The Man In The Fields

Chapter 2

Addilyn never liked the thought of going to school with thousands of other learners, she just felt claustrophobic. But she really wanted to get away from the house for a few hours everyday. It felt as if her sleep paralysis was getting worse each day. She thought maybe her mind was playing harsh games on her. Sometimes she was even afraid to go to the bathroom alone but she wouldn't confess that to her mother. She packed all of her stationery and the work she was given to do in her bag and ran downstairs. She saw her mom packing some lunch in a brown bag and handing it to her. "Mom, I'm practically 16. I don't need you packing lunch in a brown bag for me," Addilyn whined. Nora raised an eyebrow. "So you'll be fine scavenging for money to buy yourself lunch?" Addilyn remained silent. "So are you encouraging me to steal?" she beamed. Nora chuckled and gave her daughter the brown bag. "Fine. I'll take the bag but just for today," Addilyn said, taking the bag and stuffing it in her bag. "So, I'm guessing that I'll be taking the bus, won't I?" Addilyn sighed as her mom nodded. "I'm really tired and I don't think I'll be able to drive you to school even though I'd love to take you there on your first day," Nora said. Addilyn kissed Nora's forehead. "I'ts fine mom. I can take the bus. You just rest," she turned and made her way to the door. "Make new friends," Nora called out. "Hopefully not," Addilyn closed the door behind her and walked to the bus stop. On her way, she saw Jacob standing there with a girl, who was giggling at something Jacob said. "Oh brother," Addilyn muttered. She stood by the bus stop but made sure she kept her distance. "Hey Addilyn," Jacob waved at her. Addilyn looked over to him then looked at the ground. "Why is she such an arse?" the girl that was standing next to Jacob whispered. But she whispered loud enough for Addilyn to hear. Addilyn held her bag straps tightly. 'Why is she being such a dunce?' Addilyn thought. She wondered when the bus would arrive. The girl and Jacob happily chatted and laughed to each other's jokes. Addilyn on the other hand, was annoyed. She'd been standing for thirty minutes and the bus still hasn't arrived. She looked over to Jacob and they were looking at her like she was crazy. Maybe she was starting to go insane. Addilyn cleared her throat. "Keep it together, Addilyn," she told herself. The bus finally arrived and they all got on. Addilyn observed the bus. Everyone was partnered up, laughing together and being all jolly. Addilyn saw Jacob sitting next to the girl. She had her hand on his knee. Addilyn couldn't see how she looked like at first. She had long blonde hair and brown eyes, her lips with plump and red from the lipstick she had. Addilyn sighed and went to sit at the back, alone. "Well, you gotta love school," she sarcastically said to herself.

Addilyn's day started out great. No one noticed her in the halls and during classes until the last period of the day, physical education. Addilyn wasn't one to go crazy for sports and gymnastics but she tolerated it just to get it over and done with it. The girls were separated from the boys. The girls were going to play dodge ball. Everyone grunted when Ms Jones, their gym teacher, told them. "Quit your whining and go get changed," she said as she lead then to the changing rooms. They all wore navy blue shorts and white polo shirts. "Alright. Two teams. You know the drill," Ms Jones said. She started going through the list, making two teams. After that was done, the battle field had been set. The balls were in there place. The teams were against the walls, waiting for the teacher to now the whistle. "I just have to end off my first school day with dodge ball?" Addilyn said. The girl next to her giggled. Ms Jones blew the whistle. All the girls ran to the middle to get a ball to throw at their opponent. Sadly, Addilyn's team wasn't so good at the sport as she was. It didn't take too long for them to get eliminated. It was just Addilyn left from her team and three girls left on the other. Addilyn looked at the girls who were waiting for the game to end. Then she noticed the boys watching as well. She felt uncomfortable in her own skin. She didn't like people watching her. She liked blending in with the shadows. One girl threw a ball at Addilyn but she quickly dodged it. The other threw a ball at her but Addilyn caught it. "Jackson, you're out!" Ms Jones called out. The girl grunted as she went to go sit with the others. While the two girls weren't noticing, Addilyn quickly got a ball and threw it at one of the girls. This kept going for a while. She kept on pushing herself to do the same thing over and over, pick up the ball and throw it at some and dodge. At this point, Addilyn wanted to drop down dead. She was gasping for air, her throat quenched for water. "Just one more girl left," she told herself. Then she noticed the left was the girl that was talking to Jacob in the morning. "Just great," Addilyn forced a smile. "Well," she said. "Go Bethany," one of the boys cheered. Bethany smirked and threw a ball at Addilyn. She missed her by an inch. She frowned and threw another one. Missed again. This continued until Bethany ran out of balls on her side. Addilyn smirked. She picked up a ball and threw it but unfortunately, she didn't have any strength left in her so she missed. The ball didn't even reach Bethany. "That's the best you could do?" Bethany said. Which made everyone in the gym crack up. Addilyn grunted. She threw another ball at her. Bethany tried to dodge it but tripped and fell to the direction of the ball and got hit. "You're out! Wow, never thought I'd see the day you'd get beaten at your own game," Ms Jones laughed while Addilyn's team rejoiced. "Alright, hit the showers. All of you," Ms Jones ordered. Everyone went to the showers and got cleaned up. Addilyn went last. After she was done, she went get her clothes. But they weren't there. Addilyn looked everywhere but she couldn't find then. "I swear I left them in my locker," she said. "Well I chat go out naked," she said as she looked at her sweaty gym clothes. Addilyn had no choice. She swallowed her pride and wore her gym clothes.