Nothing is picture perfect

Chapter 3

11

Daniel and Amarais were staring at Stark as he came back over.

 Kylie turned to all of them. "I don't know what it is, but I just don't like her."

"Why?" Daniel asked, his voice tight. "What did she do?"

"Duh, she's here in this school." She rolled her eyes. The whispered to herself, "My school." 

The trio looked at Kylie, confused. Daniel spoke up, "That's not a reason to bully someone, Ky."

"Are you on my side or not?" She warned him angrily. 

Daniel and Amarais exchanged glances, uncomfortable with the situation. "It's not about sides." Daniel said, trying to reason with her. "It's about being decent."

"Since when are you decent? You drew Kung Fu Panda faces on the walls a week ago after school." Kylie said and rolled her eyes at him. 

"That's different. That was a prank." Daniel said with a dismissive wave.

"Was it?" Amarais asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "Sounds like vandalism."

Daniel looked right at her. "You stood guard for me, Mar!"

Yeah that was true. Surprsingly they didn't get caught. Amaris just agreed and nodded,

 Daniel stepped over to Kylie.  "She's just trying to fit in."

"Did you forget who we are?" Kylie lashed out. "We put new kids through hell. We have for the last two years." 

Daniel grabbed her apple. She slapped his arm and tossed it back. "Gross now it has your germs all over it." 

12

Sammi's heart was racing as she watched Kylie and her group from a safe distance. She had managed to avoid them for the rest of the day, but the tension was palpable. She knew it was only a matter of time before they found her again.

The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Students flooded the hallways, eager to escape the confines of the school. Sammi gathered her books, her mind racing with the thought of fleeing the school grounds without encountering Kylie.

"Hey, wait up!" Sammi's heart jumped in her chest. She turned around. It was West, the girl from Spanish class, her long brown hair flopping behind her. She jogged over, "You okay?" West asked, panting slightly. "I heard about Stark."

Sammi nodded, her grip tightening on her backpack. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me." West said, her eyes searching Sammi's. "You don't have to face them alone."

Sammi gave a smile. "I'm okay, really. I just need to get home."

"Come on." West said, her voice firm. "I'll walk you to your bus."

Sammi hesitated, then nodded. The two of them hurried down the hallway. Sammi was grateful for the company. She'd only been in Middleton for a week. And West was the first person her own age who had shown her any kindness.

When they reached the bus bay, West stopped. "Do you see your bus?" 

"Yes." Sammi said, pointing to a yellow school bus with the number 172 emblazoned on the side.

West looked at Sammi, "This bus goes into one of the really nice subdivisions. You're rich, huh?"

Sammi's cheeks turned pink. "My dad bought the place for me and my mom. He has the money not us. They got divorced several years ago, but he loves us and helps out."