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*Thud*. I suggest laptops and online resources for high school. Even if I have the largest backpack in existence, I still wind up carrying books in my arms. Locker halls are claustrophobic. Chivalry did not die, it was murdered by passing period. With so many students at school, you are forced to utilize that time to reach your next class, reguardless of whether you wanted to help a girl out or not. This all ran through my head as I sat down next to my books that i had just dropped. It was my favorite time of the day- lunch. Lunch spelled temporary relief from my typically awkward day and choppy thoughts. I opened the love of my life (aka my lunch) to find a 2oz., toddler-size yogurt and half an apple. For some reason, I realize it immediately when my mom repacks the lunch i pack. She doesn't understand my mentality on food. I believe that you snack almost continuously throughout the day, rather than eating "large" meals. I doubt hers counts as large. It's on my radar as a snack, but now I would just starve. Eating a minute amount of food hardly counts as eating at all. Worse than starving cuz it makes you more hungry. On my "diet", it wouldn't matter because you knew you were eating again in five minutes. *Gurgle*. Well, I would ask for $ from someone, but I don't have any lifelines left. I have hated lunch for about a month, since my mom started doing this. I get to watch other people eat, and pretend that I can taste it too. I started to get a headache. What is up? I asked myself. Oh, no! *groan*. That smell...here comes hell. I saw shoes on the ground briefly before i was hoisted up to meet the eyes of the one who owned the shoes. "How'd jah do it this time?" a sarcastic snob breathed in my ear. "Do what?" I said, raising my eyebrows. The second I voiced my question, the answer hit me. The understanding came at a price. The price being the imprint that Ashley's hand left on my face, and the consequent blood. Now I was pissed; my reasoning should not cost me that much time. I could have easily blocked the blow anyways. Her girls trapped me against the wall in the midst of their ranks as they led me to a classroom. She must really want an answer to judge how severely to damage me. I thought as they led me onward. I desperately searched the faces we passed for someone smart enough to understand what was ensuing. Reguardless of my despair, I told mmyself that I would find someone to save me, since i needed it. The girls around me stopped; someone was talking to Ashley. I used the precious opportunity to observe the surrounding faces. At the sound of my name being called, I turned around to face Jake Long, a cocky guy known for his HRC works machine. I truly envied his sweet red bike. Now, I do admit in all seriousness, that it was not fair for me to label him cocky without actually knowing him. I just call him that because everytime we'd meet, he'd cock an eyebrow at me, and I'd cock one right back at him before glaring. Since I was done reviewing the file i had of him in my head, I began to actually pay attention to what he had been saying. It had been smalltalk questions: easy to answer. "So where are you all off to?" he asked, innocently enough. I bit my lip. "We're finding an empty place to sit," Ashley dripped sweetly with a smile. Her words always seemed to ooze from her mouth. "Oh! I'm Sorri! I'll let you go. I didn't realize you all hadn't eaten yet," he apologized. My thoughts lifted. Maybe he'll notice that I don't have my lunch with me, I thought. I met his eyes and pleaded silently for him to notice. But he's only a boy. I thought sardonically as he continued on his way. The girls and I turned the corner, and they shoved me into an empty classroom. I was forced into a desk, and they began their methods. In a vain attempt to thwart their efforts, I tried to recognize which classroom I was trapped in. The art room. I felt sick to my stomach. The pain was, and had been unbearable, but I wish I hadn't gone to the trouble of figuring what was coming next. This particular art teacher smoked, so the room already smelled of cigarettes. Cigarette torture. Well, it wouldn't be the first time. All they had done so far was twist my arm. This was just preparation; Ashley hadn't even asked anything yet. Jessica, one of Ashley's snobs, suggested experimenting with my arm, guesturing to her iced tea bottle. Receiving a smirk of approval, she broke her bottle in the trash and retrieved a large shard and the neck of the bottle. Ashley took the shard and stabbed my arm with it at my wrist. "Why did Jasen ask you for help in math?" she spat each word icily, dragging the shard an inch up my arm. "Because he knew that since I was farther along than he was, that I must've solved the problem he needed help with," I muttered to her, staring down. She gashed another 4 inches in a moment, almost to my elbow. I had to bite down hard on my tongue, to keep from crying or screaming. Ashley ripped my skin up to my elbow, then threw away the shard. Then it came out; her Virginia Slims came out of her purse. She lit up and took a drag before speaking. "Stay away from what you can't afford to keep," she whispered, and shoved the butt of her cigarette into my wound. She held it there. I moaned slightly. I took a small comfort in the fact that lunch had to be over soon. "Hey girls!. I need a light! Her blood put out my cigarette!" she laughed. They all joined in. Jessica came over and lit her cigarette again. This time she held her cigarette to my skin away from my wound, and held it there. "If I see you talking to him again, I won't be so nice. Let's go, you guys! I was somewhat happy to rush off to biology for two reasons: 1) to get away from Ashley, and 2) to get to wear the LONG-SLEAVED lab coat to cover my bandaged arm. I practically ran to the room, but as I hurriedly put on a white coat, I felt sick. Jasen was in the same class as me this period, and we were picking lab partners today. Jake was also in that class though, and they were best friends. Surely they'll pick one another, I hoped as I chose a seat in the back corner. I opened my book to study the example of the disection we were doing today as the students filed into the room. The sound of the stools next to me being pulled out instantly made my breathe feeze in my mouth and my spine stiffen. I glanced over to see Jasen and Jake getting comfortable. Seeking to avoid eye contact and conversation, I gathered up my things to relocate. However, when I turned to go, Jake grabbed my arm. I could not hold back an audible wince and moan. I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. The pressure on the wound made my legs feel weak, but I braced myself with my other arm on the table. As clueless to the obvious as boys may be, an excuse was not going to fly on this one, and I was cornered. Perfect time to faint, if only I would. Instead, I think I must've turned green, and Jasen went and asked the teacher (quietly, thank God!) if I could go to the nurse. Jake was appointed escort, and I was helped out. Bad news! Would he want to to look at my arm? I glanced over at him. He did! He started to help me out of the lab coat, and I reluctantly let him (Chivalry is to be encouraged :D). When we got to the nurse's office, the nurse told me to take off my bandage. I did. Jake's eyes narrowed, and I lowered my head, refusing to meet his eyes. His hand lifted my chin and he asked me gravely, "Who?" I bit my lip. "But I can't tell you!" I spat. And I buried my head in my arms. This time the tears came. Sitting, head in arms, I choked back sobbs. I shook and wept uncontrollably, but not unconsoled. Jake was there the whole time the nurse examined me. He did not know what to do or say, but still, he was there. I put back on the lab coat and trekked back to the classroom with Jake, sick at heart. I was met in the room with "concerned" girls who all asked how i was. I say this sarcastically, because I recognize the female reporters- gathering all they could to pass on. Yes, there would be rumors aplenty, until it was well-known that it was Ashley who did it. Fear would shut the mouthes; I'd give it about a week. I had no one I wished to speak to; so I sat silent, and let my stomach do the talking. Yes, even in the middle of disecting, I was hungry. I had missed picking partners, and most of the disecting with Jake, so we were to make up the assignment after school today. I grabbed my books under my left armand gritted my teeth. The backpack adding to the stress on my left arm made my doom inevitable. I almost made it to my next class when I dropped my books...on Jasen's foot! He might try to help me and pick up my stuff! Speed is my ally, I hoped as I bent quickly and began to gather it all up. I bit my lip hard, because I knew that unless I used my right arm, I would pay for it later with Ashley. I felt his stare on me, so I practically ran off...straight into Jake! I ran together a quick apology and went as fast as I could to English class. (click on the link to page 2) |
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