Mind Over Matter

Chapter 3

Four voices emerged from the nearest hallway, each more captivating than the next. My mind wanted to leave, but my body would not allow it. Closer and closer I crept until I found the voices' rightful owners.
"You don't belong here!" yelled one.
"Just go back to where you came from. No one HERE will like you anyway," said another.
Amongst the shadowed figures laid a shuddering, trembling body, barely holding on to its pitiful life. As it turned slowly to face me, I found myself looking directly back at my own countenance. Frozen in my steps, I was unable to help my pathetic clone drowning in mockery.

Cold sweat drenched my face as I rushed back into reality. My breathing was almost as rapid as my heartbeat, a feeling I knew all too well. The relaxation breathing exercises I worked painstakingly to master were proving to be useful, and my mind finally deciphered between reality and nightmare-land, which I was all too happy to escape. Picking up my phone, I checked the time- 5:43 AM. Much too early to be up, but on my first day of school, I could never be too prepared. And the extra half-hour of sleep was not worth the risk of returning to the nightmare-scape I just endured. I hadn't had one nightmare all summer, which was a rare and fortunate sight. I'd better be more careful to avoid stress- God knows what it can do to people.

After quickly slipping into my Ivorywood Preporatory School uniform, I wondered why Luna kept so many elaborate outfits. Fridays and weekends were reserved for free-dress days, but I didn't see the need for all of those clothes when we were required to wear these stupid uniforms. Nevertheless, it was Luna's decision, and I suppose it's better to overpack than to underpack.

The hour was still only 6:15, and not wanting to wake Luna, I decided to visit Cherokee, my palomino gelding. I stepped out into the brisk, wannabe summer air and made my way down to the gorgeous stable- boots clinking with every step. Shoes, thankfully, were not a strict part of the dress code, and boots were a popular choice for girls. Though slightly irritating that non-equestrians were constantly seen imitating our equestrian style, it was nice to be able to wear riding boots without all the stares.

"Hey there, my little Cheerio!" I exclaimed.

I ran my fingers across the metal, "Cherokee" engraved nameplate on his leather halter and allowed him to sniff my fingers.

"Sorry, bud, no treats till I refill my tack trunk," I said as his slightly pudgy barrel bumped my side. "Hehe, you'll live, chub chub" I joked.

Snapping a look at my watch, I read 6:32, giving me just enough time for a trail graze with Cher. Thank god for digital watches- I can NEVER comprehend analog. Things like that make me feel so stupid, but it's not like it'll ever change. That's something you have to get used to when you have dyslexia.

"Come on, boy, it's getting late. I'll visit you again later, I promise," I said soothingly.

He quickened his chomping and eventually let me lead him back to his luxurious stall. A little over-the-top luxurious if you ask me. With a constant flow of Lik-Its, daily grooming, and constant attention, I can finally repay him for all that he's done for me throughout the years.

With one last kiss goodbye, I scruffed his scraggly forelock and made my way to class, and back into reality. Life like this was sweet, but could not last forever.

* * *

DING-DONG, DING-DONG! The old church bell rang, the momentous sound signaling the end of the sweet summer I savored so dearly. As students chattered tiredly, it reminded me much of the loneliness I felt a week ago, when I first arrived at Ivorywood.
"Shut up and calm down, Sage," I whispered to myself, "You've had a hundred first days in your life, this won't be any different."

Since I had no one to catch up with, I quietly sat in my seat inside my first class- World History with Ms. Cambridge. Something I've noticed about history class is that the teacher can either make or break your entire experience, so I crossed my fingers that this one would be good.

"Ahem, welcome, class! I'm Ms. Cambridge, your World History instructor for this school year," said a woman from behind a desk. She had grey-brown hair pulled into a refined bun, and her features were sharp and distinct against her pale skin.
"Let's become acquainted, shall we?" She seemed nice enough, but the way my fellow students looked at her made me feel uneasy.
"I'd like to begin by introducing two new additions to Ivorywood. Will- umm...," she lowered her glasses to the bridge of her nose and scanned a
clipboard frantically.

Please, please, please don't be searching for my name.

"Aha! Will Sage Okeke and Leesa Cho please come to the front of the class," she said with a smile.

Not. Cool.

I cringed and rose from my chair, along with a slight girl with long, straight black hair. My heart pounded, my palms moistened, and my stomach knot decided to pay another visit. Being completely exposed in front of the whole class is not how I imagined the start of my day. Ms. Cambridge asked Leesa a series of questions, and the confident girl seemed unfazed. She revealed her love for painting and music and told us of her plans to attend the Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York.
"And what about you, Sage?" she asked.
"Well, I...I, uhh...I don't know, ummm," I stammered pathetically. I couldn't form my thoughts into words and my mind went blank.
"Do you like basketball? You look like you like basketball," she said.

What was she talking about? I haven't played basketball since seventh grade!

"Uhh, n-not anymore. I..I like horses though," I muttered. I instantly felt three sets of eyes staring intensely at me.

"Woooow, horses, huh? They can be really expensive! I'm glad your family can afford horses, I know how tough it can be in your situation," she said, trying to be understanding.

My situation? What on earth is going through this lady's mind?

"Yea, I-I'm going to try out for the equestrian team here," I explained. The six eyes narrowed and I finally realized who they belonged to- three of the girls who I met in Luna's closet. Were THEY equestrians? A mischievous whisper passed through the girls, and I knew I had made a mistake.
"Well, Sage, we certainly don't see a whole lot of colored people like you in our riding program, that's for sure," she said, with a sweet but mocking tone.

Theeere it was.

Only ten minutes into my first day I'm stuck with a racist teacher and apparently three new enemies. Faaan-tastic.