The First Day

Chapter 1

"Um... excuse me," I stuttered nervously, my blue converse squeaking against the floor, "I'm new to Millicon High, and I don't really know my way around... Could you possibly show me where Mrs. Bradford's art classroom is?"

 I was talking to a lightly tanned average sized girl with hair as white as a cloud and eyes the shade of hazelnuts. She was wearing black ankle boots, some blue jeans, and a minty green top. She was standing by her locker getting out her supplies. Her locker was right next to mine.

She flashed me a bright smile and replied, "I would love to! In fact that's where I'm headed next too! I'm Lachina Misuki! Nice to meet you! What's your name?"

"Um... it's Aurora Chiyo," I clutched my folders and binder I had in my hands, "If it's not too much trouble."

Lachina smiled again and exclaimed, "This way!" I followed her through the many hallways of Millicon High School. Each hallway looked the same, each wall had a row of neat grey lockers, with students clustered all throughout the narrow space.

 "So how's your first day going so far? Oh and I love your outfit by the way!" Lachina exclaimed as I examined my clothes.

 I was wearing black, leather, high-heeled boots that went up to my knees. With navy blue jeggings matched with a white tank top and a light blue leather jacket. My hazel brown hair was adorned with a blue butterfly clip that was hung on the right side, keeping my bangs from falling into my face. 

I couldn't help but smile at her compliment. "Thanks for the compliment! I like your outfit too! The mint color totally goes well with your hair! My day has been pretty good so far... haven't had any immediate issues," I replied, "Though this is definitely the craziest and most vociferous school I've ever been in."

Lachina was about to reply but then there was a sudden commotion up ahead. A loud voice bellowed over the chit-chat of the other students, "Hey, McSouthers! You better have that lunch money today! You know how it is, no money, there's lots of... well you figure it out nerd!" Lots of boisterous laughing erupted from the scene unfolding in front of the two girls. 

Ahead of them stood a tall broad shouldered guy with auburn hair and mucky green eyes. I almost couldn't see him, but there was a skinny blonde crouched by a locker. I could see obvious welts appearing on his face and arms.

"Oh dear..." Lachina whispered quietly under her breath.

"Who is that?" I demanded in the loudest whisper I could.

Lachina pointed at the blond, "That's Brandon McSouthers, he's one of the smarter people in school and that's why he gets picked on. And that's..." she pointed at the auburn haired guy, "Brutus Pinchiette... the one who does all the hitting."

"That's horrible!" I exclaim, whispering as loudly as I could, "Why doesn't anybody stop him? It's obvious Brandon needs some help! We should at least try to get the teachers involved!"

Lachina looked at me and told me, "Trust me Aurora, you aren't the only person who thinks that... and anyone who tries to stop him... just ends up getting hit too." I saw the desperation in her eyes, "Please Aurora... please don't try to get involved in this. You see what happens to those who do." She gestures at Brandon, "At the beginning of the year, Brandon helped one of the victims of Brutus. And now look where it has got him."

"C'mon," she said taking my arm and pulling me away from the scene.

"Has things always been like this? In school, I mean..." I asked Lachina quietly.

She just sighed and repeated, "Don't try to get involved Aurora... I don't want to see another new student go on Brutus' hit list."

A few moments later we had arrived at the art room. Lachina smiled and said, "Now prepare to be amazed! Here is..." She opens the door, "the art room!"

I gasped as I saw what lay before me. Ahead lay a large room, the walls plastered with various colorful paintings and sketches. Shelves upon shelves were filled to the brim with various clay figures. All that arose was the smell of acrylic paint. The smell made my eyes water slightly. Large square tables were scattered around the room, with groups of students clustered around them. In the corner of the room stood two pottery wheels, nestled in the alcove between different colored cabinets. Overall, the room looked like a rainbow had thrown up all over it. 

At that moment, all I could think about was the fruit loops I had for breakfast. But, strangely I was comforted by the chaos that was the art room. It was the perfect place for her to unwind and just relax.

When I stepped into the room the sound of chatting, screaming and yelling students erupted in my ears. I thought to myself, Well what do you know... Mom was right, they're all just a bunch of screaming chimps. 

Carefully, Lachina and I tried to inconspicuously make our way to our assigned seats. While the seating chart was displayed on the whiteboard roughly only 30% of the students were sitting down.

"Hey, what do you know!" I had to speak loudly or Lachina couldn't hear me over all the noise, "We're sitting next to each other!"

Lachina flashed me a huge grin as she sat down next to me. Across the table from us sat two boys. One was a blackette, with deep wine red eyes. Suddenly I recognized the guy sitting next to him at the table. It was none other than Brandon McSouthers.