They Call Me Crazy

Chapter 1

I sat nervously in my eighth period class chewing the eraser off the end of my pencil. 2:55. 2:56. 2:57. The last five minutes of my school day felt like an eternity. I stared at the clock while my teacher, Mr. Brooks, explained our homework. I watched as the clock finally struck 3, and the final bell of the day rang. Finally. I drew in a breath, and threw everything in my old, worn bag. It was my favorite; given to me by my best friend, Cayden, in eighth grade. I've had the bag for almost five years. As I got up from my desk Crystal put her foot out, and I tripped over it. My zipper broke, and the contents of my bag were flung all over the floor. I cursed under my breath.

"Ooops." Crystal giggled. "Next time watch where you're going dumb ass."

Tears stung threatening to flow from my hazel eyes. Crystal walked out the door hand-in-hand with her boyfriend, Chase, who flashed me a dirty smile. Mr. Brooks didn't even look up from his desk. He never did. I picked everything up from the floor, stuffed it back in my bag, and got out of that room as fast as I could.

I walked out to the parking lot with the worst of thoughts in my mind. I hated it here. Sometimes I thought about suicide. Nobody would care if I died. Well, except maybe Cayden. That's when the tears hit me. I walked to Cayden's blue Jeep Cherokee. He was already sitting in it, engine running. I hastily wiped the back of my hand across my face trying to cover my tears.

"Hey," he said as I opened the door. I sat down feeling heat instantly rising in my cheeks. I turned to grab my seatbelt, trying to hide my flustered face.

"Do you know where I......Callie what's wrong?"

I smiled weakly, "It's nothing. I don't wanna worry you."

He rolls his eyes, and shifts to where he's facing me. His long, soft, black hair falling into his green eyes.

He's frowning at me, "Tell me." He demands.

I roll my eyes. He's so bossy sometimes. The tears threaten my eyes again, so I close them and say, "Crystal tripped me today as I was leaving." I take a deep breath and open my eyes. All the blood rushed to his face and he was furious. I put my hand into his, and looked into his eyes.

"Come on, Cayde. Don't worry about it, I'll be fine."

His glare softens, and he looks sympathetic.

"I wish she'd just forget about that fucking party." He sighs, "It's time to let it go. Her little obsession has gotten pathetic."

"Can we please not talk about this right now?"

Cayden smiles, turns on the radio, and hits the gas petal. We go flying past the bus full of kids Crystal is forced to ride every day. I smile and flip her the bird. I don't even care anymore. I'm not about to let her ruin my day more than she already has.

We drive singing along to the Black Parade album. I reach up and turn the radio down.

"Hey do you think we can sleep in the treehouse tonight?"

He looks up at the car thermostat. A whopping forty-seven degrees.

"It's a little cold isn't it?" He asks.

I shake my head. "I just really want to hang out tonight. We can rent a couple movies, order a pizza, and just talk."

He smiles at me. "Besides," I add, "we can bring a heater and some blankets and stuff."

We pull up outside the grocery store. "Okay, okay, just please stop begging!"

He laughs as I smack his arm playfully. I get out of the Jeep, and walk to meet him at the front of the car. Cayden takes my hand as we walk through the store. Every now and again he squeezes my hand tightly. We randomly throw sodas and junk food into the cart, followed by a few new wax melts for our candle warmer in the tree house. He doesn't let go of my hand until we make it to the checkout. Our total comes to $36.73. I take out my wallet to get my debit card, but Cayden is already handing his to the cashier. I glare at him.