Life Changing

Chapter 2

For a moment, Raini just gave Jolly a blank stare.

"That's your name?" she asked, hiding a small smile. Then she crossed her arms. "There's no way. You don't seem very jolly." He just rolled his eyes.

"Yeah I get that a lot," Jolly said. 

"So what is your real name?" Raini asked him.

"Don't worry about it," Jolly answered, snickering. "A story for another day." Then Jolly started walking down the hall and out the door. Raini didn't know what came over her, but before he walked out, she quickly ran up to him.

"Hey wait," she called out. "Why don't we walk to class together?" Jolly turned his head slightly and chuckled.

"Sorry princess," he said, followed by a wink. "I have other plans that are much more important than class right now."

"So you're ditching?" she asked.

"You could call it that," Jolly responded with a small smile. For a moment, Raini could see his smile was genuine, but it ended as soon as it started.

"Can I go with you?" Jolly froze.

"No you can't," he said.

"Why?" Jolly smirked.

"Miss goody two shoes probably shouldn't ditch school," he responded. Raini didn't respond after that. She just watched him walk out the door and towards a motorcycle parked in the school parking lot. As he drove off, Raini sighed as she shook her head. Then she headed to class.

What the hell is wrong with me? Raini thought to herself. Walking in the classroom, Raini quickly and quietly sat down in her seat. The teacher looked up and immediately noticed.

"Glad you could join us Ms. Rodrigues," she said. Raini did not respond. Then the teacher sighed.

"I'll talk to you after class," she said. The whole class started whispering as the teacher continued the lesson. 

After class, Raini stood up and slowly went over to the teacher's desk. The teacher took off her glasses and looked up at Raini. 

"Why were you late to class today?" she asked. Raini didn't know how to answer that question. She knew that almost none of the teachers liked Jolly in the slightest. He was known as the school rebel who did not give a crap about anyone or anything. However Raini knew that she could not tell a lie. She was a good student who never got into trouble. So she took a deep breath.

"I was talking to Jolly," she responded. "And I wanted to try and make sure he went to class. I didn't know he was ditching." The teacher gave a small but almost sad smile.

"You are very sweet," she said. "But that is how he is. There's no changing him. If he wants to ditch instead of get a good education, there isn't much we can do." Raini just looked down. The way the teacher described him, was a kid that everyone just gave up on. She felt that Jolly deserved to at least have a friend. 

"Well thank you ma'am," Raini said. "See you tomorrow." Then Raini walked out. Even though it was second period, something inside Raini's head told her to find Jolly. In order to find him, she went and asked Fallin.

"Do you know where Jolly goes when he ditches school?" Raini asked. Fallin just gave her a confused look.

"Why are you so interested in the school rebel all of a sudden?" she asked.

"It's hard to explain. But I want to give him a chance," Raini answered. "He just seems like he needs a friend." Fallin shook her head and chuckled.

"You're a good person Raini I'll give you that," Fallin said. She crossed her arms. "He goes to the park down the street and listens to music I assume. Just sitting alone."

"Could you give me a ride?" Raini asked. 

"Sure but lets be quick please," Fallin answered. "I have a quiz today." Then Raini and Fallin ran out, got in Fallin's car and drove to the park. At the park, it was pretty dead, but peaceful. The playground was obviously empty and quiet and birds were chilling on the tables and benches. After looking around for a minute, Raini found Jolly sitting on a bench with his headphones on just as Fallin said. As Raini was getting out of the car, she noticed a couple other guys walking up to Jolly. He took his headphones off as they walked up. Even though they were talking, Raini could not hear what they were saying. Until about a minute of them talking, one of them suddenly slapped Jolly in the face. Seeing that took Raini by surprise, so she quickly walked up to the group of guys. 

"What the heck is wrong with you?!" Raini called out. The guys looked up with a disgusting smirk on their faces. Jolly quickly turned around upset.

"What are you doing?!" He yelled. "Get the hell out of here now!"