I Just Wanted A Friend

Chapter 1

I'm lying on my cardboard in the basement, which serves as my bed. I was dirty from not being able to shower, my clothes stunk and were ratted, and my hair was untamed and greasy. My parents hated me, I was sure. I had to stay in the basement all day, except going to school. I got one meal per day, if I was lucky. I wasn't allowed to have friends, and if I talked to my parents or my little sister, they would beat me.

I started my new school today. Mother and father made us move when I got invited to go to a birthday party. Father told me I was worthless and nobody should have to bear my presence longer than a few minutes. Everybody in my new class stared at me and whispered about me, but I was used to it so I didn't mind. When it was time for gym, we tossed a football to a partner. I got paired with a girl named Jenna. Everybody laughed and told her they felt bad for her, but I didn't mind. When she tossed me the football, it slipped out of my hands and fell to the ground, and everyone laughed, even the teacher. Everyone, but Jenna. She walked over to me, picked up the ball and put it in my hands. She leaned towards my ear and whispered. "It's okay Emilie."

I woke up to mother screaming at me to go get on the bus. I threw on some jeans and grabbed the only jacket I had and ran out the door. I was silently praying the whole bus ride to school, that Jenna was at school today. If I keep our friendship to myself, then maybe mother and father won't move us, and I can have a friend. 

When I walked into my classroom, everyone’s heads were on the desk and Miss. Taylor was crying. What going on, I thought. Just then the overhead speakers came on.

"Due to the tragic death of one of our students, Jenna Rose, school will be out for the rest of today and tomorrow. Please escort the children to their buses at this time."

My only chance; my only hope. My only friend, is dead. I just wanted a friend.

A/N**-- So what do you think? I've been working on a different story so I started this one to try and mix things up. I've never really tried to do this type of story, but I'm giving it a shot. Please comment and let me know what you think. Update sometime tomorrow.