#daysdailies

Just as I entered the gym, I noticed Angela already sitting with a small group in an oval, discussing their feelings. I sat directly across from her.

“And you are?” asked some strange man.

“Where’s Ms. Whitt? I’m Naomi. Joy’s best friend.”

I could feel Angela’s stares growing more intense; whatever I could do to piss her off.

“The school board felt Ms. Whitt was too invested in the situation with you kids, so they appointed me to help you guys through the grieving process. My name is Mr. Sanchez.”

It really didn’t matter. I sat down and listened to all the people who were also missing Joy. Finally, the counter clockwise rotation had reached Angela when I decided to cut her off.

“Joy and I were going through a rough patch when she passed two weeks ago. But I knew her better than anyone, she didn’t deserve to die.”

“Often the premature nature of death leaves us feeling like we could do more, but I’m sure you were the best friend you could be Naomi.” assured Mr. Sanchez.

“I do, Joy was falling in with the wrong crowd. I was tying to let her find herself and look where it got her..”

“Are saying it was Joy’s new friendships that caused this? That’s a huge accusation Naomi.”

“Not when it’s true,” I rebutted.

“I think that’s enough for today, lets meet again Wednesday, same time.

It seemed like 7th period was never ending, and i would be trapped in class forever.  I don’t know what the sudden rush was to leave school.  Yea, i do.  It was Noami.  She was asking a lot of questions, sooner than I could think of lies to answer them.  I didn’t expect anyone to miss Angela, at least not this soon.

My biology teacher was ranting on and on bout mitosis, something I knew nothing about.  Maybe I shouldn’t skip this class as much. The principal came over the loud speaker requesting me to come straight to his office, it was like a God send.  I gathered my things and darted out of class.  No Mr. Dubois, I will not get the notes from my lab partner.

I took my time walking down the hall, I passed by Angela’s locker.  My curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to stop.  Her combination wasn’t hard to figure out:

Left, 1. Right, 29. Left, 4.

It was a mix between our birthdays, she really had no other friends.

Inside, were some text books, a sweater, and what looked like a diary.  This’ll make for a good read later.  As i grabbed the book a piece of paper fell from her locker.  It was a letter. From Ray.  Was this George’s friend Ray? 

I ran through my mental roladex.  There was no one in our class named Ray, I have to further investigate.

I got to the principal’s office 20 minutes later, he seemed anxious to speak with me.  My heart dropped into my lower intestine.  I had no idea what this could possible be about…

"Angela, I’m sorry for your recent loss.  Joy was sweet girl, lots of your classmates feel your pain," said Principal Morris.

"Thanks sir."  I tried to keep everything as brief as I could.

"With that said I think you should join our guidance counselour for some grief conseling."

"I think I’ll pass sir."

"No, you don’t seem to understand.  This isn’t an option.  It is mandatory that the school board sends students to counseling when they suffer a tremendous loss."

Where was the school board when I lost my mother??

"And when exactly does this counseling start?" I asked.

"Today, 3:45.  Right after school."

Just great, another person who I had to lie to…

I left the principal’s office feeling eerie.  I knew no good could come of these meetings.  Just as I turned the corner I ran into Naomi.  And with a smug look on her face, she said:

"See you in counseling later…"