The Brave, Bold and Beaten

Chapter One: Alone

     I flew up the rickety stairs into my bedroom, my father hollered wretched words after me. As I reached my door I slammed it shut and propped a old birch chair against the doorknob. It had only been 6:47 in the morning and my father found a reason to yell at me.

   I sighed and brushed my soft black hair into a messy pony tail, letting my short cyan bangs escaped the tie which fell over my icy turquoise eyes. I peered into the mirror, which was cracked from when my father decided to whip a broom at me,I noticed my eyeliner and mascara had stained my pale cheeks. I sighed again and cleaned up my face to re-apply my makeup. My phone bleeped as the time turned to 7:00, I had to be at my bus stop by 7:14.

   I trudged down the stairs and grabbed my black backpack, which was covered with pins that had band logos. I reached for the door as Nicole pushed me from behind.

   "Get the fuck out of my way, whore." She snapped in her annoying high pitched voice.

   I rolled my eyes and stepped away. She smiled in triumph and sashayed out the front door. I quickly followed and made my way to our stop. My brother Jeremy was already there with a joint in hand.

   "Heeeeeeyyyy, look who decided to join us." He held up the joint to me, "want some?"

   "For the thousandth time, I don't want to engage in this activity." My silk, smooth voice stated clearly.

   He shrugged half heartedly, "Your loss."

   The bus roared down the road running over a large puddle which sprayed everyone but me making me smirk. Nicole screeched and pushed her way to the bus. We climbed on and looked for seats, I searched all the faces for Alicia until I found her in the back I sat with her and noticed she had a huge grin on her face.

   "Hey Ash!" She chirpped with an excited tone.

   "Something happened, what is it?" I asked when curiosity took over.

    "Todd asked me out!" She squealed.

   I quickly faked a smile, Todd was bad news. Todd is a Junior, tall, and a jock. I overheard him talking with some of his friends about how 'easy' Jess would be amd they were betting on how quickly he could get in bed. I wanted to tell her but I didnt want to ruin her day as it started.

   "You said yes didnt you?" I questioned.

  She nodded her head eagerly, red hair flopping around, "He gave me flowers and then asked. It was so cute!"

   "Sounds like it." I replied grimly.

   The bus squeaked a bit and stopped at our school, anxiety knawed at my stomach. I hopped out and walked into the building with Jess at my side, who evidently was searching for Todd.

"Hey Ass!" Someone shouted.l behind me.

There was a tug on my pony tail which made me whip my head around. James, the most annoying jock in the school, had a cup of what looked like ice water and he poured it on my head. As the liquid rushed down my cheeks I realized it was Vodka.

   "Oooooh Ashley has alcohol!" Some girl shouted.

   Enraged, I punched the closest person who happened to be Jess.

   "Ouch!" She wailed and grasped her stomach.

   "I'm so sorry Jessie!" I whined and reached for her arm.

   She clasped her hands around mine reassuringly, "It's okay love."

   Her sweet voice sparked a sense of joy inside until I heard the second bell ring, now I was late. I went into the restroom to wash off my Vodka sticky arms.

   When I got inside two girls literally hissed at me like wild cats and bolted out the door. I rolled my eyes and began scrubbing my arms and face. I looked at my reflection, makeup again was smeared and my hair was matted. I sighed in frustration and ran water through my hair and forcefully ran a brush through it. When I was all cleaned up I decided it wasnt worth it to apply anymore makeup.

   Before I exited the restroom the bell rang, so it was already second hour. I walked out and made my way to my second hour Spanish class.

   "Hey look its Ass the class-skipper!" The guy who poured the alcohol on me mocked.

   "Ew, she smells like an alcoholic!" A prep girl sneered.

   "At least I don't look like a clown wannabe." I retorted.

   The class laughed hysterically and she started crying.

   "Oh, it's charades! She's a crying clown now!" Someone shouted.

   I smirked and sat back in my seat.

   "You're a fucking bitch." She growled at me and turned around.

  Class began after that and the rest of the day was normal. When the last bell rang everyone bursted from the doors and flooded onto the buses. The bus ride home was ballistic as always, but luckily my stop was first.