Isolated

The bell rings. They grab my arms, instantly holding me back. Struggling, I twist my body away from them. Their icy hands feel like iron clamping around my throbbing wrists.

Rough hands against my back shove me into the room. As I fall to the floor, the heavy door is slammed shut behind me. I am plunged into darkness, alone, the sound of the key falling onto the cold floor still ringing in my ears. Tears prickle me eyes. My vision becomes blurred. My face burns as if it's on fire. My limbs shake uncontrollably.

I wince at the pain in my knee and stumble to the window. The glass is dotted with colourful raindrops that have been illuminated by the school buses lined up outside. A group of teenagers race towards one, eager to start their weekend, roaring with laughter and sharing what seems to be a great joke as they sprint across the gravel. I recognise a few of them, their faces still fresh in my mind. It was them who trapped me in here. A flame of anger flashes across my cheeks. How could they do this to someone? To me? What have I ever done to deserve this? They have no idea what I've been through.

Why me? I ask myself, slumping my back against the cold brick wall. A sense of loneliness wells up inside me. I have no one to talk to, not now and perhaps I never will. Who can I call to pick me up? My mum?- No, she'll be busy at work, I promised her I'd be fine, I don't want to let her down. Vanessa?- No, she's halfway across the country and anyway, she has her new friends now. Tears spill at the edges of my eyes. Why did we have to move? Why did I have to come to this dump of a school? If this is what the first day's like, I don't know how I'll cope with the rest of the year.

Suddenly, I get a flicker of hope when I notice a shadow appearing in the sliver of light from outside. I try to call for help but only manage a hoarse whisper. The figure passes, oblivious. Rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand, I slowly stand up and head back to the window. Most of the buses have gone, leaving just a trickle of my icy new schoolmates melting into their Fridays, the noise fading with them. The sun has almost completely set, leaving the sky dark and empty, much like the room around me.

Again, my thoughts turn back to what had happened a mere ten minutes ago. I can't understand why they did it. They don't know me at all. A part of me wants to be angry with them and get some form of revenge, but then of course, is be just as bad as them.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, swiftly breaking my train of thought. I push my earphones to the side and quickly bring the lit up screen into vision. I try desperately to stop my eyes from watering, but I fail. Staring at the picture in front of me, I sigh. The photo was taken on a beach one year ago, the last time I was truly happy. The memories are still vivid in my mind. The sound of waves crashing gently against the golden sand, mum and Jackson racing to the water. I even remember the smell of the mouth-watering barbecue drifting and filling my nostrils. It's all gone now. All of it. Taking a deep breath, I run my fingers over the faces of a smiling, laughing, hugging family- me, Mum and Jackson. Things have changed so much since he died. My big brother, my best friend- I still can't believe it. My life has spiralled out of control- I have no idea how to fix it.

The text is from my mum- "let me know when you get home x". I feel a small smile form on my lips, a sad smile. I tired so hard to keep my family together, I really did, but I guess the three of us knew that it was bound to fall apart- we just refused to believe it. I panic: Mum will be worried if I'm not home soon. Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I rush to the door and rattle the handle with all my strength. It doesn't give. I bang its window instead, sobbing. Something in the hallway catches my eye- I freeze. It's someone, jogging towards the door. My relief quickly morphs into embarrassment. I don't want to be seen in this state. People will start asking questions again. I recognise her face, my teacher... Miss To- I struggle to think of her name, my thoughts still too clouded to concentrate.

Before I know it, the door bursts open, making me stumble backwards and clutch a desk behind me. Her eyes dart to meet mine, shock evident in her expression.

"Are you okay? What are you doing here? What happened?"

She takes a step closer and places a comforting hand on my arm, her touch feeling like ice on my skin. A tear rolls down my cheek. It was all too much. My legs collapse beneath me and I slump back against the wall. My eyes flutter shut and my head throbs with an agonising pain. A familiar voice makes me open my eyes. The room is filled with my mother's sobs.

"Alice! Honey, it's me!"

No matter how hard I try, my eyes won't stay open. Suddenly, everything turns black.

As I feel my mind drifting, the picture of me, Mum and Jackson comes into view. I wonder if I'll ever be as happy as I was then.

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AN: Hello!! Um so this is really short but it's just a story I wrote several months ago for my English class so I decided that I might as well put it on here! It would be interesting to see what people think of it but you know, I'm not expecting anything great haha. Also to anyone who has read my other story 'Wonderstruck' well I'm not too sure I'm going to continue it. I started writing it ages ago and it's so cheesy and rubbish to me. Also, the reason I haven't updated it in ages is because of exams- yay. Okay so thanks to anyone who actually reads this!! Bye for now!