The Battle

Alyssa Tanzer

"ALYSSA FAE TANZER!

YOURE GOING TO BE LATE!

I wake up to these words just about every morning.

I roll out of bed and go to my bathroom. I brush my teeth and put on my black leggings with my burgundy sweater, white infinity scarf and brown riding boots. Then I brush through my long brown hair before putting it in a messy bun.

"ALYSSA" my mom screamed as I walk down the stairs. "I'm right here mom" I simply say not wanting to start another argument this morning. I pick up my book bag and pocketbook off the floor by the counter and start to open the door Are you really trying to leave without telling your dad bye? my dad walks around the counter with a protein bar in hand, sorry dad, mom doesn't want me being late again he kisses me on the forehead and hands me the protein bar, have a good day honey. I smile at him and head outside to wait for the bus.

At exactly 6:30 the bus arrives. The door opens and I climb in walking to the sixth row. I sit down next to Nicole my best friend. "You will never believe what happened" everyday there's more gossip to talk about "Katelyn and Jackson broke up. This makes me smile, not even the golden couple can stay together. "Katelyn was devastated of course, apparently Jackson cheated on her, Caroline told me"

What else has the great Caroline told you lately?

Nicole drones on and on about all the drama at Green meadows High School, as I stare out the window.

"You should seriously stop listening to her all the time, she's wrong sometimes you know" I say as we walk off the bus, arriving at Green Meadows High School. "I know that, but at the same time its good to have information." We walk through the doors of hell, and there he is leaning against one of the columns with this huge smile on his face. Nichole's voice fades into the background, all I see is him. Ally Alyssa??? Nicole tries to get my attention but I can hardly hear her, Alyssa Fae?? suddenly he disappears, w-what? I stammer trying to reclaim my grip on reality. Sweetie are you okay? she looks so scared.

Im fine, lets go.

We begin walking to our lockers, Nichole wearing that worried expression what did you see? Why wont you ever tell me what you saw?

Because i saw him, and it doesnt matter anyway. I know hes dead

Oh

Oh? All she can say is oh???? We reach our lockers. Look I know this is hard for you, its only been a month. Omg its been one month. Oh my God sweetie I'm so sorry I completely blanked I should have known. I should have remember-

Nicky. Stop okay, I don't want to think about it. I dont want to talk about it. I grab my books and begin to walk away

Ally Im sorry

Its only been a month since he died. No, he didn't die, he took his own life. He made the choice to leave. One month ago he held that gun to his head and pulled the trigger. My dad was the one that told me. Life hasnt been the same since, but at the same time everyday since has felt the same. Albert Ray Floyd Jr. Aka A.J. my best friend, my one true love, killed himself. And there's no one else to blame but myself.

I walk into my first class, A.P Literature with Mrs. Blake and head straight for the back, I sit at my normal desk in the corner as the classroom begins to fill up. No one sits beside me, no one pays attention to me, Im almost invisible now. But just one month ago, I had it all.

Alright girls, great practice, just 3 laps and then youre dismissed I yell out after the sixth run through of the routine. But before anyone moves Caroline burst out

You call that great? Jessica is still one count behind in the dance, Nicole is still reaching down during her aerial, Izzy's double hook looks more like herkie, and it doesnt stop there. If we want to beat the Wildcats we have to be perfect. all the girls stand waiting for my response,

Jessica is a count behind because her roundoff-back handspring that she uses to get in formation throws her off by one count, which she has already agreed to work on. Nicole and Izzy have both agreed to stay after practice to work on the tumbling pass and jump sequence. And Care, I think you should worry more about the height of your groups basket toss before you point out anyone else's flaws. Now everyone, three laps and youre dismissed, except Caroline, I want you to stay behind for a minute so we can talk.

The girls take off running as Caroline struts in my direction. Look Care, Im the captain this year and were going to do this my way. If you have a problem with that you can quit, but for what it's worth I hope you don't. I give her a half smile and take off to run my laps knowing she wont do the same. I turn my head back to Caroline, and just like I thought she was gone.