Somewhere there is a Perfect Girl...

Somewhere ch-2

That first day went much like I expected. Waking up to the smell of strong coffee drifting through our small home brought a smile to my face. Holding my eyes closed I could almost imagine I was somewhere normal. Dad's cussing broke that spell quickly.

"Damn-it, Sam get your ass in here and fix this fucking thing!" His voice was rough.

Dragging myself up from the mattress I hurried to help; not wanting him to cause a fight this morning. He stood in front of the kitchen counter holding a coffee mug. Coffee was dripping off the counter top as the filter run over not allowing any coffee to drip down. As I made a fresh pot of coffee I tried to speak to him.

"It'll be ready in about ten minutes Dad."

Sitting down at the table he propped up on his arm looking half drunk still. Lighting a cigarette before speaking, "Sure."

"I have to jump in the shower. Do you need something to eat?" I know this situation was backwards but I tried.

"No, I'm fine. You want me to drop you off at school?"

Shocked by his sudden parental moment I had to think about my words before I could speak. "No, I'll just get the bus so the driver will know where to stop tomorrow."

 He didn't seem to care either way but I really didn't want to show up to this new school in his old pick up. It back fired often and had two different colored doors not to mention the rust covering the body. I just want to fall under the radar at this place. Turning on my heels I rushed to get ready. My outfit was not high dollar fashion but I was better than I had had. A girl down the lane had a yard sale last month and I had managed to get some decent clothes. She was almost my size but most of the clothes were too trashy for my taste. So I managed a few pairs of jeans and a couple tops. Mixing them in with my own things made for a few outfits.

Jumping in the shower I shuddered as the water spat coldly out at me. I didn't do make up but I fixed my hair up in a high pony tail with a simple band. Standing there looking in the bathroom mirror I looked into my own face. It was nothing special; my nose was not too big but my eyes were with long lashes. My hair was just as plain as you could get being a deep brown with streaks of red from the sun highlighting spots. The sun had caused a few freckles to scatter across my cheeks too. It would have to do.

The bus stopped at the end of the trailer park so I walked slowly down the lane. Not many people were stirring this early but a few families hustled small children out the door. I had not noticed any teenagers close by but then again I tended to stay to myself for the most part. The highway met with the entrance to the trailer park causing cars to wiz by. There was no bench or anything but I wiped off a section of the guardrail and sat down. Cars unloaded kids as they exited and some mothers held the hands of tiny preschoolers. The younger kids loaded on to a bus as I still waited for mine.

The smell of diesel flooded my nose as the door swung open to that bright yellow bus. A friendly looking woman sat at the wheel smiling as I climbed the stairs. "Samantha Jolene Jones?" God I cringed at the sound of my name. "Yeah, but you can call me Sammie." Studying the rows of seats I looked for an empty one. Smiling girls and guys all talking over each other blended into one massive noise. Swinging my self into the first seat that I came to, I sunk down sighing. The kids all sported new shoes and name brand clothes as they text-ed and chatted on new phones. They all laughed and giggled at there own jokes. No one bothered to speak to me though a few girls eyed me curiously. Nervously I fidgeted with my notebook and pen. Everyone's perfumes and hair gels mixed with the fuel smell causing my stomach to turn as the bus pushed forward.

The noise level grew louder as we all departed the bus. Screams of delighted and calls 'Oh man' rang out all around me as old friends spotted one another. Trying to keep my eyes from locking with anyone I moved on to the lobby. I had found from the past that teenagers were a lot like wild animals; the more eye contact you make the more likely you are to get attacked. Everyone seemed so tall here. I had grown a few inches over the past year now standing at 5' 4". Looking at the guys pushing past me they all looked over six foot and the girls were just as bad. They all sported tiny skirts or skimpy shorts showing off long toned legs with fake tans. Good God what was in the water here making all the kids turn into amazons? Shaking my head slightly I relaxed a bit. Skipping breakfast and the crowds in the cafeteria I decided to tempt fate with my locker combination.

That's when I saw the normal kids. They had like me dodged the crowd and opted for solitude in the halls. A few couples made out in the still fresh halls. The paint had been applied recently leaving that faint odor behind. By a water cooler a group of guys with piercing and baggy clothes stood grumbling about things. Some would be considered nerdy with there glasses and shy faces. Others were just like me trying to blend in with everyone else. No one made any effort to speak to me there either. My worn shoes squeaked against the tiles as I stopped to examine the lock. Twisting the knob on way then the other before it popped open to my surprise. Not really having anything to put in it I closed it back with a smile. Maybe today wouldn't be so bad?

The rest of the day was a hustle of bodies in the long halls. Nervous freshmen stood out as they all seemed to have that lost look. I had been considered a freshman by a few people as well. The principal had held an assembly welcoming us all here. His name was Mr. Phelps, a short bald man in his late forties I guessed with a nervous twitch to his hand. The first few classes were uneventful with it being the first day we mainly just got assigned books. I had spoken to those who spoke first and always gave weak little smiles in attempt to be polite. My attempts to blend in were tossed aside during lunch though.

Looking at the sea of tables I hoped to spot a small empty one, no luck there. Haven taking a bagged lunch instead of a tray of mystery meats I was free to roam a little. The gym door stood open at the end of the hall. Moving inside the gym I noticed a few people talking to what I supposed was the basket ball coach. The bleachers held a few other groups of people talking and passing around papers I assumed some types of clubs. Walking quietly to the side where a large stack of tumbling mates. Sitting myself down by sliding to the floor. The sandwich sat unopened in the bag as I listened to the people around me.

Some were whinnying and others excited to be there almost squealing out to each other. Really it was very nauseating hearing them. After popping the lid off my water I sat it next to me and eased my hand into the bag. Only my sandwich had sprouted fur and wiggled around under my hand. Rat! I had dealt with a variety of pest in my low rent housing but I hated those the most.

"Nasty ass rat!"

Screaming out uncontrollably as I jumped up. The water bottle managed to topple over spilling across the wood floor. One foot went one direction as the other slid uncontrollably forward making me do a very unnatural split. I was never very athletic or graceful but now I fell back like a tangled puppet. The underside of the bleachers cracked into my skull causing immediate pain to rush into my head.

To my surprise two large hands held my back keeping me from fully landing. A chuckle filled the air as I looked up into the person's face. Amazing deep blue eyes held laughter. A guy, a very hot guy holding a cigarette between his lips as he smiled looked back. My own eyes closed tightly trying to wish away the past few moments.

"Aden!" a voice huffed from the opening.

Oh God please let me die now. A small crowd of people stood around and a few hung over the side of the bleachers. The voice belonged to a very agitated basketball coach. Some laughed others just snickered at me. As I quickly tried to find my footing another voice called out.

"Did you hurt Pinky?" A small figured girl with large framed glasses hung over the side causing her pale blonde hair to fall forward.