Sparks

Blending In

It was a quiet morning; the sun was shining with nary a cloud in the sky, making it hard to imagine that just a few days prior there was a heavy thunderstorm ripping through the area but it seemed to have passed by. The storm didn't act as a detriment to people's daily lives so everything remained the same, but it was a few days after the storm that things would really change.

At the school of a rather sleepy town there was news of a new student arriving and it became quite the topic for conversation due to the small size of the town meaning everyone, for better and worse, almost knew everyone there. As this news went around however, it wasn't something which paid much mind to in particular. After all, it was just a case of someone new attending,not really something to be considered big news unless they were someone notable.

But saying that, it still remained the fact that the town was small, easy for anything to be local news. It was just something for people to talk about, and news does get around fast.

Another, more unfortunate case of this took place as you were waiting for the lesson to begin. Sitting in the classroom, idling the time away on your phone, one conversation was being held close enough for you to hear. Talking a few seats away from you, two students were discussing the major thunderstorm that had recently taken place.

"Yeah, apparently they found the guy in an alleyway, they say he was struck by lightning" one of your classmates said and you looked up from your phone to listen in as the person they were talking to spoke next. "Wow, for real? That's scary to think about, on the same night as that woman's murder too?" The other student asked which the first confirmed. Two deaths in one night; one an accident and one a murder, it's scary how quickly a life can be snuffed out like that.

But that conversation was then cut short by the teacher's arrival so you put your phone away as an announcement was made; "no doubt you have all heard of the new student attending, it got around school quickly after all? Well she will be starting today in this class". As soon as the teacher finished saying that, someone walked through the classroom door and to the front of the room.

The expression on Skylar's face was of unease as she looked around to see everyone staring at her. This was where her mother told her to go, to hide and just blend in but she felt uncomfortable. All these people were just staring at her and she didn't know any of them. But that was the intention wasn't it? To go somewhere where nobody would be able to recognise her, a quiet place where she wouldn't be found.

The teacher introduced Skylar and asked if she wanted to say anything but she just looked down and shook her head, the teacher nodding before asking her to take a seat at the back where there was an empty seat. Everyone watched her as she walked to the back of the room and sat down, some students whispering among themselves about her personality.

"She seems quiet," one student commented, talking with the student who was sitting in front of them as they were looking behind. Making their own remarks, they noted Skylar's more noticeable characteristics as they called her cute; "blue hair suits her" they said and their friend just nodded. You however were quiet, looking at Skylar as she shifted herself and brought her left hand up to cover her face like she didn't want to be seen so you looked away.

It was her first day so she would be a little nervous and uncomfortable seeing she didn't know anyone but...something about the way she hid her face made you think there was more to it.You didn't question it too much though as the teacher called for everyone's attention for the lesson to begin.

As the day went by, Skylar made sure to keep to herself but at the same time she hid herself among groups of students to do as she was meant to; blend it. She was very nervous, constantly looking over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't being followed but she didn't give off the vibe of anyone who was causing trouble as she kept a very solemn expression on her face. If anything, people would think she was reclusive if not just nervous.

You saw this a lot through the day and wondered why she was acting that way but were you in any place to even pry into that? You didn't want to give her any wrong impressions but ended up approaching her during lunch break where she was sitting outside on a bench under a large tree. She still had her solemn, downcast expression as she had throughout the day, looking at her clasped hands.

"Mum" she muttered to herself as a lone tear slid down her cheek. She was thinking back to what happened during that storm, how she had to flee from her home to escape the men in the black suits. She thought back to what she heard as she ran, that loud bang that broke through the drumming of the rainfall.

A quiet sob left Skylar as she thought of the news story of her mother being found dead with a bullet wound to the head. It wasn't just a shot from a distance either but full execution style. Hearing the story broke Skylar's heart as the authorities quickly chalked it down to random violene, a possible home invasion gone wrong. But she knew the truth, and yet she couldn't tell anyone, all she could do was keep the promise she made to blend in as much as she could.

Skylar's mother gave her life so she could escape, the least she could do to honour that sacrifice was to make sure it wasn't for nothing. That was all that was on Skylar's mind as she was lost in her thoughts, tears still sliding down her cheek before she was suddenly brought back to reality.

"You alright?" You asked as you stood next to Skylar and she jumped with a small yip as she looked at you before turning away as she said she was fine, wiping away the tears that had been sliding down her cheeks. It was obvious that she was lying and so sat down next to her, saying that the first day was always the worst but soon enough she would get used to the routine of the place. "It's a small and quiet town so you shouldn't have any trouble learning the layout either, I assume you're new to the area?" you asked, still under the illusion she was just overwhelmed, and Skylar nodded.

"Something like that" she replied as she thought to herself how you just believed she was uncomfortable about it being her first day. Sure, that was partially the case but you didn't know the truth.

There was a silence between the two of you for a moment before you asked Skylar where she moved from, this question making her look away before replying that it was just out of town. "I...I'd rather not talk about it" she said and you nodded. The awkward silence returned again and you patted your hands on your knees awkwardly before taking out your phone to check the time.

"Well, class resumes soon so we should head back in" you said but Skylar told you to go in ahead. You paused for a moment as you stood up before turning to face her again and held your hand out to her, Skylar looking at you as you gave a soft smile.

"I get it, you're in a new place and don't have your bearings, if you need someone to help with that then I'll be happy to" you offered, introducing yourself properly to Skylar as she sat and stared at you. She then looked at your hand, cautious as she looked back at you before placing hers in yours and you pulled her to stand up. "New places are scary, huh? Just get through today and you'll be fine" you gave an assuring nod before beckoning Skylar after you so you weren't late for class.

She however waited a moment, watching as you went on ahead, thinking to herself about why you were being kind to her. "He doesn't know that people get hurt when they get close to me" she thought to herself before understanding that to blend in she would need to be around people.

And so Skylar faced a dilemma; should she befriend you or would that be putting you at risk? She didn't know but she went on after you for class.