i decided to stay at my dads for a few weeks to let everything calm down. mae and i have been hanging out every second of the day. she also came up with this brilliant plan where i would follow her at school to see her life at olympia high, so i did.

"everyone's staring at me." i look around. it's way nicer than my school. "they just know you're new." mae says. some guy walks towards us and mae walks up to him. they kiss and i get caught off guard.

"mari this is my boyfriend, ryan. ryan this is mari. she's todays temporary guest." i smile and wave. "nice to meet you mari. would you like a tour?" he steps back and goes with mae. "i'm going to give her one right now."

"this school feels very welcoming." i try to not look new. i don't like the attention. "that's basically what we're all about. making people feel welcome." i look around. "i'm getting cult vibes." i joke even though i'm serious. they both just laugh.

i followed mae to every one of her classes and sat with her and her friends at lunch. everyone was pretty amazing. they didn't know who i was or what i've done. i told mae and she didn't judge me not one bit although i would've been fine with her calling me a horrible person. i sure felt like one. she invited me to go get frozen yogurt after school but i lied and told her my dad and i had plans.

"bear, you know i love you but you can't just sit here and beat yourself up. you say you're not but i know you are." my dad pauses the tv. "you think i want to? i'm constantly being reminded of what i've done. in my mind everyone is calling me names, i can't go one second without feeling guilty. i just wish i could redo everything." i stare at the fireplace below the tv.

"exactly. it's all in your head. come over here, relax, and watch home alone with me." my dad opens his arms. i force myself to smile and i sit with my dad as we watch the movie.

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