The Alliance

Chapter 3

I look over at the clock and see that it's 6:00 am. I didn't expect to be up until an hour from now, but my sleep schedule is all over the place.

I try to convince myself to have a shower, but it's already hard enough to convince myself to get out of bed. But I do because I have to pee.

I walk into the bathroom, splash cold water on my face and then look at my reflection.

I've never really liked my body. I mean, I did until I turned 13, when a friend told me, 'You kind of look like a boy.', because of my small chest. And I looked in the mirror when I got home, comparing my body to the girls and boys in our class.

At this point, most of the girls, if not all of them, had gone through puberty. And I had to, but my chest size had barely increased, and people pointed it out when I wore something tight-fitted.

I wasn't even an A cup. It was nothing but a small bump. My boobs might as well have been non-existent. I thought it would change, but when I was in ninth grade, I realized they weren't going to change into an A or B cup, which is what I wanted. I just wanted something. Same with my butt, I think, as I turn sideways and look at how flat and skinny my body is.

After going to the bathroom, I stare at the shower for a few seconds, then walk back to my room and to my bed.

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A week had passed, and it was Monday again. Alisha and I had lunch every day, and it was the best part of my day. My classes were okay, but I still had to sit with Fya in math class, and she still refused to look at me.

Sometimes I was petrified talking to Alisha. What if I said something weird? I haven't had any social interactions in months, not with peers, anyway. Talking with her is the most I've talked in months.

I walked into my first class, taking the same spot I have been taking for the last four days since the back seats are always taken. I can only hope I don't get called on more if I'm in the front. I pull out my phone, my thumb hovering over Alisha's contact that she gave me. I'm debating if I should text her or not.

What if she thinks I'm desperate to be her friend and backs away? She's the only person who actually had a conversation with me in the past 8 months, without making fun of me or mocking me.

I just want to ask her if we're still on for lunch.

When English is over, I go to math class, hoping that there's another note, even if I don't follow its instructions.

I walk into class, avoiding eye contact with Fay as I sit down. She does the same, as she only glances at me and then clocks back on her phone.

I shove my hand inside my desk and immediately feel a piece of paper. I take it out, and it's another light blue envelope. I sigh, taking it out.

A. M

You're scared, full of fear,
But don't miss another meetup,
Because you'll never be in the clear.
You're all the same,
Because you've all been hit in the heart,
With a spear.

Whoever this is, knows that I skipped the first meetup and is threatening me. You'll never be in the clear...Does that mean that they'll always keep sending me notes, even if I don't go?

We're all the same? Have we all been through the same pain, is that what he means? And they know how scared I am to go to this secret meeting.

Daniel and Kiana come in, and I stuff the small piece of paper in my sweater pocket before they can see.