Chapter One

How could they do this to me?

The hallway was air-tight.  I found myself holding my breath, as if there was barely any air left to use.  Seniors, Sophomores, Juniors, and even some Freshmen forced their way through the crowd.  I walked with my textbooks tight to my chest, shrinking down as small as I could to avoid making physical contact with anyone.  I brushed back the strand of black dyed hair covering my eyes, tucking it behind my ear.

The sea of high schoolers finally deposited me at the entrance to my hallway.  I scurried to my locker as fast as I possibly could, trying to go completely unnoticed.  Thankfully, everyone else was too busy chatting with their friends to notice me pas.sing.  As I attempted to remember my combination, I wondered idly if anyone had forgotten about the rumor.  I hadn't heard anything yet, so it was possible.  Then again, maybe they just didn't care about me.

Once I had gotten my things for the next few periods, I made my way into homeroom and seated myself in the middle seat in the middle row.  After years of trying to hide, I found that the back of the room draws even more attention than the front.  Mrs. Jacobs began role call, calling most names twice over the loudness of the group.

Lunch period came and went, and soon I was on the bus reading my book.  As usual, about half of the students remained out front of the school talking with friends, some fights ensuing, but nothing major today.  I remained silent as the bus was filled with screeches and hollers, not making a sound until I had to get off the bus.

As I walked off the bus, I recieved the usual stares.  A senior in the front blocked my path off the bus, stretching out his arms.

"How about a hug?" He smirked, glancing at his friends laughing behind him. 

"Go away," I muttered, pas.sing him.  The entire bus 'Oohed', laughing hysterically at the senior boy.  How could my parents send me to school in the midst of my troubles?  They knew how anxious I had been since it happened.  And yet, they didn't care.  It was just another monotonous day at school that couldn't prepare me for the hostility I was about to face at home.

(Good night, posting more later)