AP Literature ends too soon, which means I have to go to PE now. Slowly, I drag myself towards the locker rooms to change. There's nobody in this class that I know, which is going to really suck. Yesterday I got lost and just skipped the class altogether, so its technically my first day.
The locker rooms come into sight so I take a deep breath, grab the door handle, and pull. Surprisingly, it's empty when I walk inside. I'm a couple minutes late which explains it. This is actually better for me because now I can change without worrying about people watching me or seeing my scars.
I slip on my black shorts and top then walk into the gym. The teacher is in the middle of explaining the rules to dodgeball, but pauses when he sees me walk in.
To break the awkward silence I talk first. "Hi, my names Bailey and I'm new here. This is my first class."
"Okay, you may take a seat anywhere on the mats." He tells me strictly, nodding to where all the kids are sitting.
My eyes scan the area for a spot that shouldn't be too horrible. Reluctantly, I walk over to sit next to a girl with blonde hair, and tons of makeup on, so basically, she's Barbie.
I know, I know, why would I pick this spot of all places. The answer to your question is the fact that I'm supposed to be the good girl, which means I have to hang out with some.
Just as I'm about to sit down Barbie decides to speak.
"Sorry, but you're not allowed to sit here. You don't meet our standards." She smirks at me, showing her perfectly whitened teeth.
"And what would those be?" I grit my teeth, trying to keep myself calm.
"Well, you know; first, you have to be insanely pretty, second, you need to wear designer clothes, and lastly, you need to be, well, rich." She states like everyone knows what she's talking about.
"Oh so you mean I have to wear pounds of makeup, dress like a slut, and use all of daddy's money? Then I don't even want to sit here." I give her the most fake style I can muster.
"What did you just say to me?" She sneers, standing up and getting in my face.
"I think you heard me just fine." I reply, turning on my heal to find a different spot.
"You'll regret saying that to me." She calls, stopping me in my tracks.
"Wow, I'm cowering in my seat." I say dryly, then spinning back around.
People like her drive me absolutely crazy. Anyone who thinks that those qualities make them better than everyone else is an idiot. With a sigh I plop down in a corner and take out my phone. Since the teacher doesn't seem to care about anything that just happened, I doubt he'll care about this.
The kids go into a game of dodgeball and around an hour later he blows the whistle and dismisses us all. I rush to the locker room to get there first and grab my clothes. I've watched way to many movies to know that they'll take all my things leaving me naked and running around the school.
I scoop up my clothes and head into the bathroom stall to slip them on. Once I'm done I wait until everyone leaves then to AP Chemistry. Yay. Braiden's in this class, but for once I'm glad that Mr. Meade made us sit opposite from each other.
I walk into the class only to find that Braiden isn't here yet. Thank goodness. I make my way to my seat then open my notebook to the page I was on yesterday, taking the notes on the board. A warm breath on my ear causes me to stop writing. At first I think it's Braiden until they talk.
"Are you going to the party tonight?" Mr. Meade's voice sends a chill down my spine.
"Why does it matter to you?" I squeak out, going back to writing.
"I'm just curious." He replies, standing up straighter.
"Well, I don't feel like telling you."
Instead of answering me back he just smiles and starts to teach the lesson. Braiden walks in just as he begins, but I don't even acknowledge him.
The class drags by, but when the bell rings I rush out of there to lunch. Alice waves me over to their table and I gladly sit down.
"Hi!" She chirps with a bright smile, which falls slightly. "Where's you're cousin?"
"He decided that he wanted to sit somewhere else today." I explain to her, causing a look of disappointment to show on her face.
"Oh, that's fine I guess. So, are you ready for the party tonight?" She pumps her fist in the air and I chuckle.
"Not really, I've never been to one before."
She stares at me with her mouth hanging open. "You've never been to a party before? Don't worry, I've got your back. You're coming home with me after school and we're going to get you ready."
"Do I have to?" I whine, sticking my lip out like a baby.
"Yes, you do." She raises an eyebrow as a challenge and I back down.
"Fine." I mumble turning to the twins. "You guys are coming with Alice and I to a party tonight."
"We are?" They both respond at the same time.
"You are." I order causing them to squeal like toddlers. "So what do people usually-"
I stop when I see the Barbie from gym walk in with her arms around Braiden. She's talking his ear off about something, but he doesn't seem to interested. Well, he didn't until he see's me, then he starts smiling and talking back to her.
"Oh, that's who your cousin went to sit next to?" Alice asks with a look of disgust on her face.
"Yup." I pop the "p" and stare down at my food, pushing it around on my plate.
"Her names Stacy," Claire pipes in, "she's the schools Queen Bitch."
"Yeah, and her friends over there are either jocks or fake girls." Stella adds, pointing to the table they're all sat down at.
I don't recognize many people, only Steven and Riley and of course Braiden who is still holding Stacy. My stomach bubbles with anger when I see the two of them together. Sure, we might be fighting, but that doesn't mean he has to go stab me in the back and hang out with the meanest girl in the school.
"Hey Bailey, are you alright?" Caleb's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
"What do you mean?" I tear my eyes away from Braiden to look at him.
"Well, the apple in your hands didn't do anything to you." He points down to my hands and I realize that I'm squeezing the life out of it.
"Oh, no, I'm totally fine." I reply, sending him a fake smile.
The rest of the group gives me curious stares, but silently goes back to their food. When the bell rings I leave the cafeteria as quickly as possible to get the sight of Braiden and Stacy out of my eyes. Great, now I have to go burn my retinas.
The rest of my classes go by fairly fast, most of them just like the others. I finally get to choir and feel like for once the day is looking up.
"Okay class, today we are auditioning for a solo to the song A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. If you would like to try out stand on the left side of he room." The teacher instructs and I immediately walk over to the right side.
I love singing and A Thousand Years is one of my favorite songs, but I don't have the guts to sing in front of people. It turns out that everyone is auditioning for the song, which leaves just me on the left side. Granted there's only around twenty people in the whole choir, but still.
One by one kids try out, and as each student sings I want to rip my ears off even more. Honestly, I would rather listen to nails on a chalkboard than this. Okay, maybe I'm over exaggerating a little bit, but for some reason they all think they're Beyoncé or something.
After each kid is done singing they walk off with giant smiles on their faces and we're all forced to clap. One painstaking hour later everyone finishes.
"Alright, well that was... interesting." The teacher stands, clapping her hands together. "I've decided that-"
Ring. Ring.
Yes, that was my phone going off and yes, I'm more red than a perfectly ripened tomato.
"Well hello there. You must be the new student here, Bailey?" She asks, sending me a warm smile.
Her auburn curls just hit her shoulders and her eyes crinkle in the corners when she smiles.
"Yes ma'am." I reply, returning her smile.
"Well it's very nice to meet you Bailey." She turns to the rest of the kids, but then back to me. "Bailey, would you like to try out for the solo? You look like a singer."
"Oh no, I mean I like to sing, but I'm not big on doing it in front of people." I stammer, wringing my hands together in front of me.
"That's nonsense, nobody here's going to judge you, isn't that right class?" Everyone nods their heads in response. "See? Now c'mon, let's see what you got."
She walks over to the wooden piano and takes a seat. Just as I'm about to protest, the music starts playing. She nods her head for me to begin and I let out a sigh then let the music carry me.
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt, suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
I have died everyday, waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything, take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath, every hour has come to this
One step closer
I finish the rest of the song and by the end have tears in my eyes. Singing always reminds me of my mom, she loved it just as much as I do. When I look around the class everyone is staring at me with their eyes wide and mouths open. The teacher who I now know as Mrs. Dell, is staring at me and smiling from ear to ear.
"Well, I think we've found our soloist. Congratulations Bailey." She happily tells me, stepping out from behind the piano.
I stand dumbstruck that I actually got it. "Wait what? I'm not good enough to get a solo!"
"Trust me honey, you're more than good enough. I haven't heard a student that well in a long time. So what do you say?"
"Say yes!" A random voice from the back of the room shouts.
Her smiling face looking up at me and all the hopeful looks on the students faces causes me to give in.
"Ugh, fine." I huff causing the class to erupt into cheers.
A grin replaces the frown on my face and I take a seat with everyone. They're all patting me on the back and giving me thumbs up. For he rest of the class we sing some of our favorite songs and just goof off and have a good time.
Thank goodness for music. It brightens our day when we're sad, helps us through the hardest times of our lives, and brings us together when we need each other the most. Lots of people stereotype those in choir or band as nerds or weirdos, but I've learned that they're some of the nicest people we meet. They don't judge people or disclude them, it doesn't matter who you are, just that you're a good person.
At least I have one class to look forward to. I leave school in a slightly better mood than what I came in with.