Second Chances. (WATTY AWARDS 2013)

Chapter 36: I Knew You Were Trouble.

Chapter 36: I Knew You Were Trouble.

~Bailey~

September ’92.

“Now Bailey, don’t forget that you’re a smart young lady who’s independent and uncanny so never let a boy get to you and if they do you’re going to an all girl’s school somewhere in Peru.” Those were considered the words of encouragement from my mother. I sat in the front seat of the beige SUV with my back pack in my lap. I couldn’t help but play with my braces with my tongue, its weird having braces on; I can’t help but play with them. The early morning sun beamed into the car and blinded me through my glasses. I wanted to laugh at my mother’s statement mainly because the only reason boys notice me is because I have frizzy hair, glasses and I’m under developed. But I dyed my hair yesterday and my acne’s cleared up and I got a new bra so hopefully I won’t attract the wrong kind of attention. I couldn’t help but mentally laugh at my hopes; I’m such an idiot of course I’m going to get the wrong kind of attention. I still have frizzy hair and glasses and even though my family is some what wealthy I still have to wear hand-me-downs.

I sighed heavily and nodded at my mother while my eyes were down into my lap. It’s thirty degrees and I’m wearing a jacket over top of my Maiden tee shirt and a pair of jeans with hiking boots. I lifted my gaze and forced a smile.

“Okay mom, I’ll see you after school.” I said before jumping out of the SUV. Today was the first day of eighth. In all honesty I’m nervous. Seventh grade was a tough crowd, I lost all my friends because I had to study and be perfect for my parents. Of course I was bullied to no end by everyone but there was one group of four boys that were the worst to me; one in particular. His name is Jimmy, he’d walk behind me and put pens and pencils in my hair. He’d make my life a living hell and God forbid if he ever found out about what all the things he’s done to me has made me do to myself. But there is a part of me that thinks he’s a good person and maybe if I give him a chance he’ll be rather decent. But if I get close to him he’ll find out about my battle wounds.

The mere thought made me pull my sleeves over my hands as I went into the school with my backpack over my shoulder. I sighed heavily as my mind was already tired by all the perfect girls standing in their short shorts and mini skirts gossiping and laughing happily. A few of them I once called my friends. I felt jealous by the fact that they have curves and boobs and boys noticed them.

 I walked up to the check in tables where there was a black haired teacher sitting there with a gleaming smile. I faked a grin as I approached him.

“Good morning, name please.” He greeted with a lively tone. I adjusted the backpack on my shoulder as I scanned the papers carefully.

“Bailey Hale.”I replied tiredly. The teacher scanned the papers carefully with his pen running along the names. He stopped on the fourth paper and smiled widely.

“You’re in Mrs Waddel’s class which is on the third floor at the end of the hall on the left side.” He stated happily. I nodded and began my journey around the big school. I had to go up three flights of stairs before I got to the top floor. I went down the hall on the left side, my class was on the right side of the hall way. Students and teachers cluttered the halls nosily. I felt somewhat at ease with the fact that I haven’t seen Jimmy or Matt or Brian or Zack; yet. I pray that they don’t bug me, we’ve known each other since second grade but they didn’t start picking on me until fifth grade.

I couldn’t help but smile as I made my way into the class room and found myself a seat near the front of the class but not entirely at the front, I sat in the row closest to the far wall. There was an easy feeling riddling me as I sank into the back of my chair as the class was called into the room. Preteens piled into the class room and went to their desks.

I thought I was home free but then my heart stopped as time slowed way down when he walked in with his usual cheeky smile; his smile was broadened showing off his pearly white teeth. His sun blonde hair was messy and disfigured. His electric blue eyes framed by his glasses as he came into the room wearing a baseball jersey and board shorts. My jaw was dropped onto the top of my desk and my eyes hung out of their sockets. Holy sweet Jesus, Jimmy is in my class, great, just super. But something about him has changed. He’s matured over the summer; maybe he finally hit puberty well it’d made sense since he is going to be thirteen in February. I mean like Jesus, puberty hits some people hard and it obviously has done that to him but he’s survived with amazing looks. No wonder he’s got a girlfriend, Rosie Jones. She’s a freshman in High School. God she’s so lucky.

My eyes instantly fell from him when his gaze scanned the room carefully. I felt ashamed of myself for thinking all those things about him. I knew better than to think things about him. My heart sank when his eyes found me and he headed my way. His charming smile was directed towards me as he passed beside me. I smelt his cologne, it was such a sweet smell but it had bitterness to it. It made me shutter beneath my clothes. My heart sank inside my chest as he sat in the empty desk behind me. I instantly regretted not sitting at the back. I felt him tap my shoulder twice forcing me to turn around and face him. He smiled at me warmly but deceivingly; I’ll never trust that smile, not in a million years.

“Hey Bailey, how was your summer?” He asked nicely. I was dumbfounded by what he just said. He was actually being nice, to me? I really couldn’t help myself but gape at his sun kissed complexion that complimented his ice blue eyes and summer blonde hair. His eye brows furrowed as his fingers snapped in front of my face.

“Bailey, are you okay?” He asked me again. Okay, he’s being too nice to me; something’s up. I furrowed my eye brows and nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I had a good summer in Oregon.” I stated in response to his questions. The corners of his mouth twitched into a kind smile.

“Yeah, I missed seeing you around.” He remarked. My heart did leaps and bounds inside my chest. I bit my lip hard and nodded.

“Yeah.”I muttered softly.

“I like what you’ve done with your hair.” He complimented sincerely. I was both flattered and worried. What does he want? After three years of bullying me why is he being nice? Maybe he wants to see his girlfriend kick my ass because if he keeps talking to me she will. I felt the blush settle on my face as I sank into my chair. He kept talking to be the entire class but he was being nice about it. It seemed like he wanted to let the past go and move forward into the future. He was smiling and laughing with me, I know you can fake those kinds of things but not this kind of smile or laugh. His charming blue eyes never left mine. Great trouble just walked into my life and I fell for him. This is going to hurt like a mother fucker.