The Cheating Game

Sept. 10 - Bus Stop

"Honey, hurry up! You're going to be late." I grab my notebook before Mom roughly pushes me outside. She throws my lunchbox after me as she slams the door. Without looking back, I raise my hand and catch my lunchbox mid-fall. It's second nature by now.

    I start the walk to the bus stop, examining my own shadow as it saunters next to me. My hair is as messy as usual, and my book bag isn't hanging open. That's all the information I can get from a shadow.

When I get to the bend in the sidewalk, I step over the grass and balance on the curb. My battered sneakers and their thin soles let my feet feel the familiar bumps in the cement. I walk a few feet, and step back onto the sidewalk once the curb ends. The bumps fade away.

    Now I'm walking on driveways. Halfway there. Miss Garrison is sitting on her porch, reading tabloids. Her garden is neglected and withering, but her precious potted sunflowers raise their heads toward the sky and extend leafy arms. I've never actually seen her water them, though.

    Mr. Hurley is feeding the stray cat that lives in his bushes. He waves at me. I wave back. Like I usually do.

    By the time I turn the corner by his house, I see the other kids. They're a mixed bunch. Some are rowdy and immature, and some are quiet and withdrawn. I'm neither.

    As I walk closer, Gabby nods at me. She's antisocial usually, but she probably feels sympathy for me. She has headphones in and leans against the no parking sign by our stop. I walk up and stop right in front of her, like always.

"Hey, nerd!" Bruce shoves a rough hand against my shoulder. I stumble, and grab the no parking sign pole for support. Gabby places a steadying hand on my right arm, and flips her dyed black and blue hair. It's simply routine.

    I stumble a bit and hold my notebook to my chest so that I don't drop it. Bruce narrows his eyebrows and then grabs me by the front of my shirt.

    Such a cliche bully move. And I can see why. It was way uncomfortable.

    I struggle helplessly before Gabby steps forward, never looking up from her phone. Her head continues to bob to the beat of the music in her headphones, but she simply steps towards us and kicks Bruce in the shin. Hard.

    He immediately lets go. Gabby rolls her eyes, acknowledging our existence, and returns to the no parking sign. I notice her combat boots. I wonder if I should buy my own pair, just for this use.

    I pick myself up off the ground and check to make sure my notebook is in my hand. Then, the sound of the bus echoes down the street. Bruce goes back to the group with his buddies the jerks, and I step back to Gabby. I've never actually spoken a word to her, but I feel some sort of connection. She's the only one who steps in when bullies like Bruce pick on me. Every now and then, we exchange nods. It's probably the closest I'll get to friendship.