Nobody Said Life Was Going to be Easy. And I, Should Have Known Better

5: A turning Point

I shut my alarm off and stared up at the ceiling. Sighing, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. 5:30 comes too fast. I turned on my light and changed into black skinny jeans, an off-the-shoulder t-shirt and belt around my waist. I fixed my hair, putting a headband on, gathered up my stuff and padded down the stairs.

"Wow, someone's ready early." Mrs. Jones exclaimed while pouring herself a bowl of cereal. I peek at the clock, 6am. Jeez, I could have slept later. I quickly remembered the dream and retracted that thought. I poured myself some cereal and sat down with Mrs. Jones.

"How did you sleep dear?"

"Alright I guess, I had that weird dream again. I don't know where it comes from."

Mrs. Jones gave me a conflicted look. She reached over the table and gave my hand a squeeze.

"Mr. Jones and I, well we have something you need to know. You're old enough to hear this..." Before she could finish James, Lisa, Cayden and Jennifer came bounding down the stairs, arguing about something.

"We'll tell you after school, okay?" Mrs. Jones questioned.

"Sure, okay." I replied

"Jenn! You had way longer in the bathroom, I didn't even get to finish putting on my make-up. Look! I only have eye-liner on one eye!"

"Lisa, you always hog the bathroom, I told you, today is picture day for middle school. I need to look good!"

"Well, looking like a raccoon is not considered attractive!"

"Ugh, girls." James sighed.

I watched in amusement as they continued to bicker. The familiar sound of the bus screeching to a halt brought me back ot reality as i gathered up my things and headed out the door to my usual seat. I looked around for Vince but decided he must have drove because he was nowhere to be found. We arrived at school, I shoved my necessary books into my locker and headed to the library where we all usually sat. Although when I entered I didn't see any of them. Turning around to leave, i heard a cat call from a table nearby. I instantly regret looking because it was no other than the dumb, dumber and dumbest trio.

"'Sup cutie from art...ie?" Dumbest questioned. I rolled my eyes and turned back around, catching Todd punch him in the jaw out of the corner of my eye.

"Todd King! Don't think I didn't see that! Office, now!" The librarian gasped. The bell rang I started walking to class but felt guilty. Ugh, there's no reason to feel guilty. I did nothing. Yeah but he stuck up for you? Shut up conscious. I sighed and detoured my way to the office. I heard the principal yelling. I knocked on the door, ignoring the receptionist insisting he was busy. A pause in the yelling.

"Yes?"

I peeked in.

"Umm, sir? I just wanted to let you know, Todd was trying to stick up for me...that jer--I mean kid made a comment and he deserved--"

"I understand that Miss. Ramslee. But punching someone in the face is unacceptable behavior. it is not tolerated, regardless."

"Yes, sir." I walked out of his office and up to the art room.

"Annalise, you're late. Please sit."

"Sorry Mrs. Juneon."

I sat down next to the pair of snickering boys, giving each one a glare before taking out my sketchbook. I started sketching a still life when the door opened to Todd. He handed the teacher a note.

"I see Todd. Please sit at that table over there. I don't want a repeat of yesterday." He sighed and looked at his friends grimly but his expression softened when he looked my way. Ten or so minutes pass when Mrs. Juneon comes around to look at our progress. I tensed and braced myself for her screeching at the two delinquents behind me. Much to my disappointment she didn't and just sighed.

"Alright, that's an improvement, just make sure you remember that if an item is behind something it is smaller."

As soon as she finished making her rounds the bell rang.

"Okay kids, tomorrow we will finish these."

Before she could finish talking Todd was already out of the room. I picked my shit up and hurried after him.

"Todd! Hey! Wait up?" I was almost there when he stopped too abruptly with no time for me to stop so I ran into him.

"Sorry! Don't stop so fast next time?" He turned around and smirked.

"I always knew you couldn't resist me"

"Psh, please. Get over yourself." He looked at me a second longer and turned around.

"Wait! Look, I just wanted to say thanks for earlier...you know."

I thought I heard a mumble that sounded like no problem as he walked away. I huffed and walked to English. I sat down next to McKenna.

"So what was that about?"

She raised her eyebrows.

"What?"

"You and that Todd guy?"

"When?"

"Oh my god Anna! Just now, don't play blond, I saw you!"

"Would you guys like to share that juicy information with the rest of the class?"

"No Mr. Farlow" we recited.

"Back to what I was saying..."

I wrote what happened and passed the note to McKenna. I soon got a reply.

Oh Jeez, he's rude.

The rest of the day seemed to blur by. I soon found myself in front of my house and remembered what Mrs. Jones said this morning. I wonder what's going on.