Under New Jersey

Camden High

As soon as I walked into the school, I intentionally turned to my left to see if Rose, Kalani, and Hendrix were at their lockers. I smiled as I watched them laughing together and walked up to the happy group.

"Alice, thats like the most basic outfit I've ever seen you in." Kalani said laughing.

"Bae's right. You over slept.....I hope. I mean you look like a 6th grader Al." Hendrix joked.

"Yes, I over-"

Rose cut me off saying, "Look Alice, Nero's headed this way! We'll leave and give you two lovebirds some space." she teased sticking her tongue out. They all left, leaving Nero and I.

"Hey Nero." I said looking over his outfit. He had on a white and blue, button up, shirt, white pants, and a white, black, and blue pair of Jordan's on.

"Hey beautiful." Nero replied. "You smell REALLY good." he said as he started smelling me repeatedly.

"Okay? Thanks. I guess?" I answered.

"So, there's going to be this hype party at my place tonight. Are you in?"

"Look Nero, you know I don't do parties."

"I know. I know. Dang, a girl as fine as you don't like parties? What has the world come to?" He pulled me close to him and hugged me. Then he smiled and walked away. I smiled, feeling a little more awkward than usual and started towards my locker on the opposite wall of the hallway.

I opened my locker and switched some books to my bookbag and placed some in my locker. Before I could close my locker, someone's hands were over my eyes.

"Guess who!?" the person said in a crazy voice.

"Bailey, it's you." I said as I turned around to see my best friend. She had her curly brunette hair flat ironed today, and was wearing a black and blue skater dress, black combat boots, and a black leather jacket.

"Who are you trying to impress today young lady?" I asked.

"Oh no one." She smiled.

"If you say so Bailey. You better hurry up. You're going to be late for Mrs. Scott's class." I warned.

"Pshh, I am NOT going to that lady's class today. I'll be in 2nd hour. Okay?"

"Alright" I replied.

"Peace , Alice." With that, she walked out the doors of the school. I shook my head in disappointment and closed my locker.

I made my way to the stair case which led to the floor my 1st hour class was on. I couldn't help but look over to where Monroe's locker was and watch her and Oliver talk. Monroe looked at me and smiled. I gave her two thumbs up and a corny smile. She silently giggled and mouthed "Thank You."

I was finally in 1st hour and as soon as I sat in my seat, the 9:15 bell rang to start the school day. Kalani was on my left and Hendrix was on my right. In all of my classes, at least one of my friends were in it. This was an English class, and Mrs. Scott gave the whole class the assignment to write a 2 page paper (front and back) on what we plan on doing after high school. This wasn't going to be easy, and I had no time to talk. I had NO clue of what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a doctor but I also wanted to be a teacher.

The bell rang for 2nd hour passing time and everyone turned in their papers to Mrs.Scott. In my 2nd hour class, which was Spanish II, I was expecting to see Bailey walk in the class, but right when the bell rang to start class, I knew she wasn't coming. This was Bailey's favorite class besides lunch, and she wasn't there like she said she would be. Was something going on that I didn't know about? I was starting to get worried. Bailey usually skipped one class. I decided not to ask her where she had been when I see her again.

The next 2 classes after Spanish seemed to go by very fast. I walked to my locker to put my morning class books and papers away before lunch. Out of the corner of my eye, I could already tell trouble was coming. Four girls named Noah, Autumn, Echo, and North builled me almost everyday.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Autumn snorted.

"Trash, obviously. I mean, not like she already isn't." Echo answered.

North ripped off my name plate necklace and stomped on it multiple times. Anger went through my veins as I closed my locker and glared at North.

"What are you gonna do about it bitch?" She shoved me against the lockers, making me hit the back of my head. The four girls laughed and walked away, leaving me on the floor.

I got up and hurried to the bathroom to cry. Why did they have to bully me? I'm such a nice person. I don't deserve this. To my surprise Bailey walked out of one of the stalls.

"What's wrong? Who did what?" she asked concerned.

"Noah, Autumn, North, and Echo. That's what happened!" I started to cry even harder. "They made me hit the back of my head on the lockers and now I have a headache." I wept.

"C'mon, I'll take you to the nurse's office. I'll stay in there with you. To keep you company." she insisted.

"Alright. Thanks Bailey." I replied thankfully.

We walked out the bathroom and into the hallway. Bailey picked up my name plate and put it in my purse. She continued walking with me all the way down the two long hallways to get to Nurse Nelly's office.

Once we got there, Bailey explained what had happened to Nurse Nelly. She was concerned and immediately gave me an ice pack for my head. She also allowed Bailey to stay with me. Even though she was doing this to get out of class, it was still comforting to have a friend.

The nurse left the room and went into her separate office. Bailey and I sat on the red couches that were in the room for the patients.

"You know, Nero is throwing a party tonight."

"I know. He told me."

"Oh, so are you going?"

"Nah, I think I'll just stay home."

"Awe, c'mon now, parties always cheer me up. C'mon, I'm telling you, this is all you need. Just this one party. C'mon Alice, please go with me." Bailey pleaded. I looked into her begging puppy eyes and agreed to go with her.

We stayed in Nurse Nelly's office until the 4:30 bell rang to dismiss the whole school. I said goodbye to Bailey and told her I'll text her about the party later. I walked out of the school and found Monroe's car. I waited for about 5 minutes until she finally came. Right when we got into the car, she looked at me and smiled.

"Oliver is the BEST boyfriend ever."

"How can you tell? You've only been going out for a little less than a day."

"This morning, he carried my books and bookbag for me, in every class we didn't have together he would text me something like: " I love you and miss you," for lunch he took me to the Taco Bell near the school, and just right now, he told me to wear his hoodie and keep it."

I looked at the oversized hoodie she was wearing . "Yep, sounds like he's a keeper."

"Anyways, how was your day?" Monroe asked as she started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

"It was okay. I guess." I answered, remembering what North did to my name plate which was crushed up in my crossbody bag.

"You always say that Ali. Any plans? Tonight in particular?" she asked suspiciously.

"No, not tonight. Why would you ask something like that?" I lied, sounding very innocent.

"Oh. No reason. All day today, I kept hearing about a party that mom and dad would kill us if we go to." Monroe answered.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because, there will be seniors, alcohol, and dancing with the opposite sex." she giggled.

"Oh. Nah, me there? DEFINITELY not." I lied again. I must be a good liar because Monroe seemed to believe me.

I couldn't believe that I actually agreed to go to that party. What was I thinking? If that was what a party was like, I'd rather not go. A place like that is definitely not where someone like me belongs.