Masked By Madness

1. Terrified By Madness

'Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.' -George Bernard Shaw

Life seems easy and enjoyable for people who know how to make the most out of it. Some people, at startlingly young ages, experience ruthless lives that force them to learn how to survive in any circumstances. Yet, there can be a family yards away who live a life similar to a hand-wrapped basket full of bright flowers, vivid dreams, and scented bath salts. They are born into gifted, peaceful, conflict-lacking, perfect lives; as seen from a first glance.

One merciless such event that requires adaptation to survive is high school. What runs through your mind when you hear the dreaded words high school?

Life is full of shit? This place is worse than hell? Fuck high school? I don't care any more? Maybe; I'm such a nerd, but what the hell, the next step is to college. All of the above; average thoughts pertaining to high school? For Jane, high school is far from average or perfect.

"Miss Jane! This is the sixth time you failed a math test! You are driving me closer to the brink of insanity every time I have to make you another re-test!" An exasperated sigh. "I can't believe you're the class monitor!" Mrs. Layla scoffed at Jane who was standing in front of her, silently taking the scolding.

Mrs. Layla; the sweetest teacher you could ever have. She didn't mind if you were talking in her class or taking a nap. You could even eat your lunch in the room if you brought from home. She was your typical mathematics teacher when it came to solving equations; she explained lessons that her students were swamped with. Many of them dreamed hauntingly of x's and y's wandering on in their unconscious, adolescent minds.

Though Mrs. Layla was usually docile and sweet, this was not the first time Jane had failed a test and had to listen to her lousy shouts; Jane was oh so close to getting kicked out of the school.

"I really am sorry, Mrs. Layla, I tried my best this time," desperation had long since leaked from her pleadings. "Please just give me another chance..."

Mrs. Layla stared at Jane, her gaze contemplative but soon turning to enraged. Jane had failed six math tests in a row; and that was just one subject. The others were no better. For Jane was not your typical teenage girl; neither nerd nor a ragingly popular girl liked by many people. Jane was a failure; the dumbest girl when it came to her classes. On top of that, she would never have the sort of comic relief other girls have with their "partners", as she never intended to have a boyfriend due to her "hyper" nature.

"Another chance? Girl, you must be joking. Do you think that I am even allowed to give you as many retakes as I have already?" She pinched the bridge of her nose and leaned back in the chair she kept behind her desk. Controlling her anger, she stood and took Jane's shoulders. "You only get one more chance. If you fail I will kick you out of my class and you won't be the class president or monitor either. Understand?" Mrs. Layla said.

The whole class was busy talking among themselves; all used to Mrs. Layla's before-class banter at Jane. In fact, it was so common place that Jane had been named 'Jane the Thick-Headed Retard' by her classmates.

"I promise I will do it! " Jane bowed low and rushed to sit at her desk. She could hear Alex mutter, "Jane the jumbled up," but she wasn't about to get offended now.

Mrs. Layla opened her books and snapped, "Quiet! We will begin the next lesson on geometry now. I am pleased to say that all of you have passed your last test with flying marks. There will be another test coming up once we finish this unit," she said, looking pointedly at Jane who was not the least bit bothered.

Nearly an hour later, the class was dismissed and everyone resumed their animated conversations. Jane packed her things and joined a cluster of her classmates who were talking about the school's upcoming talent show.