I wanted out. I wanted to make it stop.

“Hey.” Lilly’s soft voice came a moment before she put her hand on my shoulder. “You all right?”

I lifted my head and swatted at her hand. “Stop being so nice to me.”

She gave me a small smile. “It’s going to be fine. The students will forget about it in a few weeks.”

“But Kira won’t,” I grumbled.

Kira and Lilly were the only ones who mattered here. And if being with Theo hurt them, then I had to keep doing what I was doing. Block Theo’s texts, ignore his calls, delete his voicemails.

Even though it killed me, there was nothing else I could do.

“She won’t talk to me either,” Lilly admitted.

I straightened in my chair and let out a breath. “Is she doing okay, though? In class?”

Lilly gave me a hesitant grimace. “Yes and no. She keeps her head down, does her work, and ignores everyone, but people are still leaving notes in her locker.”

I ground my teeth. “How do I make them stop?”

“I don’t think you can. It has to run its course.”

My stomach grumbled, and Lilly’s gaze swept over me. “Did you eat breakfast?”

I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”

“When was the last time you ate?”

I lifted a shoulder.

“Mia, you need to eat.” Lilly bent at the waist and peered into my face. “Is that concealer?”

I rolled my chair back and stood. “I use it all the time.”

“Not like that. And it isn’t covering those bags–”

“Lilly,” I groaned. “I’m fine.”

She put her hands on her hips. “No, you’re not. Why don’t you just talk to him?”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

I turned around, admitting, “Because it hurts too much.”