FAUX REALITIES

Thought Of You (PREVIEW I)

Drones.

That's what I thought our teacher sounded like this morning, it was the first class of the day but it was proving to be a struggle to concentrate I wondered how the other classes would be if I got through this without drooling.

We've been at it for nearly an hour since it was double period when I felt a dark aura gather around me and and the entire class, the presence was so dark I suddenly felt depressed. I looked up from my latest drawing to find out I wasn't the only one that felt it and that's when I saw her.

Archibald.

Standing in the doorway with a dead expression etched on her face as usual she looked like she didn't belong here or anywhere at all. From the way she stood it was clear she didn't know whether to walk in or just turn back around and walk away.

But the teacher made the decision for her after he snapped back to reality.

"Oh Miss Archibald how nice of you to join us. Take your seat"

All eyes followed her as she took her regular seat in the middle row, the seat no one dared to sit, the same seat which hasn't been occupied since the last time she was in school and that last time it was with bruises on her face which set fire to the rumour of her being an underground MMA  fighter.

The teacher cleared his throat drawing everyone's attention back to the class and continued from where he'd stopped ignoring the big elephant in the middle of the room.

My friend Fred who sat beside me looked at me and shared a knowing smirk with me and I just rolled my eyes knowing exactly what he was thinking.

Once the bell signifying the end of the class went off everyone dashed out -well almost everyone I was the exception -a little too eagerly and I bet it was to share the news of her return to school or probably to get as far away from her as possible acting as if she was contagious.

After handing the teacher the class attendance I stepped into the hallway and headed to my locker. Fred was already there waiting with that same smirk I sighed knowing what he was going to say already and there was no stopping him when he gets going.

"I don't want to hear it" I said as soon as I reached him but he just grinned and looked about to talk but stared off at something behind me which made me turn to look at what it was. Make that a who.

She was coming down the hall, chins up head raised looking almost regal - if you don't consider her attire - which made us all look like peasants she didn't spare anyone a glance just looked straight ahead as if it was empty.

That's when a girl tripped right in front of her everyone held their breaths it felt like all the oxygen was suddenly sucked out of the halls. Her expression went from blank to shocked in a millisecond and then back to blank.

The girl kept trying to get up but kept tripping over herself it was quiet embarrassing for her to say the least. Even when she tried stepping around her to get by. She sighed suddenly and looped her bag around her properly before reaching a hand out to the girl on the floor, there was a collective gasp.

I was about to step towards them when I stopped short, instead of hitting her like everyone expected she grabbed the girl and pulled her up with considerable strength then placed her sideways so she wouldn't get in her way anymore and started to walk away at least until the girl grabbed her arm.

"Thank you" the girl said in a timid voice that carried through the halls she just looked at the arm the girl held before looking at the girl then nodded slowly before she shrugged it then walked away.