14There is the school. Squatting there, daring me to enter. I remember the first day, well, it was yesterday really. Everyone had laughed at me; scorned me; leered at me; or, in the worst cases, bullied me. The bruises are starting to show, and I have yet to think of a proper excuse to tell the teachers.
Remembering my old school, I feel tears gathering in the corners of my eyes. That would never have happened at my old school. I dash the tears away angrily,using the motion to banish thememories away at the same time.
I wipe my hands on my school dress, reminding myself the second days are always better than first. A little voice in the back of my mind pointed out that any day would be better than yesterday. My head nods vigorously in agreement.
I straightened, putting my worries aside, mentally placing my doubts in a little box. That over and done with, I walk into the school.
I know where the Homeroom was now, and I walk towards it, my steps faltering as everyone in the hall turned to stare. Mind your own business! I want to shout, but I won't; I'm not brave enough. Wistfully, I remember Gina, who would have made hundreds of friends and scoffed those who scorned her. Gina was brave, confident. Not like me. Again, I push away memories of my old school, my old friends; bothare in the past. Dwelling there now will not help me.
Today, unlike yesterday, I am early. I think it will be better than coming in late, like I did yesterday: everybody staring at me, the gum in their mouths getting shoved from cheek to cheek, perfect in their impersonation of witless cows out at pasture.
Entering the room, I look at the rows of chairs. Where to sit? If a sit at the front, people will think that I am a nerd. However, if I sit in the back, the people there will think that I am trying to ingratiate myself with them.
I don't know how long I stood there, clutching my books, indecision freezing my mind, but finally an idea presented itself. It was one that should have been apparent imediatly, but I'm not in the best state of mind.I move to the second row. There should be no problem with me sitting there. Seating myself comfortably, I wait.
I start to regret coming early as the first student arrived. He stares at me, as if I was some weirdo who would leap at him with a knife. He stood still and then scuttled toward the front of the room, sitting as far away from me as he could.
The other students started to arrive. They stared at me as well. Just gawked. A couple remembered me, and smiled nastily. They treat me as if I'm a freak. It would be better if they just ignored me. But they stare, and then they hassle. I glare at them, why can't they just leave me alone?!
I look sourly at the desk as the teacher comes in, telling us where we need to go. I barely listen; too absorbed in my own misery.
"The Oesophagus uses a muscle action known as Peristalsis to get food from the mouth to the stomach. The stomach acts as a mixer, blending and digesti-" Science is the last period of the day, and therefore, is interrupted by the end of school bell. As it sings out the toll of freedom, I jump up; as I would in my old school, then sit down again, remembering where I am. I watch the others stream past.
It was hardly better today. Some of the boys are still leering at me. The girls whisper behind their hands. I look down at my books again, wishing I could disappear. I hate them then, so sure of themselves in their own territory. When the last one leaves, I get my books and walk out.
I shake my head at my folly. My notion that I was going to be accepted. I laugh bitterly. I start to walk home, following the path I had memorised yesterday. The tar is hot, sweltering patches of heat nearly melting my sneakers. The bag on my back is heavy and my mood is foul. Muttering, my temper swinging from anger to self-pity, I walk home.
I walk in through the door. Dad is already waiting there. He sees straight away from my expression that I am unhappy, but he evidently has had good news. I am about to ask him when an arm snakes around my waist, hoisting me up into the air in a bear hug.
I look around as my feet leave the ground, and see a patch of mussy blonde hair, "Liam!" I shout eagerly, hugging my cousin hard around the shoulders as he laughs.
"I take it you missed me a little bit?" he asked, blue eyes twinkling merrily.
I punch him half-heartedly on the shoulder. "Of course not!" I exclaim, "I missed you a lot!" his laugh shakes the ceiling.
Then his good mood darkened, "Your father told me you were unhappy," he said softly, "So I have something that might help you a bit." He looked back at Dad cautiously, but Dad had started cooking dinner and did not hear him.
It struck me that he was talking like a conspirator, looking warily this way and that. I wondered what had prompted such caution, then I shrug; I trust my cousin: he is my closest confidant, and the closest thing I have to a brother.
When he turns and walks out of the house, I follow, waving a good-bye to a beaming father. I tag behind him as we walk to his car, and hop in after him. As we are driving, I tell him of school; of my troubles; of my doubts; how homesick I am. If I were talking to anyone else, I would think of it as whining, but not when I am talking to Liam. Liam understands.
He stops at a bridge overlooking a gorge. He seems to have come to a decision. Getting out after him, I look over the edge. There are rocks hundreds of feet below. I look to my cousin again, puzzled. As my gaze travels to where his is, I understand, and my breath catches in my throat.
I look back at him, knowing what I am going to do, "Thank you," I say, grateful for his consideration. He says nothing, just shakes his head and walks with me to the edge.
I lose myself in thought for a while: savouring my memories of the past; accepting what I am going to do. Liam stands silently at my side.
A few minutes later, he stirs, "Ready?" he asks.
I nod slowly. Taking a deep breath, I relish the life in the air around me. I try not to think about what I am going to do, about the gap before me. It is not hard; my mind shies away naturally.
"If you are ready, then go," Liam urges, "Go now, don't lose your courage."
Grasping the last part of my determination, I jump out over the drop.
Gravity had missed me. Hugging my shoulders, it drew me down; down towards the rocks hundreds of feet below. I scream and the wind steals the sound from my mouth before I hear it.
Snap! My body whiplashes, the rope around my feet jolting me back from the rocks, up into the air again. I give a shout of elation before the exhilaration of falling renders me speechless again. As I swing, I put all thoughts of school from my mind. Regrets are dealt with. Everything is in the past. But now, I am alive.
A/N: Like the twist? This one was also done last year, or long enough ago to be there... in about six days it will be :D