Unveilded by the Depths

Plans and Change

I sit on a bench in the park just down the road from school. I walked at a snail's pace but it's still only 6:15 and I have 45 minutes until I want to be anywhere near school. I learned my lesson about getting there too early when the principal called my mother. Not risking that, ever again. I look down at my backpack and do a mental inventory. Computer, phone, identity documents including my birth certificate, cash, and my bank card. The key to my locker at Oliver's gym where I stashed a bag of clothes.

I have schoolbooks and papers in my bag, but I plan to leave them in my locker at the end of the day. One of the forms I filled out yesterday was a request for my diploma as I had more than enough credits. I put my personal po box address on it, so she will never know. The po box is paid up for six months, giving me time to get a forwarding address.

I'll have to ditch my phone when I do my first loop-d-loop or whatever it's called. Basically, the first of my five planned changes of direction, clothing, and mode of transportation. I've planned but left room to change things. I've seen enough movies to know if you have your plan too set in stone, you'll get stuck. Better to be flexible and ready to swivel.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, reminding me to head to school. I get up and start my final day. After the last bell rings, my life changes forever.

For the first time, I sit on the bench at the bus drop off. Shay grins at me when her bus unloads. "Better?" she asks.

"And less pokey," I agree.

She motions for me to wait. I see her watching the other teens. Once they are almost to school, she turns back to me. "So, 18 now."

"Yes." I smile. It was a heady thought, being legally free of my mother.

"Do you feel different?"

I crook my face at her. "Different?"

"Stronger, braver, more powerful?"

I laugh but nod. "All of the above actually."

"Perfect," she says then motions me to start walking.

"Why are you asking?"

She rolls her eyes at me. "It's your 18th birthday. W-Day."

I have no idea what she's saying, but I don't care. This could be my last few minutes with her. I am going to relish her friendship, not question her sanity. "Right."

School is typical, nothing notable. Lunch rolls around and Marin stays away from us. "You trust her to be done?" I ask Shay.

Shay hands me her dessert, a piece of chocolate cake. "Happy birthday. And, no, I will never trust her."

I take the cake and enjoy every bite.

Sixth period ends and I head towards the backstairs to get to the gym. The locker rooms are accessed from the second story. I hear a scream and see a girl fly down the stairs at me. I try to catch her but only manage to slow her down.

"Don't look at him again, bitch," Marin screams from the top.

I squat down next to the girl. I've never seen her before, which means she's a freshman. "What happened?"

She groans. "She said I looked at her boyfriend."

Having some experience, I see her arm is broken. Judging by her breathing, she also has at least one broken rib. My eyes narrow and my face tightens. I stand up, my hands making fists at my sides. My body filling with an unfamiliar but powerful sense of strength, both physical and mental. "Enough is enough," I mutter and race up the stairs to find a leering, triumphant Marin. "What the hell? She could have died!" I bellow.