The Experiment

Chapter One - Introductions - Part One

AYANNA

I had never really felt like I truly belonged anywhere. Everywhere I went, people seemed weirded out by me, almost scared to even take a glance at me. But I knew exactly why. My eyes. Instead of normal blue, green, brown, or hazel, mine were a bright, astonishing white, well, at least I thought they were astonishing. Most others didn't. In fact, nobody ever really did. Usually, when people first noticed my eye color, they either had a look of nervousness or disgust plastered on there face, like cement or for the kids, hid behind there parents.

So while most people of Portsmouth, Virginia dreaded the thought of going back to school and learning, I could not be more excited. Finally no stress of people seeing me trying to live summer like a normal child. Ever since first grade, I had been homeschooled by my mother, while my father went out and did his fatherly duties, so I would not look like a total freak in school. One that constantly got picked on. One that nobody would want to be friends with. My younger sister, on the other hand, it seems like she knows everyone in the world.

To tell you a little bit more about me, my name is Ayanna. I am twelve years old, and I have one ten-year-old sister named Jaidyn. We don't look like we are related, and sometimes I wished that we weren't. I have golden blonde straight hair, while she has dark brown curly hair. And her eyes are normal, a piercing emerald green, almost like Maleficent. Jaidyn found every way possible to go out and embarrass the heck out of me. Whether it be in stores, or just on the driveway, she would do crazy stupid things to make me wish I was an only child.

The only three friends, or that's what I consider them, that I have are Jaidyn, Sophie and my cat, Socks. Most people consider their sister to be there best friend, and that's how I feel too. Sure, she gets on my nerves more than she doesn't, but you have to love your siblings, right? Jaidyn is the one that I can always count on, one that will do anything for me.

Sophie is my next door neighbor. She is twelve, just like me, and probably the sweetest person I know. She never judged me for my eyes and was the one person I could always trust. We have been friends since Kindergarten, the one year that I did attend public school, and haven't stop being friends since.

And of course, there is my cat, Socks. We chose the name socks because he was born with white paws, and midnight black fur. Socks had sat next to me when I cried, and never left my side when I was sick.

"Ayanna! Jaidyn! Time for dinner!" My mom called out, as daunting smells of freshly grilled steak filled my house with delight.

I dashed down the stairs, as fast as I could, hoping Jaidyn had not beat me. And as per usual, she had.

"Haha! You have to set the table!" Jaidyn chanted, happily.

"Fine. Just this once you little turd." I said, as we both laughed, which was not uncommon.

I grabbed the plates, napkins, forks, spoons, and steak knives from the counter, as Jaidyn stared at me pleased. "Stop looking so happy to see me suffer!" I said, jokingly.

"Why would I not look happy to see my sister doing chores?" Jaidyn replied, sassily.

"Okay, miss priss, if your gonna be so sassy, then you can do the dishes tonight!" My dad pitched in.

Jaidyn's face dropped, as I burst out into laughter. "But that- I was-" She began, stumbling on words.

"That's what you get son!" I burst out, still dying of laughter.

"Ughhh. Fine..." She retorted, angrily. But she was not angry for long.

My dad said the platter of superb steak, fresh fruit, and crispy chips onto the center of the table, as Jaidyn and I simultaneously dove our hands in.

"Now now girls, what do we say before we grab food?" My mother asked.

"We say praise..." We both muttered, as we sadly pulled our hands away from the scrumptious meal.

We all bowed our heads, and said praise, even though it meant nothing to me, then dove in hungrily. "Oh! Ayanna! Guess what?"

"What?" I muttered, mouth filled with savory steak.

"We signed you up to try out public school again with Sophie! Isn't that great?" She said, excitedly.

With my mouth now filled with icy cold water, I spit all of the water on the window next to me. "WHAT?" I screamed as anxiety took control of my body.

"Yeah! You start next Tuesday!" My father said smiling.

Suddenly, I wasn't hungry for my favorite meal, so I set my fork down and rose from the table. "Yeah... great..." I sighed.

Great if you weren't someone that had eyes like me.... My thoughts erupted.

I stormed up the stairs and slammed the door. There was no way I would possibly come out before school. I buried my face into my pillow and sobbed the night away.