The Girl With The Dice Necklace

Chapter 14- Mickey

"Emo!"

"Loser!"

"Whore!"

 Everyone laughed as I was pushed against the locker by one of the popular cheerleader's boyfriend, a jock. Big and muscular from football practice, there was no way to fight back. I watched several people take out sticky notes, writing words and names like the ones I'd just been called. The bell rang, allowing me to be let go. I hurried past everyone, who stuck their sticky notes to me.

      I looked to see which new names I got today. Just the usual, 'Emo', 'goth', 'whore', 'loser', 'gay'. Obviously homosexual is now an offensive name apparently. God forbid someone find love.

      I started taking all the sticky notes off as I walked clumsily through the hallway. Finally, I gave up, allowing the names to stick all over me. In my hair, on my face, on my clothes and all over my backpack.

     I entered history class just before the bell rang. My history teacher gave me a scornful look from across the room, as if I WANTED these embarrassing names stuck to me every other day! She looked at me as if all this was some class-clown joke! I guess maybe it was to everyone else but me. I guess it's for the greater good that I accept these shameful names. For the good of everyone else's laughs and enjoyment.

     I pushed through the desks, quietly slipping apologizes as I knocked pencils and forgotten homework off the desks. I looked down at the ground, avoiding all eye contact with anyone, absolutely ashamed. Everyone stared and laughed at me, agreeing with the titles stuck on me. From the back of the room Amber gave me an apologetic look of sympathy. I was not looking for sympathy, I was looking for the nearest exit out of my alarmingly increasing embarrassment.

     My lovely history teacher gave me a look that read 'take those sticky notes off and stop distracting the class'. I took out my books and turned to a random page. I took out a pencil and notebook and started doodling, burying myself in the notebook. Our teacher began her usual morning spiel about who-knows-what. I pretended to be interested and tried to be on my best behavior, hopefully making up for the morning incident.

      "Nice outfit" sly comments hovered around the room as we were dismissed after class. I stuck out my tongue at some, at others I gave a meaningful death glare that meant "fuck off, I don't wanna put up with you today".

     A light touch on the shoulder caused me to turn around, looking in the face of my friend Mickey.

"You okay?" He asked, looking probably at the sticky notes and the bruises from that jock.

"I'm fabulous." I said cold and sarcastically, walking off down the back staircase that was less crowded than the other.

"Here, Audrey, let me help you." He offered, ripping notes out of my hair gently.

"Thanks but I really don't care anymore. This is the second time this week. I haven't got the energy to care."

"But I care." He said as he pulled off notes and balled them up, like a mother bird caring for the younger.

    We walked off, both of us on our way to math class with the horrid Mr. Harrison. Mickey and I slid in the doorway just as the late bell rang, earning a look of bitter disapproval from Mr. Harrison. He knew he couldn't scold us for being barely on time; and lord knows how much he loves to pick on a kid.

"Good morning Mis Grey. I see you have selected an interesting wardrobe of clothing." Mr. Harrison said, referring to the remaining notes stuck to me. The class laughed even harder when they heard his greeting.

"Yes, I call it 'My Life in Shades of Yellow Sticky Notes'." I threw back  for him to chew on. Without waiting for his response I walked to a seat in the back next to Amber. She pulled more and more off of me while I ignored her, not caring and too lazy to help.

"Okay class, please open your books to page 289..."