Searching for Right

Friday morning, Lauren and Jayda walked into Sterling’s classroom to find a gracefully aging woman sitting at his desk. They looked at each other knowingly and took their usual seats. By the time the late bell rang most of the students had entered the classroom.

Immediately, the woman stood and introduced herself. “Good morning, students. My name is Mrs. Jefferson and I will be your instructor for the remainder of the year.”

At her statement, students began to whisper in dissatisfaction. Lauren refused to look at anyone, knowing that they would only see her and know she was to blame for Sterling’s termination.

“Okay,” Mrs. Jefferson interrupted the class’s chatter. “Let’s get right into today’s lesson. We’re going to go over chapter twenty-six. Please take notes because there will be a quiz tomorrow.”

The class showed their displeasure by groaning and moaning.

Mrs. Saunders handed last week’s tests back to her students. She smiled when she reached Brenda’s desk.

She handed Brenda her test and smiled. “Welcome back, Ms. Killian.”

Brenda was nearly jumping out of her seat in joy when she saw the big red 120 at the top of her paper. Every one of her answers had a small red check next to it. She had even gotten the extra credit questions correct. Thank you, God!

Brenda became baffled. Did I just thank God for something? She knew that Danielle and Jayda had been having major effects on her lately. Brenda didn’t know if they were intentionally planting the seed into her soul, but they were. Ever since returning from church with their respective male friends, Jayda and Danielle had talked about their salvation to no end. They had intrigued Brenda with their talk of peace and forgiveness. This morning, when Jayda had told Brenda that she’d settled the tension that had been between her and her father, Brenda knew Jayda had been changed. In the past, Jayda wouldn’t so easily let something like what her father did roll off of her shoulders. But now, she seemed to have no animosity toward him.

“Maybe you guys are on to something,” Brenda had told Jayda this morning as they walked off toward their separate classes. She had seen the smile form on Jayda’s lips just before they departed. She wasn’t sure what had changed her friends, but she wouldn’t mind finding out.

She thought about how she and Ken had begun picking up the pieces of their relationship and wondered if Zane would be willing to do the same. If Ken could forgive her, maybe Zane could too. Brenda tore a sheet of paper from her notebook and began to write, hoping Zane would receive her humble apology and allow her to be his friend once again.

I am so sorry for hurting you. I hate having you so upset with me, but I don’t blame you. I acted as if I was only interested in you when really I was also interested in someone else. I know I should’ve been honest like you were with me. Can you please forgive me? I would like to be your friend again.

She realized how much more brief her letter to Zane was than the one she’d given to Ken, and she was well aware of the reason behind that. The feelings that she’d developed for Ken went far beyond what she felt for Zane and her apologies to both guys seemed to reflect that. Without hesitation, she folded the note in half and discreetly passed it back to him. She waited patiently for him to read it and hoped that he would respond. She felt him tap on her shoulder and she turned slightly to retrieve the note from him.

Brenda, I guess I can be nice and accept your apology, but about us being friends—I’m not so sure. I have to trust my friends and right now I don’t have too much trust in you.

Brenda took a deep breath and exhaled. At least he’s forgiven me, she thought. Now she knew she could move forward with her life.

“Nice goin’, Lauren,” a female student snarled on her way out of the classroom.

Lauren glared at the girl as she gathered her books and stood to leave. She looked at Jayda. “I can’t believe this.”

“What? The fact that Mr. Sterling got fired or the fact that everyone’s blaming you?”

Lauren sighed. “I don’t know. I just wish that all of this drama would go away.”

As they walked out of the room, they ran into Jarred, who barely gave Lauren a fleeting look.

“Jarred,” Lauren called after him.

After seconds of reluctance, Jarred turned to face Lauren.

Her eyes were full of regret when she said, “I’m sorry for what I said to you on Monday.”

“Look, Lauren, I don’t want your apologies, okay?” Jarred shrugged. “I’d much rather you go back to ignoring me.” He turned and walked into the classroom.

Lauren sighed as she and Jayda resumed walking.

“Man, that boy is really angry with you,” Jayda stated. “I’ve never seen him act like that before.”

“Me either. He’s been like that since the week after my party. I just thought he might’ve been mad because he didn’t get an invitation, but now I don’t know what the problem could be.”

Jayda glanced at her friend. “You don’t think he might’ve known about you and Mr. Sterling before it got out into the open?”

“You mean before that day Sterling came back to school?”

Jayda nodded. “It’s possible. Evan figured it out when you didn’t come to school on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. Maybe Jarred did the same, only sooner.”

“I don’t know what to think. I just want to make everything right.”

They walked into their second-period class as Jayda said, “Well, we have early release day today and as soon as this class is over, spring break officially begins. I want you to have fun, so you need to handle your business ASAP.”

Lauren released a heavy sigh as the bell rang, indicating the beginning of the next class period. She wanted to have fun during the break, but with her troubles still on her mind, she knew she wouldn’t be able to. She had to find a way to fix things.