Not What It Seems

Chapter 1

Having your identity taken away from you almost feels as if acid is burning your skin, metaphorically anyway.

When I was six, my parents always told me to embrace myself and my individuality. They told me that it was okay to be different and shine in some aspects that others couldn't. They taught me that no matter what, I should always be me and not let others bring me down because they didn't understand why I acted in specific ways.

By the time I reached age ten, I was almost as bright as my high school-aged brother. The school would put me into advanced classes where I would read three or four grade levels above my own. I would do math some kids weren't even doing in the grade above mine. They forced me to participate in functions such as science fairs and oral language competitions. It was mandatory to be a part of the inventors fair, something I hated doing.

By the time I reached my sophomore year of high school, my mind felt as though it was a puddle of mush and goo. I was tired from just doing the bare minimum. Taking a college prep-leveled class wore me down to the bone faster than anything else ever did. My parents treated me as a golden child and rewarded me for "being smart" at such a young age. When, in reality, I was just a fast learner.

I never gained a work ethic, and I didn't even know how to study correctly. The only way I knew how to pass any math class was by copying my friend's work and hoping the teacher wouldn't notice.
When I was in seventh grade, I cried over having a C in math class once. As an incoming junior in high school, I would just be happy to get a D, at least if it meant passing my classes.

School used to be something I would look forward to each day as it meant seeing my friends and learning new things. Now, I willow away at night, begging for the next day not to come as fast as it did. I would stay up all night watching television or watching a funny video on my phone, trying to forget about the inevitable.

I would sit up in bed, staring at my wall in hopes that I was still dreaming. My body would feel heavy, and my eyelids would refuse to work with me as I try to climb out of bed and get ready for the day. My body screamed and ached for me to lie back down and go back to sleep.

My phone would light up as a notification popped up. I would leap up at grab my phone, hoping someone had texted me or sent me something. But all I ever seem to get are sad game notifications reminding me that I haven't played them in weeks, maybe even months.

I push myself to get better, look happier, act fine.

"Hey." My voice comes out low and scratchy.

"Good mornin'," Nash squeaks as she tries to look over Maty's shoulder to get a peek at his phone screen.

Some of my friends had already gathered at a small rounded table in the middle of the quad. Silver and Josephine squished together on one bench as if there weren't two more available, watching some random video.

Xavier was munching on something that looked almost like a bagel, but its texture and stench spelled out something completely different. I scrunched my nose at the smell and sat opposite of him.

King and Crystal had yet to appear.

"Oh hey, Don," Silver said excitedly when she realized I had taken a seat upon them. "Didn't think you were gonna be here today."

"Yeah, me neither," Josephine mumbled, too entranced by her video.

Silver smiled softly at me and went back to watching the video with Joss. Nash and Maty were still bickering as close cousins always do, and Xavier was almost finished with his bagel-like food. King and Crystal still weren't there.

Usually, King was late, but Crystal? She was almost always the first or second person here. I don't know why, but my gut twisted, and I soon felt like something was wrong. I ignored it. Maybe Crystal just had a rough start to her day like me.

I laid my head down on the hard bench and sighed. Nothing was out of the ordinary; it felt like a typical school day. Yet, I couldn't seem to shake the feeling that something terrible was going on or was going to happen. My head began aching as I tried to think of something else.

"Don?"

I perked up at the call of my name. I blinked twice, used to the darkness my arms created as I laid against the bench. I looked over at Maty, who was standing right in front of me. His dark skin seemed to glow in the sun. His backpack was slung across his right shoulder, having his free hand shoved deep into his pocket.

He looked a bit concerned. "You good? The bell rang, and you didn't get up with us."

I looked around and noticed the others were standing a few feet away in every direction. The top half of their bodies twisted to be able to see me, confusion written all over their faces.

"Sorry," I mumbled, standing up. "I just, um, uh... I just have a lot on my mind right now."

I gave them all a weak smile, turning to the main office building. My first class of the day was an office aid.

I sighed, wishing for the day to be over
already.