Just Jump

V. Brianna

"Miss Gutierrez," the teacher called. My head snapped towards the teacher.

"Yes, Mrs. Bruner," I said closing my notebook.'

"Could you tell the class your opinion on the subject." Crap. I looked at the board, thankfully the lesson plan was still up. Current Events.

"Um, I believe that it's a very important topic, that people need to pay more attention to." I hope she couldn't see my bluff. She nodded, thank goodness.

"Very good Miss Gutierrez," she said, " but please look as if you're paying attention." I nodded and she continued on her lecture. I still didn't know exactly what we were talking about. I rested my head on my hand and watched her go on and on about dilemmas in the world. I never understood the purpose of english class. Why talk about current events in English?

"So pick a current event, any event, and I want a three page report on my desk Monday morning." That's why. There were groans around the classroom.

"Stop whining and get started," she said taking a seat at her desk. Everyone began writing in their notebooks. I opened my notebook back up. I was drawing a pair of eyes before Mrs. Bruner saw I wasn't paying attention.

I continued sketching until the bell rang. I closed my sketch book and got up. As soon as I turned out of my desk I crashed into someone. I fell back, missing the chair, and my back scraped against the metal chair. I held back a yelp and bit my lip.

"Oh. I'm sorry," he said. I shook my head and kept my head down.

"It's fine," I said. I heard their footsteps get faint and stood up. My back stung, and I knew I had broken skin. I left the classroom and made my way to the restroom. No one noticed me as they were trying to get out of the school,, but they still bumped me. Finally I reached the restroom, I pushed the door open with my elbow.

"And then he told me-" We all stopped. There were two girls already in the restroom, probably sophomores. I continued into the restroom and walked into the stall. One of the girls gasps. They whispered to each other as I stripped off my shirt. The back had little holes from the neck to the hem. I sighed and dug through my bag for a shirt. There was a knock on the stall door.

"Yes," I called.

"Um... do you need help?" she asked. There was a pause.

"I mean we saw your shirt and it was bloody and torn and Sarah has some wipes and antibiotic cream." I thought about it, then finally opened the door. Their eyes widened and I forgot I was only in my sports bra.

"You have wipes," I asked. One of the girls nodded her head and reached in her bag. The other girl stuck out her hand.

"I'm Jane, that's Sarah," I shook her hand and Sarah handed me a pack of wipes.

"Could you... " I said looking at the wipes.

"Of course," Jane said.

"Come out and brace yourself on the sink," Sarah said, "It's gonna burn a little bit." I did as I said. When the cold wipe slid across my back I flinched and sucked in a breath.

"Sorry," Jane said. I just shook my head.

"So what's your name," Sarah asked.

"Brianna," I let out. I clenched my jaw as they cleaned the scrapes.

"How did this happen? There are some really deep scrapes."

"Umm... this kid ran into me and I fell. Scraped my back against the side of the chair. You know how the chairs are. If you do so much as sit down wrong and you'll cut yourself." We all lets out little chuckles. We were silent as they applied the cream onto my back.