she wasn't at school the following day. 

 had she intentionally skipped because of me?

 i swallowed my doubts and pushed back my damp hair with my clammy palms.

 did i do something to offend her?

  "i'm sorry."

.  .  .

 "because i mess everything up."

  why did she say that to me? 

did she really think that she could scare me away?

  mr. cardell slapped his hand on my desk, jolting me from my dreamlike state.

  "pay attention cole," he hissed as his hand slid off my desk.

 i gave him a curt nod as he backed away to the front of the room.

 i crossed my arms on my table and placed my head on them. 

my head was drowning with thoughts that were trying to escape. 

 the only way to save myself was to save her.

cover by spiritmist23820