Cool Kids Don't Dance

Two

Louise woke in her bed again. This time her mother, Anna, was gentle. Fearful that any sudden movements would hurt Louise. She was frail, weak, at best. She needed a sheltered life to thrive. This is one of Anna's biggest fears: will Lou make it?

"Come now, Louise, you have to get up." Anna cooed, as she flitted in the door.

Louise complied, she would rather die than miss the bus again. She rolled out of bed and began rifling through the various boxes that were still strewn about her room.

Although they moved in months ago, she had yet to unpack. With unpacking came that awful sense of finalization. Louise wasn't ready for it. Neither was Anna.

As soon as Anna had gathered enough proof that Louise wouldn't slither back into her bed the minute she left, she scampered into the kitchen. Already planning the day ahead of her. Her daughter, however, was only hoping for the best.

One friend, one would be enough? I can do it. Just one.

Louise smiled thoughtfully as she pulled a sweatshirt over her head.

• • •

They would gawk, but any remote sense of being seen with Louise seemed vile.

As soon as she had stepped in the front doors of Edgewood High School all of Louise's confidence melted away. These kids were different. They were all future criminals, some had already been in trouble with the law. And that was what you needed to be "cool" here.

All of them were built and were just looking for excuses to get in a fight. Or a "rumble" as they called it.

Louise was easily the smallest here, but after days of being over looked and spat on, she rose.

• • •

"Get out of my seat pussy." Griffin, easily the biggest girl in the school spat at her. The kids spilling into the class room immediately hushed and began glancing around the room for the teacher, who conveniently seemed to be absent.

"I've had enough of your shit." Louise huffed under her breath.

"What? Got a problem cunt-bag?" Griffin mocked.

"Get the fuck off--" Louise was cut off with a blow to her cheek, knocking her to the tile.

Tears immediately began to bubble, but she stood again. She was fully aware of the whispers and judgement that surrounded her, waiting for the action.

Griffins stepped back, waning momentum before popping an under cut into Louise's torso.

Louise grappled at her gut and toppled forward onto Griffin's shoes. Then she smiled, before showing griffin her breakfast. All over her brand new combat boots she had been bragging of that morning.

Griffin shrieked and slipped in the mess of baked beans and soda.

Laughter erupted, fingers pointing at Louise and her previous meal.

Too much, too much.

Louise curled up and focused on breathing.

They're laughing. Why are they laughing? I won didn't I?

Darkness crept in from the edges of her vision. She knew what was happening. But there was nothing she could do, but remember who did this.

Griffin would pay.