“Hazel!â€? A male voice calls from the door way. He can’t seriously have followed me, can he? Did he hear what I even said?!

I take three deep breaths and wipe away the black smudges under my eyes. I push myself away from the sink I had been gripping and walk back out to where Chris was waiting.

“Are you serious?â€? He asks quietly.

“Yes…â€? I answer in a small voice. Tears spring to my eyes again. And I thought today would be a good day?

Without another word Chris takes a step closer to me. He wipes a stray tear and then pulls me into him. I have no idea how long we stand there, him holding me, but to soon he pulls away. I look at him, the question in my eyes meeting the determination in his.

“Well, looks like first period is almost over… We’ll go back… then we are leaving. You need a day off.â€? He tells me. There is a tinge of authority in his voice that I can’t bring myself to tell him I can’t do it. I have never skipped school a day in my life.