The Little Night Light

Chapter 1

A complete, utter, down pour. Just what I wanted to wake up to. No, I didn't see any shining sun, or hear the birds chirping. All I saw was rain cascading down my window and cracks of thunder booming through my body. I groaned as I rolled over in my bed with my panda bear wrapped in my arms securely. It was one of those days where it's gonna be mad hard to get out of my bed. Rainy days make me want to sleep for months. Cuddle with my panda. Maybe eat some nice hot soup. But the last thing I wanted to do was get out of my bed to go to that massive hell hole everyone calls school.

Yep.

That's right.

First day of school.

Junior year.

My bedroom door squeaked open letting the hall way light shine in my eyes. I heard someone whisper some where in the room, but I was too tired to give a damn. A few seconds after the door was open, something furry landed on my face followed by a loud meow.

"Ok ok ok, I'm getting up." My voice was muffled by the belly of my cat Simba. He stood up on all fours and circled around so that he was facing me. His big eyes stared into my eyes as he let out a muffled meow . I smiled as he sniffed my face a couple of times. Yeah sure he's old and all for a cat, but that doesn't stop me from loving him. He's the last pet I have that is still living. In my years I've had two birds, lots of fish and a grumpy cat named Riley. We had to put her down cause of old age. But I guess it was for the better.

"Hey you, still finding the courage to wake me up in the mornings?" I asked him. He responded with a soft meow as he pawed around my bed to put his behind in my face again.

"Ewww buddy," I swatted his butt as he leaped off the bed and out into the hall. I watched him walk out, my eyes trailing to my mother in the door way. She didn't look to happy. Great, another fabulous way to start my first day of school.

"The bus comes in thirty minuets. Lunch money is on the table. I'm leaving for work." She barked and walked away. I heard the front door open then slam shut a couple minuets later. Finally she was gone.

I finally found the strength to get out of bed and get dressed in a grey shirt that has a fox wearing sunglasses on the front. Since it was the first day of school and it was raining, I decided to put on my old, scraggly black sweater. It had white strings coming off of the hood and two pockets. I slipped on some black leggings and my black running sneakers. Ha, I bet you were thinking they were black converse or vans or something like that. Ha, wrong. I don't have the money for those.

Once I was all dressed, I headed down stairs to make some breakfast. Brain food they call it. Mmmm. I took a bowl out of the cabinet and set it on the counter before I went on a man hunt in the fridge for the milk. Damn mother buys everything to eat under the sun and never finishes it all. She walks blames me that I forced her to buy all the food. Like pickles? Radishes? She buys things I despise.

After I finally found the milk, I poured some in my bowl and put it away again. Yes, I am an opposite person. I pour the milk then put the cereal in. Go ahead, shoot me, I don't care. After pouring my cereal in and eating it, 15 minuets had passed by. The bus would be here in another 15 minuets. I looked at the red numbers on the clock in the living room: 6:00am. I should still be sleeping right now, but no, I have to go to stinking school.

Sighing, I quickly put my bowl in the sink and did a final check.

Folders, check, pens, check, sanity? Don't know where the hell I put that. Oh well. Note books and papers and thumb drive? Check, check and check. I'm all good to go.

I grabbed the umbrella hanging on the hook next to the front door and took a deep breath as I popped it open, exiting the house. Rain cascaded down the sides of the umbrella engulfing me in a waterfall, one that I would have difficulty escaping. Normally I would enjoy storms like this, but inside, under a mound of blankets. And my head phones-

Fuck.

I mentally cursed to myself as I fished in my pockets for my headphones. But my hands showed up empty both times. Huffing, I unlocked the door and quickly ran to my room to grab my phone and head phones. Thank god. I wouldn't have made it through the day. I dashed back down stairs and practically ran out side, picking up the soaked umbrella on the way. I closed the door and slowly began to make my way down to the end of my drive way. It wasn't a long one but sure enough, it was a wet one.

I avoided the massive puddles as I walked to the end of the drive way. Even though I managed to avoid the massive ones, my sneakers still managed to get soaked. I groaned in displeasure as the bus finally rolled up to the end of my drive way. The two doors swung open and I was on it in an instant.

Since I was the first stop, I got the first pick of seats. What ever seat I wanted I claimed. Even though the pick up route wasn't atrociously long, quite short should I say, the people that were on my bus were enough to drive me up the wall. This is where if I had forgotten my headphones I would've killed myself.

Unfortunately, 20 minuets later the bus is roaring with laughter and foul language. Yes, it's early in the morning. But it doesn't stop the jocks, sluts and whores from being assholes. Every now and then a foot ball would be thrown in my seat. You can imagine the fury. But being me, myself and I, I always try to be kind and throw it back.

Except for not this time.

It happened when I was listening to one of my Secondhand Serenade songs.

Whack!

The foot ball connected with the back of my head. Now I was pissed. I took the ball and chucked it to the back as hard as I could. I was done with their foolish bullshit and their sassy attitudes. They don't know how good they have it. They don't know the pain that happens to me everyday. And even if they did. I can almost guarantee that none of them would give a damn.

"Hey what was that for little ghost?" One of the jocks said holding the foot ball in his hand. I didn't respond and sat there with a small headache starting to form.

"She's probably just PMS-ing." One of the girls said. That's a nice way to piss me off even more.

"Ew. No wonder why no one fucks around with her." I clenched my fists and clamped my jaw to keep myself from externally combusting.

To my luck, the bus had reached the school, parking in the bus circle. The doors opened and I was off that bus in an instant. The want to be in the school was so high it was incomprehensible. I know I don't talk in school and everyone makes fun of me, but the teachers are great. School is my safe place. And I'd do anything to live here.

I paced to my locker and put the combo in faster than the eye can see. Of corse I can be off by a number or two because the locks suck but hey. It's whatever. As I opened my locker, revealing all my text books and binders, a note on my white board caught my eye.

Piper

It's Louise. I just wanted to say have a great day! My boyfriend dropped me off really early today. You know we made that car shake ;) anyways. Have a great day my sister! Love you!

Ps. There's a new boy in school this year out of the 10 new people. I hear he's in our grade and really freakin hot. Try to make friends with him. Maybe you won't be lonely for the rest of your life. Love you.

I stared blankly at the board and blinked. I didn't know what to think or how to take the news.

Snapping out of my trans, I grabbed the books I needed and put my umbrella inside as well.

Taking one last look at the white board, I shut my locker door and went to my first period class.