Salutations

Chapter 1

"Why do you exist?"

"You're a failure!"

"Get away you freak!"

"What's your problem?"

     These were the things told to me every day. Every day for 17 years. And I mean, they've all got a reason to think these things. I really am quite different. And it's not about what I like. It's not about what I look like. It's about what I act like. I've always acted differently than other people, I've always surpassed them. My mind works quicker than others, runs on a more dangerous level. I've never cared about people like others. They're just things that always tend to hurt you or get in your way. Why? I'm a sociopath, and I can't help that. People often call me a freak, psychopath (which annoys the crap out of me, seeing as I do not have many characteristics of a psychopath), and other unnecessary names. The years of bullying has given me a form of depression. The years of bullying has given me a sense of loneliness even though I have a supporting family. The years of bullying has given me scars from both their fights they've tried to start and the knives which I've tried to end my life with. Really quite a depressing story isn't it? But every life has it's ups and downs. My life just hasn't found it's up yet.

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BEEP BEEP BEEP

     One day I'll slaughter that alarm clock with my bare hands, I think. I turn over in my bed to face the ceiling. Just one more day until high school is over. Just one more day and then I can join a world where I might be more appreciated for my abilities. I throw the covers off my bed and start getting dressed. I pull a random pair of blue jeans out of my closet. "Looks clean..." I mumble to myself. With my life, there isn't much time for thinking about if the clothes on my body are clean or not. But does it really matter? I pull out one of my flannels and throw it on along with the jeans and some black converse. Everything about my appearances pleases me. Everything except my hair. But then again, I don't think my hair will ever please me. I try to brush the red ringlets that surround my face and  look in the mirror. Good enough.

     "Samantha, dear, it's time for school!" My mother calls. "Okay, I'll be down soon." I yell back. I grab my backpack and walk down the stairs. "Honey, aren't you going to eat?" "Not really hungry at the moment, but thank you." I reply. "Samantha you need to eat breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day." I ignore her and grab the car keys. "Love you Mom." I say as I peck her on the cheek. "I love you too." I hear her say as I step out the door. 

    Once my car is parked, I jump out of the car and speed into school. It's not that I'm late, I just don't like being around people. When I finally enter the building, I search for my safe place. The library. The library is the only place I fit in, the only place I feel I belong. "Hey freak!" I hear someone say behind me. I pick up my pace. "Why run, Sammy? I just want to talk." The boy says closing in. "Go away, I never bothered you." I reply. He grabs my arm and turns me around. I immediately start to break him down. He's clearly a senior, like myself. He looks to be about 18, possibly held back a year. He has a scar on his left eyebrow which shows he's been in a few fights or was in an accident, but judging by his bulging muscles I'd say it was a fight. He's tough. Lucky me. I try to break away from his grasp. "Hey hey hey don't run away! I'm just here to escort you. Now where are you.... Oh that's right! The library, you always go there." He puts his arm around me. "Come on, this'll be fun!"

     "And here we are, m'lady! Your final destination." He says at the entrance f the library. "Now how about we find you a nice, long book to read?" He says taking me and dragging me through the isles. "Yes! Here's a book!" He says grabbing it and shoving it in my face. Psychopaths: A Book on the Weird by Thomas Hues. Why would someone even write this? I think. "Mr. Tarten! What are you doing in the library?" Our librarian Mrs. Hutchetson asks. "Just introducing this nice girl to a book I thought might-" "Well that's very nice dear but don't you have some place to be? Now run along I don't want you to be late!" She said pushing him out the door. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Hutchetson." I say. Mrs. Hutchetson is about the only friend I have. I don't know why, but she's always been able to understand me and tell when I need help. "Oh no problem. I just can't stand it when nice people like you get picked on! It's so terrible!" Nice? You think I'm... okay Mrs. Hutchetson whatever, I think. "Now what can I help you with today?"

     I close the door to my house. "Finally, some alone time!" I exhale. I sit down at my desk and gather my thoughts. The day, overall, wasn't half as bad as it could've been. Just the guy from this morning and one other person at the end of the day made fun of me. I look down at the book Mrs. Hutchetson gave me before I had left the library earlier that morning. Salutations by Jackson York was it's title. To be honest, I was a bit doubtful of it when she handed it to me. It looked corny and poorly written. But, knowing Mrs. Hutchetson, there's a reason for everything. I opened it and began to read. "Once upon a time..." Oh please, a fairy tale?  I think rolling my eyes. I close the book and set it down. If the first line is "Once upon a time" then it's bound to be some sort of romantic, fairy tale nonsense that I do not need in my life. I get up and go to sit on my bed. It'd been a long day and I was starting to feel tired. I started to lie down. Just a few minuets...