"I'm sorry, who are you?"
Stunned!
There was no other word to describe the bubbling feeling gnawing at the back of her mind.
Was this a joke?
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. After tormenting her with his weird antics, he had the gall to pretend he didn't know who she was? He was really going to act like he didn't speak to her the previous day by the edge of that peaceful river.
"What are you doing?" Samantha asked. A hint of exasperation clinging to her voice.
"I could ask you the exact same question. I'm not the one who cornered an innocent student and stopped them from eating lunch, " Ron replied, matter of factly .
Samantha's jaw clenched.
'Guess he's still a smarthmouth. It's good to know that hasn't changed'
"Look, I don't know what sort of twisted game you're playing here, but I'm warning you. Either explain all the crazy garbage you were babbling about yesterday or, at the very least, stop with this pathetic trick that you're playing. We're both too old for this."
Samantha could feel a migraine for the nth time that week. She was starting to think she just wasn't cut out for a life of peace.
"Okay, weird. First of all, I really don't know who the heck you are blondie, and you threatening me isn't exactly reassuring that were amicable acquaintances. I suggest you back off before I actually lose my patience and decide not to tolerate you any longer."
Ron bit back. His voice was sharp and piercing.
Samantha searched his eyes. Searched for a sign that he was playing tricks yet again.
Nothing.
Not a flicker of recognition, no betrayed disposition of pretence.
He was telling the truth!
Samantha hastily released his collar that she had been holding. Her mind now clouded in doubt, and immense embarrassment
She wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and perish!
"Sorry. You seemed really familiar. I must have mistaken you for someone else. Sorry about your collar. "
Samantha dropped her head low and walked away speedily. She had to get out of there.
She could feel herself going crazy.
Samantha ran into the female restrooms and immediately rushed to the sink, dousing the heat on her face in cold water.
She was confused. Had her mind really been playing tricks on her?
She was angry as well, because if it really was her mind against her, why was it being so cruel?
Most importantly...
Samantha was scared.
This was unlike anything she had experienced before.
Was she actually losing her sanity?
The thought made bile rise up in her throat, and without thinking, she rushed towards an empty stall to empty the contents of her overwhelmed stomach.
She heaved into the toilet bowl, tears pricking at her eyes.
She had to get home!
She couldn't stay here anymore.
Stepping out of the restroom, Samantha felt tense. Like everyone in the hallway knew what had happened in there, like they were all passing silent judgement; mocking her.
The air felt thick. Suddenly, she could feel her throat closing up.
She couldn't breathe!
Her vision blurred, and her steps swayed.
'No, no, no!. At least let me get home'
She silently pleaded in her mind.
She couldn't afford to break down.
Not here. Not now.
She almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation.
She was losing her mind because she wasn't sure if she was losing her mind.
The irony of it all was almost unsettling.
A few more steps, and Samantha knew she wouldn't make it to the school doors.
Her gait was slouched, her body felt like lead, and fresh tears replaced the old ones she blinked away every 3 seconds.
She paused. Grasping on to a nearby locker for support.
She crouched down with her hands tangled in her hair, slowly unravelling and giving in to her panic.
Guttural sobs fought their way to her mouth, but she held them down.
By now, she could barely see. She was blinded by her own tears.
She didn't even know where she was.
"-ly, slowly. Breathe. You're okay. "
The voice was soft. Almost silent, but Samantha heard it.
She raised her head and fixed her blurry gaze in the shadowed figure in front of her, trying to make out who it was....
Samantha tried to focus. To do what the voice was asking of her.
It shouldn't have been that hard to just breathe.
But it was!
Samantha could feel the dizziness taking over from the lack of adequate oxygen.
She tried to calm down. She tried, but nothing was working.
She was completely seated on the floor now, oblivious to the concerned stares of her curious schoolmates.
Her body shook. Her breath trembled.
She felt like she something was ripping the life right out of her soul, and she couldn't take the pain.
She tried to speak, pushing her hands out to hold onto the blurry figure in front of her.
Her small fingers managed to grip the short sleeve of her unnamed companion, and she felt slightly more secure.
She felt a little better.
Then her eyes rolled back, and she fell limp.