Caught In The Midst

Chapter 4. Fastforward.

I shot up in my bed. It was just a dream. It was just a dream. I was shaking my head trying to convince myself. Thea, it was just a dream. I was panting and my sheets were drenched in my sweat. I've been getting the dreams a lot lately.

Well they're more like flashbacks. It's been a year since my father got arrested. Today's my first day of Junior year. I'm not looking forward to it. I don't have many friends. And now, the whole school will know what happened. Everything was in the newspapers. I just don't know how to look past it. Everyone's going to think I'm a freak. I sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I glanced at the clock that read 5:17 AM. Lily wouldn't get up for another hour, so I helped myself to a shower. The water shot out cold, which made me gasp, but eventually raised to a more comfortable temperature. Soon enough Lily was pounding on the door, I turned off the faucet and left the bathroom. I primped in my mirror, doing my makeup and my hair somewhat carefully. I wanted to look flawless. My hair was free and wavy. But under control. I wore simple eyeliner and mascara. I picked out black skinny jeans with a grey shirt. Completely understated and won't draw any attention.

"Oh my gosh no." Lily looked at me.

"What's wrong?"

"You're not wearing that." Lily was towel drying her hair.

"Yes I am." I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. Lily walked over to our closet and pulled out white tattered skinny jeans, a jean shirt, a light blue cardigan, and nude flats. She placed them neatly on my bed.

"Think about it." She disappeared back into the bathroom. Ugh. She was right. I changed into the outfit picked out for me. I looked into the mirror. I felt confident. I looked good.

"Oh thank God! I was going to be embarrassed! I would have to tell people I didn't know you!" I laughed at Lily's comment. She was wearing floral leggings with a baggy white shirt and a black leather jacket. Complete with converse of course. I admired her. We grabbed our bags and Headed downstairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The stares actually hurt. I could feel them. They pierced me. The eyes. Never left. All day through the halls in the classes. It was disgusting. I wanted to be left alone. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. IM NORMAL. STOP LOOKING! The bell finally rang for "A lunch" I stepped into the flooded hallways and headed to the cafeteria. I packed my own lunch. It was better than anything they would serve at school. I took out my phone and had a missed text from Lily.

I have B lunch, wbu?

I sighed. How is it that I'm never lucky? I looked up from my phone and came face to face with a blonde boy, who I'd never seen before. He was extremely attractive and I think he just said something.

"What?" I asked

"I asked if I could sit with you?" He smiled at me. I wanted to faint.

"Yeah sure you can." I smiled back.