More Than Money (#Wattys2015)

Chapter Two: The First Day Of Failure

Nearly one week later, it was Gregory's first day at his new school. And he was not fond of the idea in the slightest. He'd always been homeschooled, so he couldn't understand why that of all things had to change.

"Father, I wish to be homeschooled." He told his father for the dozenth time. "You know I am not fond of... others."

"Gregory, you will be fine. I promise. This is a chance to make friends, something you've never done before."

"I was friends with Horacio." He countered sharply, looking his father dead in the eye.

"That's enough out of you. Now go on, the bus will be here shortly."

Gregory sighed heavily, walking outside with his backpack full of his school supplies. He waited at his front lawn, where the bus would stop. There was another boy there as well.

"So," He smirked. "You're the new kid, right?"

Gregory glanced over at him. "Yes. What is it to you?"

The boy shrugged. "Nothing, man. Just heard you were coming."

"From whom?"

The boy scoffed. "Uh, everybody. Rich family from England coming over to a place like Illinois? People are bound to hear about that."

"Believe me, I'd rather not be here at all."

"I'll bet. You and your rich, snobby family. I bet you went to a school made of pure gold where you came from, Brit."

Gregory detected a bit of an insulting tone in this boy's voice, but thought nothing of it. Perhaps this was how all Illinois people spoke. "No. I was homeschooled."

The boy chuckled. "Oh, of course. Too good to spend eight hours surrounded by lowly peasants, my mistake." He mocked.

He was definitely picking up on his harshness. "You best watch your tongue."

"Or what, Brit twit?"

"Stop it." He growled at the boy.

"Oh no, is your butler gonna call my parents on me?"

"I said stop it!" He snapped, glaring at the boy.

They stared each other down for a long while, until the school bus finally arrived. Gregory was about to board until the other boy shoved him back and got on first. Gregory sneered, hating the entire country for a single person at the moment.

The bus seemed to be quite full, he noticed. He looked for an empty seat, finding none, until he found a seat with only one girl sitting there. He was about to sit down, until she placed her backpack in the empty space. "Sorry. Taken." She deadpanned.

There were no other options, so he was forced to sit in the middle of the aisle. This was pure hell for him. He didn't want to be here in the first place, and now he was already an outcast. He heard snickering from the other students, and knew the laughter was directed at him. He didn't like the laughter, not one bit.

He felt the occasional paper wad thrown at the back of his head, followed by a small chorus of laughter from the students. It was unfair to him. He hadn't even done anything wrong, yet all these strangers continuously pestered him simply because they wanted to. What kind of place was America?

They soon got to the school, and he quickly tried to depart, only to be continuously shoved back so the others could get off first. He was eventually able to get off the bus, but at this point, he didn't want to carry on any longer. He was ready to give up and hide, never showing his face to anyone ever again. It would be best that way, since everyone already seemed to hate him for some unknown reason.