Find the Magic (Under Revision)

Chapter 2

I slung my backpack off my shoulder and onto the seat. I slid in beside it, not caring to remove the bag so someone else could sit there.

I pulled out my paperback copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Flipping through, I found the dog-eared page where I'd left off. Flippantly unfolding the corner, I continued reading.

I glanced up when the bus stopped. People all on the bus were muttering. I poked my head up, looking for the source of the murmurings.

"Again, Cane Street. Last call for Cane Street." the exasperated voice of the driver said over the intercom.

Embarrassed, I shoved my book in my bag, which I shoved over my shoulder as I stood up.

People all over the bus glared at me, causing me to wonder how long I'd taken.

A familiar teenage boy sitting with his friends rolled his eyes at me.

"Nerd." he stage-whispered to his friends, who laughed horridly.

I spun around angrily. "How dare you! You pig!" I was so fed up with Josh and his antics.

That just caused him to laugh harder.

I considered throwing a punch, but the bus driver yelled, "LAST CALL FOR CANE STREET!"

I glared back at the quarterback as I stepped off the bus and sat on the bench, where I would wait, as always, for 15 minutes to catch the Eastbound bus which brought me to my house.

* * *

I stood awkwardly in the aisle of the Eastbound bus. All of the seats had at least one person sitting in it.

Unfortunately, the bus driver either didn't notice or he didn't care, because the bus lurched forward, causing me to stumble.

I heard snickering behind me, and I whipped around to see that jerk again! Although he'd gained a few friends; his group of 3 had changed into a group of 5.

"It's not funny." I snapped.

"Eh... it kinda is." he shrugged.

My face heated up in anger.

"I... what did I ever do to you?"

He rolled his eyes. "Do you have to have done something? How about... ah yes! You made us late for a very important football meeting! Plus, you punched Paul."

I fought the urge to scream. I hated all, all, jocks. And that punch was so deserved.

I felt a hand on my arm, and I spun around, ready to throw a punch. However, I stopped, my fist inches from the old man's face.

"Ooh..." Josh and his friends whistled.

"Assault on the elderly! You could go to jail!"

I ignored him.

"I'm so so sorry." I apologised.

He shook his head and gently put my hand down.

"It's all right." he smiled kindly, his face wrinkling. "Here, you can have my seat."

He gestured to his seat.

I shook my head. "I can't."

"Why not? Are you too weak?" the boy asked.

I whipped around yet again. "No, I just think that the old guy should sit down. His bones are fragile, don't you know?"

Josh snickered. Then he and his friends got off the bus.

I turned to the old man. "I'm so sorry - again! I didn't mean that! Your offer was incredibly kind."

He smiled again. "It's all right, really. This next stop is mine."

I sat down reluctantly.

"You young people carry too much anger inside of you. You're like volcanoes, waiting to erupt." the man continued. The bus stopped.

I stared at the ground. "Is there any way to change it?"

He smiled his wrinkly, old-man smile. "Of course. All you need is a little magic in your life." and then he was gone.

I suppressed the urge to groan. Magic isn't real. He's just an old kook. He probably escaped a mental asylum or something.

I stepped off the bus onto my driveway. I knocked on my front door, and let myself in.

I heard crashes and screams.

My little brother, James, darted past, soaking my shirt and hair in water using his spray gun, laughing maniacally as he ran away.

I huffed my way up to my room, which was the attic. I threw my backpack on my bed.

I quickly changed out of the blue T-shirt and tossed it in the laundry. I threw on a yellow shirt, and made my way over to my cracked mirror.

I washed off the smeared-beyond-repair makeup that I knew I wore too much of. I wrung out my hair, and tied it up into a messy bun.

I walked downstairs after my mom yelled, "ALEXIA! GET DOWN HERE RIGHT THIS INSTANT!"

Gulping, I braced myself.

"Yes Mum?"

"Set the table for four, then wash the dishes. You can eat dinner in your room while you fold the laundry."

I sighed, "Yes Mum" and got to work.

* * *

I sat on the swing at the park, pushing myself back and forth slowly. My roaming eyes fell on a tall, blonde girl. She had just arrived, and was sitting alone on a bench.

Summoning the courage, I walked up.

"Hey there. I love your hair."

She looked me up and down, taking in the stylish yellow shirt and ripped jeans, gaping awkwardly at the knees.

"Thanks... I'm Julie."

"Alexia."

"That's a unique name."

My face warmed up. "No, it's not. It's a perfectly wonderful name. Not at all as stupid as Julie." I spat out her name like it was poison.

Her eyes widened. "Excuse me, I'm sorry for trying to compliment your wonderful name!" She spun on her heel and stalked away.

I simply sat down.

Every. Single. Time. Why can't I just talk to someone. Get through a normal conversation without angering them?  Deep down, I knew the answer. I just wasn't ready to accept it.

AUTHORS NOTE:

I just finished posting the whole book, but now am going back through and doing that famous revision I kept talking about. :D

I can procrastinate on school, but when it comes to this book, I can hardly wait!

Hm... about this first chapter... what can I say... Oh! The jocks are jerks and I want to punch them. Hope I'm not alone. ;)

~ Rainbow