Olive Green [GxG]

CHAPTER 2

A WHOLE WEEK had passed. Mum was still fully into work mode, not being much at home, but when she was, she was asking mostly about school. I understood it, but it was also kind of annoying—the school talk. Of course, I knew that she wasn't only caring because it was a new environment, but because she also wanted me to go to university or college without much of a problem.

  The talk about the pet—a new family member—was soon forgotten as there seemed to be more important things to solve. Although I thought that it might be because of my father, too. My parents were divorced for a few years already, the entire thing was pretty chill, but it still could be only an act in front of me. I had no idea, truly.

  Taking off my headphones, I entered the school hallway. Kids from all years were everywhere. It was such a crowded and loud place, full of people I didn't know and felt like I didn't even want to know. It made me feel like a lost puppy even after a week here.

  Thankfully, being a new kid wasn't a big deal for other students. They obviously didn't know everyone in the school, as we were in a big city. Only sometimes one of them gave me a probing look. Hopefully not in a bad way. Even though I couldn't care less about that. Just one year.

*****

During the day, I had to pay a visit to the lavatory. Thankfully, I somehow remembered the way, so it didn't take me much time to get in front of that room.

  The moment I entered the room, I could hear someone crying, but I could also see a few pairs of eyes turning to look at me when they probably realised that they weren't alone in the room anymore. I blinked, confused at first. Nothing too weird about a girl crying in there accompanied by a few others. However, the feeling of getting in here uninvited made me rethink that quickly.

  "Get out," said one of the girls who looked slightly annoyed after being interrupted. Something occurred to me. Maybe, just maybe, they were bullying the one whom I couldn't see yet.

  "I thought this was public space."

  And at that moment, I knew I poked at the wrong place. I made them angry—I could see that on their faces. It could be either that they were talking about private things, or it was bullying. And something, perhaps my sixth sense, made my thoughts go for the latter.

  For some stupid reason, I didn't stop there as I made my way to one of the stalls. Unfortunately, with an obstacle in front of me. Another girl, a tall ginger, stood in front of me, blocking my way while glaring down at me. "Didn't you hear?"

  Tilting my head to the side, I crossed my arms over my chest, "You're in my way."

  I could see her slightly shocked reaction. Maybe she didn't expect me to talk back, or they weren't used to people interrupting their business. The latter was actually a little questioning because this place wasn't very private.

"Leave it. Let's go," said another unfamiliar voice.

  Giving them all one last look, I turned around and went into the stall the ginger girl instantly stopped blocking. I could hear them leaving the lavatory in the next couple of seconds. And then, I was completely alone.

*****

Looking around the school canteen, I sighed. There was not a single table empty. Everywhere was at least one person, which meant I had to choose—choose someone with whom I would spend a few minutes of lunch break. And that meant asking them and expecting an embarrassing moment of moving from one table to another. But at least there weren't any familiar faces.

  "Hey, can I?" I asked a girl with a mustard yellow hijab who was reading a book. She was probably so into the plot that she didn't even realise that someone was talking to her. And so, I put my lunch on the table, hoping that would maybe disturb her—and it did.