Heavy Rain

Chapter 1

"Mason Adams?"

"Here."

"Amanda Baney?"

"Here."

I sit in boredom as the teacher rolls through attendance. I can't seem to focus on anything anymore. Only my hospital visit. And that girl from the hall.

"Anthony Daniels?"

I am about to raise my hand when a busty blonde from the back with make up that looks like a clown did it speaks.

"He's dead!" She smirks at me. I sigh, shaking my head.

I raise my hand, waving it slightly. I flash the teacher a nod, signaling that I'm here. She smiles sadly, shaking her head. I guess I'm not the only one who sees my pain.

I look down at my new notebook and I label it 'Maths.' I open to the front page and start sketching. Nothing in particular do I draw, no, I just let the pencil do the work. There's no need to take notes, I don't care about my grades anymore. I don't care about anything.

The class drags on. I glance down at my sketch, a look of confusion etching itself on my features. Why did I draw the girl from the hallway? I look at her eyes and see the pain she's hiding from me. Her face holds a smile, but there's pain and hurt behind her happy facade. It's captivating.

"Anthony, do you have the answer?" Mrs. Weirton breaks me from my thoughts. I look up at her, shaking my head. She smiles.

"It's alright. Anyone else?" I look back down once she looks away.

At least one teacher understands.

After 20 more minutes of boring chat about pi and other useless math terms, the bell rings.

"Alright everyone! This packet is due in three days. It's to help show me what you know." I stand, packing my stuff into my bag. I grab the packet and turn to make my way back out.

"Uhm, Anthony? May I see you for a few extra moments?" Mrs. Weirton smiles, waving me over. Oh great, trouble on the first day.

Mrs. Weirton is a middle aged woman, petite and fragile looking. She has straight white teeth and she's always smiling. I admire her for that.

"I realize you aren't much of a talker are you?" She asks. I shake my head, signaling no.

"The kids seem to be really cruel and I'm going to apologize on their behalf. They think they're so high and mighty, but in a few years, no one is going to remember who they are." She smiles softly. I nod in agreement.

"Just tell me if you need anything Anthony. I'll be there." I nod, a small smile on my lips.

"You should get going, wouldn't want to be late." She says dismissively and I nod, walking out.

I walk the halls aimlessly. It's my free period and I do not feel like working on more math. My headphones are blasting in my ears. Hollywood Undead is currently playing Coming Back Down.

'I just can't escape,

It's like you're here with me now,

But the words you say they always seem to fade out,

Since you've been away I'm just a face in the crowd,

Some day, some day,

I know you're coming back down.'

I walk to my locker, only to find it drawn on with permanent marker.

"Loser."

"Freak."

"Die."

"Here's a razor."

"Faggot."

I sigh, sliding to the floor, my knees up with my forehead resting on them. What did I do to deserve this? My eyes close, blocking out the world.

Only minutes later, something taps my knee, causing my head to look up. It's Emily. She pulls out one of my ear buds and she smiles sadly.

"Is this yours?" She points to the locker behind me; I nod. She sighs and shakes her head.

"Some people are just pricks. Dumbasses." She mumbles, pulling out a bottle of a pinkish liquid. I look at her confused.

"It's hand sanitizer, it'll get the marker off." She smiles. I stand up, looking disbelieving. She can't be serious, that's permanent!

She takes a few tissues from her bag and squeezes some hand sanitizer on them and starts to wipe the locker, the marker disappearing. I smile, watching her. She's a short little thing, coming to about my chest. Her hair is long-ish, a deep red-brown color. Her eyes. They're so beautiful. A light green with specks of gold in them. She's beautiful.

"It's not polite to stare." She scolds playfully. I look at her eyes which are on mine.

"I never got your name." She crosses her arms over her chest. I go in my bag and pull out my notebook for maths and point to my name.

"You don't speak?" She asks and I shake my head. I haven't uttered a word since the accident. I'm capable of it, but I don't do it.

She takes a step closer, studying my face, which is shielded by my hood. I look away quickly.

She grabs my hand. I look down at it with wide eyes. What is she doing?

"I've seen the way they treat you." She whispers, shaking her head, "I wish they'd stop." She gives me a sad smile.

My eyes meet hers and her face saddens at all the pain in my eyes.

"I'm going to stay here with you until the period is over." She smiles and sits, pulling me down next to her. I look over at her, confused. Who is she? Never before in my life have I met a girl so... So... Different. I cock my head to the side, studying her.

"We're going to have a conversation." She smiles, sitting cross legged in front of me. She flips to a random page in my notebook and hands me a pen.

"Write your responses." She smiles and I nod.

"What grade are you in? How old are you?" She asks. I write my reply.

"17. Senior."

"Well I'm 16. And I'm a junior." She smiles. She looks so happy, causing a ghost of a smile to appear.

"Why don't you smile?" She asks, I reply.

"It's hard to lie. It's hard to pretend I'm happy."

"Why aren't you happy?" She asks softly, almost as if she's afraid I'll lash out at her.

"It's hard to tell. A long story. It's really sort of a downer."

"We'll save it for another day. Do you have a phone?" She asks.

"Yes."

"Text me then." She writes her number on my hand and on the paper.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I write and show her.

"Because I don't see the point of being mean to someone who I haven't met. And they have no reason to mock you Anthony. You're so nice. You say nothing malicious or rude. You keep to yourself. Even though everyone can see you're in pain, you don't brag about it." Her eyes meet mine and I can't help but keep my eyes on hers. They're so alluring. I write so I have an excuse to look away.

"You don't need to be made fun of for being near me."

"I don't care." She smiles. The high pitched bell echoes and I stand along with her.

"Meet me at your locker before lunch. We'll go together." She smiles and hugs me quickly. I freeze, tensing up. I back up into my locker, my eyes wide.

"Anthony, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-" I cut her off by running down the hall, running from my fears.

---Emily's POV---

Why'd be run? What'd I do? I hugged him. Did I screw everything up now? I couldn't hide the guilt and sadness on my face. I feel like I hurt him. I didn't do anything though! Why is he running from me? So I decided to do what felt right. I ran after him.