Last Year of Seventeen

I have missed my first class and was already contemplating on missing the next. Staying home is not an option because

e an apolo

was dialing August and then hearing her voice. But what I said for t

Front Desk this time and not stacking books like always. She looked up when I entered and smiled. I tried to read if her sm

arms. I hadn't realized I've been dragging my body quite literally on the

o when I called her. I felt my face flush, and knew I was completely red. I groaned and kept my head down as I walked behind the counter, pulled a chair on the nearby ta

ng and turning pages and sometimes would even whisper a

Busy with her notes. It felt like a long sleep but when I check

ed, "Just because we're fake dating doesn't mean you should be

re just as hungover as I was but I answered her as best as I can,

er as she picked up her bag, took out a lunch box and a stainless flask and prepared them on the space beside her desk. She laid out a banana and an egg sandwic

ndwich and went back to

f soup which was still warm and even more gently sipped it. I felt like everything I would eat would further upset my already stirring stomach. But the soup calmed it down and slowl

ate. So I asked August, "Did y

latter yourself Hughes. That's just my usual lunch. But s

ed when I'm suffering from really bad hangovers. But I gave August the benefit of the doub

u also just walk around with aspirin in your pocket?" I commented after taking the med

she was such a slow eater. Even during our first date at the theme park. She re

aused but a sly, teasing smile slowly crept to her face. "Somebod

k over the comfort of my arms. "I'm sorry." I mumbled. This was too embarrassing even for me. I have never drunk texted

he's enjoying this. The te

muffled by my blazer. I hope she heard it anyway because

creating rumors to spread. August finished logging the book within the system and scanning the student's ID but she stayed a bit more and just looked at us. Probably still fabricating a story that wou

She stopped writing and finally turned to me. "Except for the part where you kept saying how you don't know who Henry is. I could've sworn I hea

look like for August now. I don't thin

with how you are reacting right now." She still

head once again hidden in shame. "And you really

nd I heard her nibble

rd her shake her palms to dust off the crumbs. Slowly I raised my head and att

ng else

ly don't

nt and said, "Apart from your existential crisis, I don't think you said anything more." She starte

ht as well tell her more about it. "I just felt really overwhelmed last night. With all of these versions of me. In my

had to create another one that his father would like. A copy of the golden boy he lost. But a copy could only go so far before it becomes a disappointment. I needed to be the 'Henry' that loves his depressed, withdrawn mother. But even that wasn't enough to make h

ed to gather her things. "There's no need to rush. Plus your prefrontal cortex isn't fully developed until you are twenty-five." Sh

s your way of maki

e. It's working right? Also, isn't tha

comforted me. I knew that already. It wasn't her poor attempt at a joke either. Or the egg san

worry, I won't tell a soul. We should get goi

ckly. I didn't know why I stopped her though. So I racked my brain for anything o

ll be." I blurted, silently patting my

ugh. "Who said you'll get

"I think that's only fair. You

llowed her out, still stunned th