Wildflowers

Chapter two

Birdie:

Beep beep beep

  The annoying sound of my alarm wakes me as I attempt to roll out of bed. By no means am I a morning person, it is 6:00 am and the sun is starting to peak out of the woods at the back of my house. My house was old and creaky but in a beautiful way. It wasn't big with only one floor but it had three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The walls of the living room and hallways were a pale white and our kitchen was a soft pastel yellow with a tile accent wall above the oven and stove. I walked down the hall to the kitchen a few of the floorboards whining as I went. The soft yellow walls were a sharp contrast to the black and white plan pajama shorts I wore along with my light grey sweater. After fixing myself a cup of tea and grabbing a granola bar for breakfast I headed back down the hall to my room.

  Deciding what to wear was never too hard but for some reason today I just couldn't choose between leggings or jeans.  After finishing my granola bar I finally decided on a pair of light-washed baggy jeans and a plain black v-neck top. After showering and changing I did some light makeup and packed my bag for school.

Checking my watch as I headed out of the door for school, it read 7:15. Good, my house was only about a 15-20 minute walk to the school and I liked to be there early, around 7:40 to 7:45 even though school started at 8:00. On my walk to school I pass by a few patches of wildflowers like the ones in my back yard. I was tempted to pick some but I didn't. The walk to school seemed longer than usual in the warm August weather, not hot enough to be uncomfortable yet. Finally making it to school I walk in through the back entrance, hardly anyone takes it because they all go through the car line of the entrance near the parking lot. Nope, this one is near the football field on the far side of the junior parking lot. Walking past the football field I saw a few boys already out for early morning practice. One of them I recognized was Jameson Ward, a known bully who always smelled of sweat and overuse of axe body spray as if he were trying (and failing) to cover up his own awful stench. Just as I was about to walk into the entrance I heard a bunch of cheers, curious I looked around to see three large bodies running out onto the field I couldn't see their faces but from the rest of the team's reaction to their presence I could guess who it was. 

Levi Cade, Hunter Locke, and West Springs. All three of them were tall, muscular, influential, and rich. Hunter being the son of our town's acting Mayor Hunter Credence Locke Sr., West is a direct descendent of our town's late founder Thomas Edward Springs who founded our small town back in the late 1800s And also happened to be the namesake of our school Thomas Springs High school, school for the gifted and academically talented. But after watching some of the other student's behavior and performance in class I'm seriously starting to question that last part. And finally Levi Cade, Levi was the son of a big city Lawyer and a hard businessman. Levi's father owned hotels and conquered small businesses all over the country, and his mother was a Lawyer, the same Lawyer who... Nope! not going to think about it, not today. 

 Today was the first day of my Junior year and I wanted this year to be perfect. I would stay under the radar, go unnoticed, do my work, and pass my tests, it had to be perfect. And it would be perfect. Nothing could mess this... but before I could finish that thought a loud voice yells "Watch out!" quickly, I slam my locker shut and press myself against it trying to get out of the way of the two boys racing down the hall, yea gifted and academically talented my ass. After the two idiots finished their race I reached down to pick up my bag and grab my book but it wasn't there. after looking in my locker again I looked back to the floor and noticed that it had slid across the hallway and had landed itself next to someone's bag, not just anyone's bag. Levi Cade's just as I was on my way over to hopefully, somewhat discreetly grab it and RUN. One of his friends, West saw it and picked it up before looking at it then holding it up high above his head and yelling "Yo, whose book is this?!" great, just great. Not only did I have to walk over there'd interact with them to get my book back but he had also touched my book with his disgusting, grubby hands. 

Sucking in a deep breath I started to walk over, mentally preparing for the worst. What if they try to talk to me, what if they laugh at me, what if he doesn't give me my book back? Oh, he better give me my book back that was Pride and Prejudice, one of my favorites with a special edition cover. He will give me my book back, the determination was set in every step I took but worry was etched in every line of my brain. 

Finally stepping behind West who was surrounded by his friends and a few girls, still holding the book in the air and yelling "Would the owner of this beautiful piece of literature please come forth? I cleared my throat and looked up at him. He hasn't noticed me yet but thankfully Levi did and he jabbed his friend with his elbow and nodded towards me. "Oh, sorry I didn't see you there darlin'" West said with a charming smile. I offered what I hoped was a polite smile before holding my hand out. West looked at me with confusion before bringing his hand down and giving me a... high five? What, no. I didn't want a high five I wanted my freaking book. I guess my face reflected my inner WTF? because Levi and hunter chuckled. I crossed my arms over my chest, but before I could I ask for my book back. Levi asked "What book is that?" "Pride and prejudice" I answered quickly in a soft voice "Now may I have my book back." I whispered "Sure" West replied. A small smile almost found its way to my lips. "But first..." I groaned internally. I just wanted my book back bro, not an unnecessary conversation. "can you tell me what it about.?" What? Bewilderment flashed across my face why did he want to know about my book? "Get your own copy and find out now give me back my damn book." I shot out before I could stop myself. Crap crap crap crap! I just snapped at West Springs, I was going to die now. 

A loud laugh interrupted my inner turmoil, it was Levi and Hunter. "You're funny" West chuckled. "I wasn't trying to be." I said in a flat tone "Now may I please have my book now?" I held my hand out once again. "Yea sure..." 

But his voice was lost. I was now drowning, floating in an endless abyss I could see and hear the peoples voices and figures, but it was all muffled and blurry. I sensed movement infant of me and finally after what felt like eternity, I snapped back to reality. Everyones face help a look of confusion as to where I had just gone. "Are you good?" Levi asks with a look of concern on his face. "I'm fine" I say while snatching the book out West's hand and turning on my heel while darting away just as the bell rang for first period.