1Over Shoes
A/N- I am revising for loads of exams and i wanted to take a break so i wrote this. Just a little short story but i like it so here it is.
The sound of the shrill school bell could be heard even over my earphones. Immediately everyone began their slow walk towards the main doors, deciding to do the same I reach down and lift my bag off the cold concrete. Every day is the same, I walk into the school, invisible to everyone and then at the end of the day I drive home just to be ignored there as well. The second bell rings and I pick up my speed across the car park, my long brown hair getting damp as it begins to rain. I sprint the rest of the way to my classroom my shoes making an embarrassing squeaking noise the whole way.
After my double class I head towards the lunch hall tired and ready to take my seat at my usual table at the back. Walking into the hall I notice my table is not empty but occupied by a lanky boy who is just staring at the table top.
Walking to the edge of the table I clear my throat trying to get his attention away from the plastic, unfortunately he is intent on keeping his gaze away from the rest of the room. Realizing that the chances of me getting my seat back are very low I sit down opposite the boy and take out my lunch. He must be new, I recognize everyone in these halls, which would explain why he was sitting on his own. I look at his clothes; dark blue jeans accompanied by crisp blue shirt and peeking under the table, a pair of dress shoes, way to formal compared to the rest of the student body. Most people are wearing plain t-shirts, an old pair of jeans with a pair of trainers. I am also wearing casual clothes; I don't want to stand out. No wonder this boy is keeping his head down, his clothes are probably getting enough negative attention as it is. Deciding to do the polite thing, I reach across the table and tap his arm to make sure I have his attention. "Hi I'm May, you new aren't you?"
Looking at him I think I have said something wrong as he frowns down at the table again only to look up and say in quiet gentle voice "Yeah I'm new. Just came down from Pennsylvania. My name is Jack." He looks down at top of the table with a red tint to his ashen face. I can't help the smile that appears on my own
"Why'd you move down here?" I say just before taking a sip of my water. Glancing up again Jack gives me a weak smile. "I just moved here with my mother. Missouri is where she grew up." Me and Jack talked about school until the end of lunch bell rang when we went our separate ways.
After a long day the final bell echoed throughout the school, followed by sound of chairs moving against the school's wooden floors. I got up quickly shovelling my books in my bag and was out the door before anyone else; as I was walking toward my old car I heard laughing coming from behind the bike shed. Very few people where around as they where mostly still all the way back at the main doors, just leaving. Without thinking about it my feet walked the few meters from my car to the back of the small building, pausing for a second before glancing behind the shed. There stood two boys in my year all looking at what appears to be a pair of shoes, moving quietly I look around one of the boy's. On the grass lay Jacks shoes, I notice there a lot more dirty then when I saw them earlier with scratches running down the sides.
"What a nerd. Well done Jim. How'd you find out he had gym anyway?" The bigger of the two says to one standing in front of me. "Don't know Alex just saw him go into the changing rooms and thought it would be a good idea to take his shoes." Alex looks approvingly at Jim and once again congratulates him. I step back and look around the car park hoping someone will come over and stop the boys but even if someone did see they would probably only join in. My mind is telling me that I should go get in my car and drive home but I think me and Jack could be friends and friends help each other, even if they don't want to. Turning back to the boys I put on my most confident stare and walk up once again behind Jim but this time I stride an extra few steps and tap him on the shoulder. This action makes both Alex and Jim notice me and smirk. "Um, youhavemyfriend'sshoes." I say as quickly as I possibly can then look at the shoes in question, that lay only a few feet away. After about ten seconds of silence I look up and they have a confused expression on their faces, maybe I may have said that a little fast. Taking a deep breath I say slowly "You have my friend's shoes, and I would like them back. Please?" I add the please as an afterthought, they might be rude obnoxious bully's but they do have Jacks expensive looking shoes in there possession. Suddenly their laughing hysterically clutching their sides. After they have calmed down Alex looks at me as if I am an interesting bug that he is about to squish. "Look, where going to give these back but we were just going to alter them slightly. Maybe add some spray paint. You should be thanking us if your his friend, he will only get beaten up if he keeps wearing them, but hey that could be fun right Jim?" Alex finishes and looks at Jim who nods excitedly at the prospect of getting to beat Jack up. Angry I turn my back and begin walking away. Just as I'm about to turn the corner I sprint as fast as I can to the shoes and grab them and run. It must have shocked Jim and Alex as when I look behind me I see them only start running out from behind the shed. I go into the school and carry on running completely annoyed at myself for not just getting into my car and giving Jack the shoes tomorrow. The sound of the school doors reopening behind me and rapid footfalls tells me their close behind.
As I round he corner which would lead me to the other exit I run into someone. Terrified they have caught me I'm about to dart when I hear a friendly voice. "Hey May." Turning I look at Jack relived that I'm not alone, I grab his hand and pull him with me through the exit. When we get to the car he gets in without question and I drive for ten minutes before pulling into a turning.
I look over at Jack to see him staring at me baffled, I only then realize in my haste when I got into my car I threw his shoes into his lap. "Okay May, I am confused. Why did you have my shoes? And who are we running from?" I look down at his feet and notice his wearing a pair of old trainers the school owns as it's his first day he didn't bring in his kit. I then tell him what happened from me leaving the school to meeting him in the hallway. After my long explanation Jack reaches over the seat and hugs me whispering a thank you.
After ten minutes of silence Jack begins to talk quietly "They where my fathers." Jack says looking at the shoes on his lap turning them from side to side. "I always admired them; he was a doctor before he died. Killed in a hit and run, mum couldn't stand living in our old home so we moved here. My grandparents live just down the street and are tying to help her. After the funeral I went into his closet and took the shoes, I have worn them everyday since the funeral, that was three months ago. I have always been so careful not to damage them. They make me feel like me and him are still connected." A small tear trickled down his cheek and he rubbed it away forcefully.
After a couple of minutes he turned and smiled at me within seconds I was also smiling right back at him. As we drove back to school it told him about my parents divorce and the guilt I feel even though I know it wasn't my fault, I told him about the hatred my mother feels to everyone even me her only child. We got out of my car after making sure we could see no one else I walked him to his car. I was nervous that the bully's where still around and where waiting to pounce on us, and kept looking around but I knew it was unlikely we had been gone a while. I looked up at Jack and knew that he and I would be best friends, we would look out for each other in this unfair world. Saying our goodbyes we both knew that we would stick together because that's what friends do.
Please Review, so i can improve my writing.
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