Grace
I rush around my bathroom, trying to get ready with the amount of time left before I have to leave to catch the bus. So far, my sweater was on, no pants, but I had socks. When I left my room for my shower I had grabbed the essentials; underwear, hair tie, and a towel. Reaching into my dresser to get clothes, the thought of pants hadn't crossed my mind.
So now, here I am. Distracting myself with my plain honey colored hair, waiting for my dad to leave the house so that I can cross the hallway without fear of him catching me. Touching the little curls that form at my ends, I playfully pick some up and place them right in front of my shoulder so that I can flip it like some girls at my school do. Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I do it, I let out a small laugh at how ridiculous I look.
Next thing I know the sound of the front door slamming in literally shakes the house a little bit and Im snapped out of my moment. With my mind back on track, I hurry out of the bathroom and into my room, still scared that someone will see even though no one is home.
I grab a pair of grey jeans and slip on my regular pair of converse, and then spritz some perfume. Looking at the time, my heartbeat quickens seeing that I have less than thirty minutes to get to school. Although I wasn't walking to school today, I still had to make sure I was at the bus stop on time and if I didn't leave the house in five minutes I definitely wouldn't make it.
Jogging down the stairs to grab my bag and fall jacket, I grab a small water bottle from the fridge and an apple, and make my way out to bus stop.
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The bus ride was boring as usual. Nothing happened and nothing ever happens. The bus always stops three blocks away from the school but thats just because it's a regular bus and not a school bus.
My feet drag along the gravel as my eyes focus on the rusty orangey red brick colored building with the words Monroe Trent High School along one of the front walls in big white letters. My lips instantly form into a frown as I reach the block of the school. Its almost as if all the bruises on my body that ever happened when I was here instantly burn and my heart feels heavy.
I just don't want to be here.
I always feel as if everyone is staring at me, even if they're not. Its just become natural to me, feeling as if everyone is always picking out every flaw and imperfection, judging me, and thats just because its true. I know I can't be the only target. But thats what it feels like.
Walking into school every day is overwhelming, I have a list mentally hammered into my brain on who to avoid.
1) Ethan.
2) Ethan's cronies.
3) Overdramatic girls.
4) Sleazy druggies.
5) Anyone who seemed capable of killing me or mentally screwing with my brain.
Though as much as I tried it's hard. Scratch that, it's not hard. It's impossible.
Quietly walking through the sea of people meeting up with their friends, shouting greetings, and walking to their lockers, I reach mine and switch in and out the necessary books. This includes my world history textbook, and calculus textbook. Once I've gathered what I need, silently closing my locker and managing my books in my hands I make my way to my first period class. English.
English is my best subject, and most possibly my favorite. I walk into class early waiting for the rest of the students to arrive.
Two girls, one with brown hair, and one with blonde walk into the room, giggling at everything they say. The blonde girl eyes me suspiciously as she quietly whispers something to her friend and the urge to lift my hoodie's collar up around my face grows.
They both take a seat behind me as the rest of the classroom starts to fill up. Sometime in between the middle of the lesson, while Mr.Hoffman is pulling up documents on the projector board, the whispers and giggles behind me starts up again.
I can hear one of them move their chair forward, the loud sound screeching against the floor, and lean in next to me. I turn my head the slightest bit, and catch a glance to see its the blonde girl.
"Is it true that you're like, Ethan's slut?" She asks her voice feigning fake innocence.
I don't reply, and simply bite down on my bottom lip trying to concentrate on the lesson instead of her comment.
"Is it? It probably is." The other girl says lowly.
"Oh really? So if you've been with him before then what is he like? Is he big?" The blonde girl pushes.
I internally gag, trying to keep down the apple I ate on the bus. Never once have I ever done something like that. I'd rather burn myself alive at the stake than ever be with Ethan in that way.
"Do you even know how to respond?" The other girl asks.
"Does it matter? " The blonde replies dryly. "If she can get with someone as attractive as Ethan, even if she is low standard, then I can definitely get with him. I mean honestly, look at me and then look at mutey over here. I've set the standard well above high." She states confidence dripping off her tongue.
I cross my arms and slump down on my desk, mentally giving up. As if I would ever be attracted to Ethan in that sort of way. He's nothing but a complete monster, inside and out. I stare at the board, currently displaying a powerpoint full of notes that I'm supposed to be writing down. Too bad I'm distracted by the conversation going on behind me. From what I hear, it's clear they're no longer on the topic of me, and instead conversing about Ethan.
After listening about one of them describe in depth how hot Ethan is, I learn that the blonde's name is Aubrey, and the brunette's is Jamie.
"Maybe I'll sit next to him in Chemistry today, see if he's interested." Aubrey says.
"Of course he'll be interested, before you know it you guys will be married and having kids."
I'll pray for you Aubrey, seriously.
"Only if we last that long. You know how certain sluts meddle with relationships." She emphasizes on the word 'sluts' as if she's trying extra hard for me to know she's talking to me.
"Well duh Aubrey, thats why you get to them before they can get to your relationship. You let them know not to interfere with you or your man." Jamie responds.
"Trust me Jamie, any bitch that would try to mess up my relationship would seriously regret it." Aubrey states, kicking my chair with her foot. "That one was directed to you, mute." She spits bitterly.
She gives my chair another kick and my hand flies up as a reflex. Mr.Hoffman pauses his lecture and looks at me.
"Yes Grace?"
"Um, May I please be excused, I need to use the bathroom." My voice cracks somewhere during my sentence. When Mr.Hoffman nods and points to the pass, I quickly drape my bag across my shoulder, grab the pass and leave without looking at anyone.
As soon as the classroom door shuts my eyes start to feel glassy. I just can't help the way my body reacts to things like that. I'm just too sensitive. It's become routine for the slightest comment to bring tears. It doesn't matter if it's something I've heard a million times, every single day. No matter how many times I hear it, I'll never become used to it. People barely even know me and already think they've figured me out.
A low standard slutty bitch. That's what everyone thinks.
Tears fall from my eyes and I honestly feel like slapping myself for crying. Why am I crying over some girl who tried to warn me about her non-existent relationship with Ethan? The sound of footsteps invade my thoughts and I look up alerted. Looking up at the figure I realize it's him.
The guy from the room. The one who almost ran me over.
He's staring down at his phone intensely typing on the keyboard. He walks quickly and gets closer and closer. I start panicking, frantically wiping my tears and looking around for a place to hide. When I turn around to look and spot a small corner, it's too late.
He walks straight into me.
"What the hell?" He stares at me for a couple seconds and then reaches over my body to grab his phone that fell. I scramble to get up and readjust my bag.
My plan to quickly walk away fails when he grabs my arm pulling me back. I hiss at the sudden contact against my already bruised skin. He stands in front of me and tilts my chin up making my eyes come in contact with his. His green eyes stare me up and down, more likely examining my face.
A wince escape my mouth when I attempt to leave once again but his grip tightens.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" He asks huskily. My eyes dart around everywhere, looking anywhere but him as he pulls me closer.
"You look really familiar." I shake my head wearily trying to get out of his grasp.
"I don't know you." I lie. "Please, let me go."
He doesn't let go, but loosens his grip as his phone starts chiming. Sliding the accept button, he answers.
"Yeah?"
I don't hear the person on the other end fully, but I do catch the words 'hurry up' in a feminine voice.
"Don't worry babe. I'll be there." He says.
I jerk my hand slightly, still trying to escape and his eyes narrow down at me.
"Look, I gotta go. Give me five minutes I'll be there." And then he clicks his phone off. "What's your name?"
I don't respond. He's one of Ethan's friends. He's probably just like him. Instead I stare down at the floor, ignoring him nudging away my arm from his hand. He huffs at my lack of response before dropping my arm. I quietly rub the sore spot on my arm before turning around to walk away.
"Wait." I hear him call out.
I should've kept walking but instead I stopped and turned around.
"I'm Logan. I'll see you around no name." He says before turning around and walking away.
I stare at his retreating figure. Logan, I think while looking down. Number 6 on the list. Aubrey could be number 7.
Click on 'external link' down below if you would like to see what Aubrey looks like. Hoping this chapter makes up for the last crappy one. Woo for double updates. Please leave comments, I love hearing feedback and knowing what you guys think about the chapter and what you expect to see.