Damaged Goods (Book 1)

5.

Walking through these halls feels like a horror movie you've seen too many times. Everything is the same and yet you notice micro touches of time and personality that are different every time. I can see the memories trying to surface and I slide my sunglasses high on my face and send my thoughts to literally anything else. Abby stopped waved her hand dramatically at the door she was now standing proudly beside and then walked to the one across the hall.

"You guys behave, and I'll meet you here after class. Go." Even with the sickly-sweet way, she said it I knew she'd be waiting with some kind of physical consequence she deemed fit. Abby has always been bossy, but I'm starting to think it's not her fault and is just a side effect of a kink.

"All right mate, show time." Asher grabbed the handle and swung the door open just shy of banging against the wall. Following his lead, I stepped into the class and took a quick survey of the room. Limited seating as the class was large, with three huge windows, and only one door. It's a habit of mine, to recognize the windows and exists, I developed in "boarding school", we can't forget it was a boarding school. Walking behind Asher I notice all the peanut galleries perk up and instantly start to pick us apart with their gaze. I keep my head high and my face bored as we are asked to introduce ourselves to the class.

"I am Asher. First time in America and I am very happy to meet you all." Asher said in his usual laid-back fashion. I don't notice that it's my turn to speak until Asher stifles a laugh.

"Right... Uhh, I'm Jayvien. Hi." I said and made my way to one of the few seats left in the center of the class. It was right under a huge vent that pulsed with cold air, so I can see why it was undesirable, but as someone who preferred the slight chill, it was perfect. In my initial scan, I saw a few faces of minor old tormentors, but no one who I deem a threat. The lesson continued on and luckily Asher managed to be scowled more times than I did for talking to our very beautiful desk neighbors or being on our phones. The hour class moved slowly, but as soon as the bell rang the class all seemed to breathe and scurry along. Abigail was outside the class waiting on us promptly and for most of the day, this was the normal routine.

During the last class, I noticed Heath and some others would look at me from time to time. Almost as if they were picking apart my appearance to see if it was really me. I grew almost half a foot and put on some weight, but my features didn't change all that much. Asher was too busy flirting and getting gossip from the chatty girl next to him. Asher always wanted to know everything about wherever he was, and always said information was always something of use. I distracted myself by answering some unread text and Instagram DM's. "Ok. The bell will ring in about three minutes. You all have the things you need so if you wanna go you may."

I gathered up my stuff and left. Asher was getting some girl's number and I was approached by two girls, two very different brunettes. I had a thing for brunettes. I watch them approach one more confident than the other and just lean against the wall. As they settle in front of me the taller one smiles seductively while batting her eyes. I remember this man-eater smile and floral perfume. The school's HBIC, Heather Tate, has finally graced me with her presence, only took 4 years for her to see me as more than a source of amusement.

"Your Jayvien, right? In the spirit of being deeply apologetic, I would like to just bare my soul and say I'm sorry. I hope you can see me more than the middle school meany." I barely keep the humorless smirk off my face as I tilt my head and stare at her. She fumbles over whatever she is going to say next and glances quickly at the smaller brunette behind her.

"This one's name is Sabrina, not sure if you remember her but we just wanted to say hi. So there is a party, my party, next Saturday. The whole school is going to be there and since you got a personal invite, you and your friend don't have to put in for anything. It's at 10 so see you there?"