Wait

Chapter 1

"And when day breaks, so do I..." I let my head fall forward so the class would know I was finished. I spent weeks writing this poem for this assignment and if I don't get an A+ then I won't try anymore. I pick my head up after hearing the okay from my teacher. Everyone in the room is staring at me, confused. It feels like they don't know what to do after hearing my recital. 

"That was..." begins Ms. May, "very good, Iris." I nod silently and sit in my desk. I hear small laughter from the back of the class. Jackson and his friends are pointing at me and chuckling. I tune them out and pull out my notebook to start writing. The bell rings out of nowhere and I look at my phone. 9:30 AM. I guess I didn't realise that class was almost over. 

"Iris! Stay after class for a minute!" Ms. May calls. I sigh and stand up. Jackson runs into me and knocks me over. 

"OoOpS!" He says mockingly, " I didn't see you there!" He laughs hysterically and then walks to his next class. I pack my things up and walk up to the front of the class sheepishly. It takes a moment before Ms. May realises I'm standing in front of her. She sighs and looks at me. I brace myself for the next few sentences that are about to come out of her mouth, fearing the worst. 

"Iris, you're a very talented writer. Your poems, although very dark and sad, are also deep and metaphorical. I want you to write for the school's paper." 

"Wait, what?" I ask. She repeats herself and then gives me a couple sheets of paper. She tells me these are sign up sheets for writing positions in the school. I take them reluctantly and tell her thanks. She nods and then goes back to working. I walk out of the classroom and walk to my next class. 

The hallways are a chaotic mess of disarray and confusion. Kids are always screaming at each other only inches from their friend's faces. Things are always flying through the air and it hits someone in the shoulder or chest. I use the hallway as a metaphor in my writing sometimes. I always try to find the symbols and metaphors in the world's most ordinary things. The only thing I haven't used as a metaphor, or as anything at all, is love. Love is too abstract and confusing for me to use. I'm scared of getting it wrong, or being laughed at for my thinking. 

A cold breeze blows down my back and I shiver. I look around at what could have caused it. An open window lies at the wall opposite me. I close the window, put in my earphones, and put on some Radiohead. I love their music. It puts me at ease and they're what inspired me to write songs, poems, short stories, and all of that. I get to my next class and sit down. 

The bell rings for school to end. I start towards Ms. May's class to see what my grade is for the poem. I quickly change songs on my phone while walking, accidentally walking into Jackson in the process. He falls over and gives me a scowl. Oops. Now I've really put myself into a world of hurt. I immediately run away and Jackson follows behind in quick pursuit. I try and cut corners and lose him on the way to Ms. May's room. 

"YOU CAN RUN, IRIS, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE!" I hear him yell behind me. Several male teachers are now after Jackson to try and stop him. "WHEN I CATCH YOU, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO TELL THE PARAMEDICS HOW BAD YOU HURT!!" I try and run a bit faster. I look behind me for a second, long enough to see Jackson tackled by our football team's coach. I keep running and make finally make it to Ms. May's room. 

"Iris? Are you okay? There are tears in your eyes!" She asks.

"I'm.. fine." I saw between big breaths. "W-what's my grade for t-t-he poem?" I stifle a sob and wipe the tears from my eyes. 

"You made a 96, I took points off for stream of consciousness. You know I don't like that." 

"Sorry..." I walk out of her class and make my way home. The walk home is my favourite part of the day. I get to listen to whatever music I want to, I get to think of new lines, lyrics, or ideas to write, and I get to brainstorm out loud! If I did any of that where people could see me they would think I'm a freak! I start my walk home listening to Weezer. They're another one of my favourite bands. They're also where the happier side of my lyrics come from. All the way home I listen to music, and write down whatever comes into my head. 

Before I can get inside my home, I immediately get a call from April, my best friend. 

"Iris! What happened in the hallway today after school?"

"I don't want to talk about it. It was an honest mist-"

"IRIS DERY! COME INSIDE NOW!" My mom yells from inside the house. I yell back that I will, apologise to April, and hang up. When I get inside, my mom is inside staring at me.

"I got a call from the school today, saying you caused some trouble? What is this about?" She patiently waits for my answer, which I can't seem to find. I begin to speak, but I choke on tears suddenly forming in my eyes. "Well? I'm waiting."

"I'd rather not talk about it right now, mom... Can I please just go to my room and finish my homework..?" I say meekly. 

"IRIS!" She begins to raise her voice, and I flinch. 

No other words come out of her. I open my watery eyes and look at her. She's smiling softly. 

"I'm sorry for raising my voice... I can tell you actually don't want to talk... Your father and I will want to know the full story tonight before you go to bed. Please, go to your room and relax. Finish your work. I'm sorry."

I smile back and brush the tears away. "Thank you..." I walk upstairs and throw my stuff down. I hop face down onto my bed and turn on sad music. I certainly hope tomorrow will be a much better day than today was.