Dean Ocean - Holbrook Academy by Dean Ocean

Author:Dean Ocean [Ocean, Dean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

I COULDN’T bring myself to sit at our usual table the following

morning for breakfast. I felt sick, even though my cold had mostly expired. When I took a few nibbles of my toast and left the rest of my food on my plate, Will didn’t say anything. We sat separately from Freddie and Emmett. Emmett looked over at us several times and seemed conflicted as to what was happening. He never came over.

I wanted to cry. I had never known Freddie to be so distant with me. I felt lost and confused. I went through the motions of the day, barely holding myself together. Twice during the day, Will had to walk me to my class to make sure I got there. And at the end of the day, in Professor Olsson’s class, Freddie sat three seats down the row from me.

I must have looked as bad as I felt because as I was leaving, Professor Olsson stopped me. He placed his hand on my arm and told me to wait a moment. I did as asked, taking deep breaths to keep myself calm. When the room had cleared, the professor stared at me with a deep frown creasing his brow.

“Is everything all right, Blakely?” he asked, arching one eyebrow carefully.

“Yes,” I managed. I even nodded. I couldn’t look him in the eyes, however. “If you need to talk, or need any help… you know where to find me.” He sighed and slowly slid the pencil from behind his ear and into his briefcase.

I couldn’t speak. I wanted to talk to Freddie. I wanted to know that my best mate didn’t hate me. I wanted the nagging feeling in my gut to go away. None of those were things you talked to a professor about. I talked to Professor Olsson about books, art, and poetry. Besides, what was to stop him from hanging me too, if he knew?

I hurried from the room as fast as I could manage without running. When I got out into the hall, it was empty—except for Will, who stood patiently waiting for me. Spring had arrived at Holbrook in full force, and while the weather was still cool, the sun had started shining brightly and more often. The students didn’t waste the opportunity to be a part of it.

“Why aren’t you at rugby practice?” I felt the anger in my voice and the strain from trying to fight how badly I’d wanted to cry all day. “Because you need me here.” Will didn’t seem surprised that I had snapped at him. He was casual and slouched as he leaned against the far wall.

“Will….” I wanted to kick my own shin for whimpering. “Shush, Paulie.” Will came forward and stooped to look me in the eyes. He pressed my chin up so I had to stare at his face. I noticed a tiny scar near his temple from when he’d been hurt on the pitch. “Don’t cry about it. Don’t waste those tears. He’s going to come back.

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