School, Prejudice and Survival

Chapter 6, Part 1

  Chapter 6:                          Strangers

Scarlett giggles randomly as Annie whispers something into her ear. I'm not sure when exactly I zoned out, but I'm enjoying being inside my own head for the first time in ages. Sometimes- just sometimes- I like to slow down and just appreciate life. For example, right now.                                                                 Warm, golden sun beats down on my head, whilst a gentle breeze whispers soothingly in my ears. Flowers still bloom in their individual boxes, colours clashing against each other as they fight over the sunlight in a survival battle. People walk past us multiple times, some alone and some in groups. Tired looking parents drag young children behind them; lone shoppers move fast to get out of the way; groups of kids and teens alike chatter or play on their phones. Many of them glance at us.           One or two have glared- perhaps because we are taking over two entire benches just outside New Look- and young children stare. So what do we do? We glared right back. Mind your own business. We only get to be teenagers once.

Annie, Kathy and Scar sit on the leftmost bench, whereas me, Emelia and Ellie stick on the right. Despite getting here hours ago, we haven't bought much. Annie sits with a bag containing a Five Seconds of Summer shirt, and Emelia is resting a bag containing pink Converses on her lap.               The majority of the time we come here, we just end up on some benches talking the day away. Strangers tend to stay out of our way, which is nice. Not that we aren't friendly, but this is time for us to just be together. It has been a while since we have hung out as a group outside of school.

"...so excited to wear these shoes!" Emelia exclaims to Ellie excitedly.                                                               "Can we go to Starbucks in a bit? It's tradition!" I say to my group, ignoring their eye rolls and giggles. "Only if you get something de-caf. There's no way in hell I'm letting you keep me up again tonight." Scarlett mutters- half to me, half to Annie.                                                                                                                    "Ooohh! I just remembered! What do you guys want for your birthday?" Kathy chimes in, switching her gaze between me and Scarlett.                                                                                                                                "Lets not ta..."                                                                                                                                                                    "ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!" Annie shouts, interrupting my sister's answer.

We all look to where Annie has been staring, and multiple people gasp in shock.

At the end of the east pathway, a familiar pale face stands out against her white-blond hair. Damn. At any other time I would be happy to see her, but not with Scarlett right here.                                                 Chrissie walks down the row of shops, chatting with a person on her right. She wears a pair of ripped, tattered jeans and a blue hoodie, contrasting the clothes of the girl she is walking with.                               I recognize this girl. With curly brown hair (highlighted red in places), tanned skin and a style you can't forget, stands an old friend. Not just an old friend, but my best friend in the world up until about two years ago when we lost touch. Octavia looks comfortable in her trademark leather jacket and black jeggings.