The Acceptance Game

∆ The Acceptance Game ∆

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"I can read minds!" Alexis blurted out.

Wrong move, Alexis. Wrong move.

3 January 2013

Alexis Rose took a deep breath as she gathered courage and stepped into classroom C97, where she'll be spending the rest of the year at. All Alexis wanted to do was to forget about the past, but it seemed like people just wouldn't let her. Everyone was like vultures, determined to dig up even her tiniest secret and find out what exactly happened to the ever-perfect Alexis Rose.

"You can do this. Alexis, You can do it. Get ahold of yourself and let's get going!!" She mumbled under her breath.

This year would be better, or so she thought.

The moment Alexis entered, everyone paused what they were doing and scrutinized her from head to toe.

Who's this girl? What does she want? Why is she here? Isn't she from the previous year? She looks ugly.

Alexis could almost hear what they were thinking. It was more than obvious that she wasn't welcomed here. Tears threatened to pour from Alexis' eyes as she desperately hold them back. Her head started to ache so she gently rubbed her temples. Just then, a familar voice travelled across the room.

"Alexis!" Nico called out, with a comforting smile across his face. "Welcome!"

Alexis felt like she could finally breathe again. Thanks, Nico. She headed towards him without paying attention to all the stares she was getting. Right now, he was her only source of comfort and security. She needed him.

Nico was Alexis' childhood best friend until Alexis dropped out of school. He didn't know what happened. She didn't want him to know.

"Hey," she replied.

Smiles were exchanged between the two. It was rather awkward for both. They haven't seen each other since two years ago, after all.

"Um, yeah so, where's my seat?" Alexis asked, hoping to get adjusted to the class as soon as possible.

Nico kindly showed her the way. Alexis had a corner seat and next to her was a girl named Lauren, who could not stop looking at Alexis. Lauren have dark black hair that drops down to her waist, her fringe always covering one eye. She wore a school jacket an grey sweatpants. Seating in front was a guy called Daryl. Unlike Lauren, Daryl minded his own business. He's build and cool, as he spinned his pen while thinking, his legs stretched out and crossed, his feet resting on the table.

Nico grabbed a chair and sat down next to Alexis. He wanted to catch up with her. They were once best friends anyway.

"Where were you? After all that happened. Why did you suddenly vanish and now you're back? I was so excited when I saw the class list and found out that the Alexis Rose whom I know is in my class," Nico said. He cared about Alexis and he only wanted to help her. The girl who looked so distraught, a scary comparison to her past self that he was familiar with.

"Oh, I -" Alexis hesitated. She was still uncomfortable about telling someone what happened. "I dropped out of school for a year, I guess. Nice to see you again, Nico."

He caught the hint almost immediately. This girl was still afraid. Nico nodded understandingly and continued to assure her, "Well, just know that I'm here to help whenever you need it. We aren't best friends for nothing, you know."

He wished they were more than friends. But they wasn't, and he had long given up on that idea.

At that moment, the class teacher, Mrs Waters walked in. The class addressed her just by her first name, Amanda.

"I'm a fun teacher!! Just call me Amanda. It makes me feel stress free that way too!" Her bubbly personality was definitely shinning through. "Oh and we have a new friend here. Alexis Rose?"

Alexis was startled. What if she wants me to introduce myself? What do I say? I can't risk giving anything away. Oh my god, help me.

To Alexis' surprise, Amanda said, "Self introduction is stressful so we'll skip that part! Kids, please be nice to Alexis!"

She gave a huge sigh of relief.

Alexis caught Daryl stealing a glance at her by the corner of her eyes. Well, that was unexpected.