The Witch Trials

~14~

  I wake up with my hair tangled around my face and my heart racing. I sit up quickly and smooth my hair away. I place my hands over my heart and wait for it to slow down. I walk over to the mirror, my pale face looks eerie in the morning dark. I turn my head and see a red mark across my left cheek. The women, her name is Darla, smacked me last night. I remember the cold shock when it happened. I asked her why she through my clothes away, and that she had no right to. Then she slapped me, plain and simple. Her husband didn't even blink. I ball my stupid night gown in my fist and walk into the bathroom. I have to go to school today. The bathroom is cold and clean, the same as this whole house. I change into a lose, soft, cranberry sweater and dark skinny jeans. I brush my hair. It has gotten very long and thick. I can't put it in a ponytail or it will pull on my scalp. I brush it and braid it to the side. The long rope of shiny hair reaches past my waist. I slip on a pair of almost knee high boots and grab the bag that was laid on the chair by my bed. I reluctantly creep down the stairs. I am offered breakfast but I refuse. It's probably poisoned or something.
   "Ew you're so skinny!" Darla looks me up and down. I want to tell her she's looking a bit chunky herself, but I decide against it. I big yellow bus honks at me as I slip out the door. I jog to it and get on. No one knows I've never done this before. I sit down in an empty seat and glance around. People stare at me and I stare back. Weirdos. I know they're whispering about me. I have really good hearing. I stare at the seat in front of me, tracing the lines with my eyes. Some guy sits down next to me out of no where. I jump.
   "Didn't mean to surprise you." He smiles. He's already annoying me.
   "It's fine." I look out the window.
    "You're new." He doesn't ask, he states.
    "Yes." I reply sharply. I see Ethan (the boy I live with) chatting with his friends. He glances at me and our eyes meet. He's obnoxious. I can feel the guy next to me staring at me and I snap my head over.
   "I'm Alex." He sticks his hand out. I shake his hand, even though I don't want to. He doesn't let go fast enough so I pull my hand away.
   "You are?" He raises his eyebrows.
   "Rowen" I mumble. There's a ringing in my head and I know I might get a vision. I see Alex put his hand around me and I come back to reality, just in time to duck his arm. He plays it off like he was stretching. I fiddle with my braid. The bus stops so quickly I smack my nose into the seat. Everyone starts getting off, so I do as well.