chapter six

Iris had hoped that the next day would be better. That she would wake up without the knot in her stomach and the exhausted feeling. She, foolishly, thought that a good night's sleep would at least make things seem a little less bleak.

She forgot that she actually needed to sleep for that to work.

And now here she stood in front of the massive and weirdly intricate gate of the school. It stood about three meters tall and looked like something out of a rich-kid boarding school movie. Or Vampire Academy. Even the gate looked better than she did at this moment; no matter how tacky it actually was. Her hair was pulled into a hasty, messy bun and there was definitely nothing artsy about it. The school uniform felt kind of skew and the blue bags under her eyes stood out oh-so-beautifully against her pale skin.

Overall, an accurate representation of a high school student. Death, as well, if you wanted to get deep.

“Iris!" a voice shouted and snapped her out of her melodramatic thoughts.

Victoria came jogging towards her. Feeling a little petty, Iris couldn't help but think of the Mary Poppins quote about being practically perfect in every way. Honestly, though, why did she look like she got eight hours of sleep? They had the same classes and assignments, but no one would be able to tell by looking at them. Iris looked like her worksheets ran her over and left her to die.

“Good morning," she said, smiling as if it really was a good morning. Iris didn't know what was so good about it.

“Hey!" Iris greeted in return. Her smile came out as more of a grimace, but credits can be given for trying, right?

Victoria saw Iris's bad mood and rushed to ask, "Everything ok? You look pooped.”

Iris couldn't help but giggle at the words that came from her friend's mouth. It was a bit childish, but it was funny hearing someone so poised say something like 'pooped'. She took a deep breath and sighed, trying to release the tension in her shoulders.

She smiled again, this actually resembling one and said, "I'm fine. Just a little run down after completing the history essay and –“

“What history essay?”

Hell better be freezing over.

Please let hell have frozen over.

In the last few weeks of getting to know her swoon-worthy friend, Iris was well aware that Victoria did not slack, never missed a deadline, and never, ever forgot about homework.

Victoria saw Iris freeze at the question. "Where did you hear about this essay? Professor Portendorfer never mentioned it.”

“Melissa Cohen told me about it.”

Iris felt like an idiot. Melissa Cohen was rumoured to be the nicest girl at school: she always volunteered at the 'fundraising' event at the school, tutored primary school kids, and helped people up when they tripped. She was a real it-girl, the inspiration for Wattpad novels' leading ladies. She never bullied Iris, never called her something she thought was clever and hurtful. Then again, she never stopped the harassment, even laughed along every time Stephanie Nicholson sought her out.

Iris clenched out a frustrated groan. "Is this what people here consider a joke? I've been burning myself out trying to complete an essay that I was told counted 50% of our marks, doing my actual school work, and working a part-time job!” She couldn't help but scoff. “What does it matter? Not like you–”

Not like you would understand.

While the words went unsaid, both girls heard them loud and clear.

Iris cleared her throat, before inhaling and exhaling deeply. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take my anger out on you. It's not like it's your fault.”

“Hey," Victoria tried to console her, placing her hand on Iris's shoulder. "If I were in your shoes, I would probably react the same way.”

Iris tried to smile at Victoria's attempt at trying to make her feel better. It was hard to imagine Victoria – calm, poised, and always-put-together-Victoria – seething and wild-eyed with anger. She was the only person in this world to have their life together.

“Besides," Victoria continued. "Look at it this way, if we do have a history essay to do later this year, you will be ahead of the class." She glanced down at her diamond decorated watch. "The first bell is about to ring. We might as well go.”

Checking her watch, Iris saw that Victoria was right. She briefly contemplated leaving. Who would notice? Victoria was the only friend she had and also the only one who knew she was here and it wasn’t like she would tell.

She briefly imagined it. Just turning around and walking off campus through the main gates. Iris knew the security guard wasn’t going to stop her. She didn’t even need to leave campus. The library was always the first door to be opened and the last to be closed. She could spend her day just reading and draining the school’s free Wi-Fi on pirated movies on illegal sires and YouTube. Maybe, finally, update her cell phone’s apps.

Then Iris remembered the paper.

She had spent hours, days, on it. She had been researching for three weeks, scrapping every barrel clean just to put it together. Drained every internet café she knew of its electric sources and hours. Maybe it wouldn’t mean much. Maybe it would. Who knew?

But Iris would submit.

If the professor liked it enough, he might as well give her some extra credit.

Iris would not let these petty people get the best of her, refused to play their games. No matter how big the urge to grab them the hair gets, Iris would be the better person. As her mother taught her to be. Only because her mother taught her to be.

“Iris?” Victoria said. She had moved from next to Iris and was standing on the stairs of the entrance of the school building. “Is everything oka? Are you coming?”

"It's not like I have much of a choice, do I? The entire school would be lost without me.” Iris forced a laugh. “I have a massive essay to submit.”