Scattered Leaves

Chapter 9: School

Autumn walked into her school terrified. She kept her head down and her sleeves pulled down to her hands. She could hear the snickers and gossip from her peers. Everyone was making fun of her and she knew it. It's all they ever did. She looked up once to see one of her former friends staring at her. Her jaw dropped and she looked like she was about to reach for Autumn, but didn't. Her name was Penelope. She had bleach blonde hair and intense brown eyes.

Penelope used to help Autumn with everything. Then one day she just told Autumn that she didn't want to be friends anymore. It broke Autumn's heart because she was the only person she could confide in. She felt Devon's hand on her arm.

"Are you ok? You and that girl kind of had a staring contest."

"She used to be my best friend."

The bell rang and Autumn started walking to her class. Devon caught up to her and gave her a big hug. "I'll see you at lunch. Don't forget where to meet me."

She smiled up at him. "I won't, see you then."

Devon kissed her hand and walked to his class. Autumn watched him and smiled until his silhouette was out of sight.

She walked into class and everyone's head spun around like an owl's, just to get a good look at Autumn's face. She walked to her seat and the roar of laughter was like an echo in her head, one that never seemed to stop. She heard people yell out things like, "I bet she deserved it." and "I bet it was her godmother coming to kill her." Someone else yelled out "I bet it was her father."

Autumn sat there thinking they had no lives. The only person in class that ever talked to her was there today. He always sat next to Autumn, he was the one person that made her feel like there was still hope for mankind. His name was Josh. He had light brown hair and piercing blue eyes. He was part of the football team and it was surprising that he even bothered with a soul like Autumn. Most guys from the football team were jerks.

"Hey, what's wrong Autumn?" His voice chimmed.

"Just having some family issues. Ready for the test today?"

He chuckled. "I guess so. How about you?"

"Honestly, no." She looked at him for the first time that day and his smile faded.

"Autumn, how did you get those?"

"Ummm..." She tried turning her face away but he touched her arm, making her look at him again.

"You can tell me, I won't judge you."

Before she could even think about what she was going to say, she told Josh everything that happened between her and her uncle.

"Are you going to be ok?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, thanks."

Penelope popped out of nowhere and stared at Autumn with an innocent smile plastered on her face.

"What do you want Penelope?" Autumn asked sounding bored.

"Are you ok? People keep spreading rumors about you and none of them are good. I know you better then they do."

"No offense Penelope but you told me that you didn't want to be friends anymore a year and a half ago. You don't know me that well anymore. Why do you care now? You probably heard tons of rumors about me before today."

Penelope stood there for a moment, her pink lips pursed. "When I saw you this morning, I felt bad for you. I felt my old self again. I want to try and help you, like you always helped me w-"

*Good morning, would you please stand for the national anthem.*

All of the snickers and talking stopped and everyone stood up. Autumn could still feel eyes on her. Just like the other day her cuts started burning and stinging. Tears threatened to fall down her face but she refused to let them. She wasn't going to give her classmates that satisfaction. They didn't need it.