Caught in the Middle

Chapter 1: Part 1

You would think that hiding behind a book at the back of the bus could keep you hidden from the rest of the world. No... not at all .Having my head buried into a book didn't necessarily mean the world automatically halt and stop just for me. I would, within seconds, be unkindly reminded that I were on a school bus, and that high school isn't always the kindest of places.
Especially when it comes to a certain boy named Troy, in my case for that instance. And not to mention, his entourage of annoying boisterous friends who tag along where ever he goes.
Troy bellows a call to the back of the bus, capturing my attention, as he boards on to the bus with his three closest of friends. His friends clamor on inside closely behind him, staggering about, playfully jerking each other to the side. I barely look up, barely a short glimpse, knowing somehow, deep down, his attention would somehow be directed onto me... that is, considering what has been occurring over these past few weeks...
My eyes shoot back to my window, watching him from the side of my eyes carefully as they drift down slowly to my book again, careful with any slight movement that could draw his focus onto me. I could only hope he had not noticed that I were on the bus. Hope he had no intentions of moving his way to the back with his friends. But, ofcourse, yes, as usual I were wrong... and oh shit, becomes my next immediate thought, along with the thumping of my heart and the tightness in my chest... How had I not seen this coming... I should have burdened the brunt and just had walked home! I feel my cheeks begin to burn with stress.
"Yo, ugly Betty!" He bellows, throwing his hair back with one hand. And there he goes. Like a true jerk. And I cant help but begin to feel myself flare up as he says this then laughs...
My name is not Betty... nor is it Ugly, obviously. But... I guess his way of 'acknowledging' that I am a Latina who wears glasses and braces (my braces about to be removed in a weeks time, may I add!)... ok? So I guess I do resemble some form of similar traits off a character from a tv show that stars as an awkwardly shy Latina girl... I guess, such as myself... but come on... I can't help but be furious at how 'ugly' comes with the name too!
I am Latina. A poor excuse of one, I'd say, when I barely practice much of my own culture. I could never compare myself to my greek goddess of a friend, Konstantina, who knows more about my own heritage, I look pretty pathetic next to her. But you see, its not technically my fault... I did grow up with not much family around. My entire life had been us moving around since the age of five, never pretty much staying in one place for too long. The lack of stability that came with moving so frequently... well it sucked. Always having to adjust to a new place, a new environment, I'd say, it were beginning to get hard to learn to say goodbyes... and then learn to adapt into a brand new place... But none the less, my mum is cool... she is pretty easy going in comparison to what I think most mum's would usually be. My brother on the other hand... complete parasite... the biggest pest in the world... And I'd like to mention... he is the trouble maker... and sometimes the reason I get into trouble at school...
Anyway, we moved to Hilston in fall of my eighth grade, and I started at Hilston Middle school at thirteen. But that were a whole three years ago, and I'm in high school, junior year. Since then, we havent needed to move again... and I truelly hope it could stay that way.
My family. María. She's my lovely mother. Protective, and naturing, and all that I would want in a mum. But she can bite too... and she has had her fair share of days she has shown how strict she can also be. Isaac, my brother, inherited some of her stubbornness. Not like me!... Nothing like me! I'm not stubborn at all... or, ok, maybe just a little... at times... or maybe others may say I do have those certain days?
Anyway, forget me, back onto Isaac... he is what people call... annoying... or maybe that's just what I tend to call him... but he is annoying! He is older than me by a whole year. And yes, he is annoying, yes. That is all I have to say for him. Ok, besides the fact he is sort of the reason why Troy has it out for me today. Because of Isaac's irresponsibility.
Isaac... the one and only reason why Troy finds me so 'fascinating' today of all days. And Troy knows what he wants... his eyes narrows on me as he marches his way to the back.
"Ugly Betty." Troy taunts as he swings himself around to my seat, and drops himself down beside me. I scrawl at him. I only wish he'd scoot back just alittle and not squish up against my left leg, right in my face, his leg almost crushing mine, and his breath so close I could practically smell what he'd had for lunch. The boy had no concept of distancing!... And whatever he did have for lunch... I was trying to hold in my breath. I want to groan. I want to groan so hard, so I could get my point across... but I hold it in. Why does Troy have to end my day like this? Couldn't he go bother someone else? And then he'd called me ugly?! He may be part of the football team, but his no perfection himself. His mop of sweaty light brown hair is anything but... gross.
He laughs, snide in his eyes, leaning closer yet. "Your brother told me... he wouldn't stalk my girlfriend... but here he is... again... thinking he could try chatting her up at her cheerleading practice?" He sneers. His friends drop down into seats adjacent to us, Jasper leaning forward with a taunting grin. His eyes gleamer in full favour of his friend. Francó, as usual, looks bored, his sleek black hair combed back like he were part of some sort of mafia. And then there was Finn. The slightly more awkward one. At least more awkward on the bus today.
He appeared uncomfortable, a hand buried under his armpit, the other cross over his chest... he pretends not to notice my presence, avoiding eye contact at all cost, I begin to wonder if his embarrassed of his friends... or possibly the fact they had stopped to talk to me.
"Sanchez." Troy says suddenly, snapping two fingers infront of my eyes, trying to bring my focus back to him.
It's then that I feel my heart race... what does he think I am? A dog?!-my mind snaps!... Troy believes Im all quiet and passive... ready to let him step all over me... I think of how much I want to push him off his seat, stalk off the bus and flip him my middle finger... before I disappear and hop off the bus. I glare at him. I shove my book back into my bag forcefully, trying to give him the hint how furious he were starting to make me feel. I was enjoying that book! I grumble quietly in my head.
He leans closer yet. "I want you to tell your brother-"
-I cut him off-
"How about you tell him. Are you too chicken Troy?" I snap, gripping at the strap of my bag firmly. I have plans to ditch this bus and walk the almost hour to my house if I had to. Troy knows his pushing past my limits... and hell, I can sense how his enjoying it too. But even so, he pauses, a slight suprised look on his face. A wicked little smirk slowly spreads over his lips. He clicks his tongue before he scoffs an amused laugh.
"Oh shit. She talks." He grunts a laugh, turning to his friends, then back. But as his laugh begins to dwindle, his stare turns serious, intense, and slightly dark. His hand suddenly shoots out to grip to the head rest infront of me, keeping me enclosed, keeping me close in our seats. His eyes narrow on me."You know why, Gabriela?" He says as he leans in closer, pinning his brows together, locking his eyes with mine. His gaze so intense, so cold, it sends a chill down my spin. A sneer tugs to the side of his lips, appearing almost deadly. "Because he'll listen if he knows Ive been talking to his little sister." His tone dark, almost like a growl, sending further chills down my spin once more.
Usually, Troy's taunts would never really actually scare me... but this time he seemed more serious... usually his taunts would be just that... taunts. But today was different... as if he'd almost been someone else... as if something twisted inside him.. as if he'd had a plan to turn the world against me...
Cutting in on what tense air had been hung between Troy and I, I hear someone clear their throat loudly, my gaze spinning over to find it had been Finn. It snaps me right out of Troy's glare...
"Troy, man." He grunts, his voice firm. It's the first time I hear him as he says anything around me. "Really, dude? Why do you have to go and do that? Your- your kind of being too much. Maybe-" I could hear Finn try before he is suddenly stopped. Troy swoops out a hand, stopping him, eyes sweeping back to meet mine again. He glares at me, his eyes intense.
"Let your brother know... that I spoke to you today. Wont you Gabriella." A caustic tone deep in his voice. Finn grunts.
"Shit Troy." He rasps, his voice far more irritated and deep, as he locks a hand onto Troy's shoulder, attempting to turn Troy to face him.
Troy stands firmly to his feet, displaying his contempt, and is then followed slowly, awkwardly and hesitantly by Finn. The boys intensely glare at each other, sizing each other up as others begin to look on. Jasper lets out an excited snicker, sensing a fight coming on, whilst Francó's eyes widen in anticipation of the probability of a fist match happening right in front of him. Troy shoves Finn back. He slightly towers Finn as Troy steps closer again. Finn is almost a year younger, but not any less stronger, I'd imagine. "Why are you talking to her that way?" Finn questions.
"Finn, my man, am I interrupting something for you? Do you and Miss Sanchez here have something mutual going here? Or do you just like the attention... you feel like taking things further outside?" Troy grunts, wringing his knuckles and fists tightly scrunching into balls.
I begin to fidget nervously with the hem of my sleeve, not knowing what to do, my heart hammering fast in my chest. I continue to play with the hem, twisting it round in circles over and under my fingers... wondering were the hell did all my confidence suddenly go... where did it run too... My eyes widen, wondering why had this just quickly escalated... wondering how it could all be stopped... my heart pounds heavy in my chest, hard and heavy... and I feel a little panic set in...
Finn glances my way, catching my reaction. His eyes trace slowly over to my face... and I could tell he had been reading me for an answer... tracing what answers lay on my face...
"No." He says slowly, gulping down something on his thoughts. "Nah, no I don't." He finally replies, shaking his head as his eyes dart back to meet Troy who had been standing watching him.
Troy's eyes were glazed with something odd... with some sort of excitement... maybe over the prospect of a fight, his pupils dilated almost as though he were thirsty to let his fists loose, and he watches Finn carefully.
"Then what do you want then Finn?" He snarls, rattling something deep inside of me. I notice as Finn tries toning down his own glare.
The call of the bus driver is heard from the front of the bus, and everyone instantly goes to take their seats, leaving only Troy and Finn standing. Finn's gaze flickers toward me quickly. He doesn't take long to answer.
"Was just wondering if we could swap seats? I think you already had your word..." He says, clearing his throat, hoping that Troy would agree and not make things more difficult.
Troy watches him silently for a short while, before scoffing his amusement, then proceeds to pat Finn's shoulder heavily down next to me. Troy finds his own seat, roughly dropping himself into what had just been Finn's, this time not sparing me a second glance. My eyes wonder hestitantly toward Finn, noticing when his leg brushes mine as he puts down his bag between his feet. My heart seems to slow, his presence a mix of comfort and awkwardness... He sideway glimpses at me, before we both notice we are watching each other. His gaze slowly drifts to me, knowingly... and we exchange looks, shyly, before a faint thankful flustered smile spreads my lips. He returns the smile, and I feel a sense of relief... my eyes then trace to look back out the window, distracting myself with the cars and trees and houses as they blur past as the bus drives on.

But little did I know this is where my troubles begun.