Running

Chapter 7: Class

Leslie's POV

Edwin gave me a piece of paper that said who's class I was in, then was dragged to an interview by Austin. "You're in Ms.Hasley's class?" Ramona asked, I nodded, she grinned "I'm in her class too! And the only open desk is next to mine!" I smiled back, the bell rang and she grabbed my hand, dragging me to our class's line up spot. I tried to ignore the odd happy feeling in my chest when she took my hand, and stood behind her in line. "Mr.Anderson will lead the pledge of allegiance, and then we follow Ms.Hasley to bungalow C." She whispered, I nodded and she turned to face the man with the megaphone.

I stayed silent for most of the morning, whispering to Ramona every so often. I didn't go to school everyday when I worked for boss, but enough to know how to act. It wasn't until lunch that anything happened. "I think I have leftovers from dinner, and a little snack from all the boys. They wanted to feel 'included in the lunch process'." Ramona said as we walked to the wall to eat. I opened my lunchbox, and also found leftovers. "Same, except Edwin made the whole lunch, because all the others would've managed to break something." I said sitting down, I took out the thermos and started on the pasta Edwin had packed. I saw Ramona look up from her food, and heard her squeak quietly. "You ok Mona?" I asked, "We have to go, come on we'll eat with Ms.Hasley, c'mon Leslie." She urged, packing up her food, I started to put mine away, when a 6th grader walked over to us. He was tall and angry for some reason. "Hi Ramona, who's your boyfriend?" He sneered, I felt my face go hot. "We're not dating!" I said, "No one's talking to you runt!" He yelled, pushing me. I fell hard onto my back, and as I caught my breath I saw him pick Ramona up by her collar. "You took that family from me! I could've been adopted!" He yelled at her, she choked and started kicking. "Put her down! No family wants to adopt a bully! Go away!" I yelled back at him, I jumped trying to pull Ramona away from him. "Yeah?" He asked dropping her, "Whatcha gonna do about it?" He sneered, crouching down, I clenched my fists, I would not fight him. "That's what I thought, runt." He sneered, pushing me back. I didn't fall this time, he pushed me again. I stayed still, he scoffed. "Coward." He smirked, walking away. "C'mon Leslie, let's finish eating in Ms.Hasley's room." Ramona whispered, I nodded and picked my lunch up, swiping at tears I didn't remember shedding.