Bud: Evicted from the Closet

Chapter One

I couldn't remember when I got my umbrella.

For as long as I can remember, I've had it.

It's big and black and much too large for a small child, but one day I refused to let go of it.

TEverywhere I went, it came too. It hung over my head like a shield from social interactions and the odd looks I gathered.

I already knew I was different, that I wasn't completely normal. It freaked people out, so under my umbrella I hid.

Under my umbrella, I'm safe.

Then came the day I registered for High School.

I clutched my umbrella handle with sweaty palms, gnawing on my lower lip as my parents lead me through the grounds.

There were over a thousand kids attending here and just the thought of the packed hallways gave me anxiety.

I was registering late, which meant everyone had already had time to find friends and almost no one was getting lost anymore.

Shoulders hunched and umbrella hanging over my eyes, I stared at the floor.

The principal's heels clicked on the linoleum as she approached us. I peeked up at her just in time to catch the look she gave me.

I flushed and quickly hid once again.

I could hear the false smile in her voice as she explained school rules and scheduling to my parents. They thanked her and before we left to get my locker, she cleared her throat.

"Excuse me," she said, annoyed. "But during the school day, l umbrellas and hats must be taken off and put away."

I stared at her, both my hands wrapped around the worn handle of what was practically my best friend. My stomach dropped and I felt tears coming like they often did when I was overwhelmed.

I was a crybaby and I hated it.

I quickly turned away, curling into myself as my parents lead me away.

The minute we got home, I kicked off my boots and rushed up to my room. I sat down on my bed and brought my knees up to my chest. I sniffles pathetically as my umbrella came to rest on top of me, covering me completely as I tried to breath correctly.

Once I had calmed down, I hugged the handle of my umbrella and it seemed to hug me back.

"I-I can do this." I whispered to myself. "It's just school..." My breath shuddered out of me and I knew that I was completely screwed.

I anxiously twisted the handle of my umbrella, the dark fabric rippling and twirling over my shoulder.

I had to close the umbrella on the bus and I couldn't open it until I got off it at the end of the day.

I stared down at my feet, the cocoon of shadows felt nice and safe. I was already hideously pale, another reason to hide from the sun.

There was also the fact that it was much easier to tell that there was something wrong with me in the sun. In the dark, I can pretend to be normal.

The street was quiet, it was too early for many people to be out. The sun the only thing truly awake. It was odd, living in a sunny state. I remember back in my old home how it was almost normal to have umbrella everywhere.

Here, I'd stick out even more.

"Hello."

I jumped at the new voice and whipped around to see a guy my age standing there.