Cliché || C.H

Chapter 2

Giselle's POV

I groaned as I saw the large sign indicating Meriam High School was around the next block. I used to love school. The idea of being on top of everyone appealed to me while it was always a waste of time for everyone else. I loved routine and absolutely loathed change. After my dad died, however, I lost the desire to try hard in school, eat, sleep, and pretty much function at all. It got to a point where my depression became so bad that I had to have therapy. Therapy may have helped others but it sure didn't help me. I overheard the psychiatrist I had at the time say I was a lost cause. It's true. People constantly give up on me and it was no surprise when the person meant to "fix me" gave up too. They told me I was getting better, that they were going to let me go, but I knew it was just a lie like everything else.

I turned the corner and lo and behold, there stood the place I spend seven hours almost everyday for five days a week at. Meriam High isn't the stereotypical high school that has a strict social ladder but it still had people placing themselves in groups with other people who they have some sort of connection with. I, seemingly unlike everyone else, don't really know where I stand as an individual. I don't have a solid personality that makes me who I am. Although the show I put on for the world may convince them I know where I am headed in life, I am lost and unfortunately for me, nowhere to be found.

I was just about to enter the building when someone pulled my beanie off. I swear these people sit in their rooms and plan ways to annoy the crap out of me as a leisurely activity. I'm not a victim of bullying nor a social casualty but people don't generally care for me so I guess they find me to be an amusing target. However, when it comes to schoolwork, oh, goodness me! These pathetic douches come crawling to me for help!

I turned around to see one of the seniors, Ashton Irwin, snickering at his ever so humorous prank. As I was just about to snatch it from his hand, he put his hand up, indirectly mocking my unfortunate height. I looked like an idiot, jumping like a cat trying to get a ball of yarn.

"Ashton, what the fuck! Find something better to do you little piece of shit!" I scream while still trying to reach my beanie.

Ashton just laughed and retorted, "Aye watch your language, little one." Putting emphasis on "little one" to turn the tables on me, we received a few immature "Oohhh"'s from the people who have come to watch us. I rolled my eyes in annoyance and decided I've had enough of Ashton's crap. I kicked him in the shin, causing him to stop laughing, curse under his breath, and bring down his arm to rub his leg. I took this opportunity to grab my beanie and go inside. What happened after I left, I do not know or care to know.

As I walked to my locker, I put my beanie back on, taking a mental note to duck tape it the next time I decide to wear it to school. I quickly grabbed the things I need for my first period in math from my locker and as if on cue, the bell rang. I weaved my way through the overly hormonal teenagers of Meriam High and walked through the door labeled "Room 17: Mrs. Hemmings". Mrs. Hemmings greeted me good morning as I walked in and I pulled a small smile in return. I took my seat in the back of the classroom, not for rebellious reasons that most students who sit in the back have, but to avoid the intimidating attention those who sit upfront get.

Just as Mrs. Hemmings began her lesson, someone to my left poked me. I scoffed lightly in annoyance before turning around to see that Mrs. Hemmings's son, Luke Hemmings, otherwise known as the school's "Human Giraffe", was pestering me only because he needed a pencil. You would think at least in his own mom's class he would be prepared, but nope. He's one of the trouble makers and sitting in the back means tolerating them. It's better than upfront attention, I guess. I grabbed one of the ugly extra pencils I had in my bag and handed it to him. I'm not getting it back so why give him a nice pencil? "Just act like you don't care and you'll be left in peace" I thought to myself. They don't know what I go through and they don't need to. They don't care and even if someone did, I wouldn't burden them with my story.

I focused on the lesson Mrs. Hemmings was teaching us and took diligent notes to avoid checking the clock every two seconds. I enjoy these things, not for the reason I used to, but because it works as a distraction from the depressing thoughts I get when I'm not doing anything for too long.

.

.

.

Maybe it's just me but today seems to be going by quickly. It's the same 24 hour day for everyone, but whether it's good, bad, fast, slow, all depends on the person. It's my second to last period for the day and the English teacher, Mr. Kahler, gave us free time since the class surprisingly allowed him to get through his lesson. Call me weird, but I took this time to get my homework for the day done. I haven't got anything better to do here so might as well.

Ashton and one of his friends, Michael Clifford, were in the row in front of me and I couldn't help but overhear them talking about me. Normally, I wouldn't give two shits about them and their gossip but something about this one kept me listening. What it was, I don't know.

"She kicked your shin?" Michael asked Ashton while laughing at his expense.

"It isn't funny!" Ashton snapped back.

"Okay! Okay! You started it, though." Michael said quietly, probably only so Ashton could hear. Some people just don't know how to whisper.

"Whatever. That bitch is a psychopath." Ashton said as if I wasn't behind him.

Michael shook his head and changed the subject. I didn't pay attention to what it was. I get called foul names a lot and I've grown to not care anymore but this one was new.

"Psychopath"

Something in me snapped. I abruptly got up from my seat, took my things, and walked to Mr. Kahler's desk. The class went quiet, murmuring as they stared at me.

"May I go to the bathroom?" I politely asked.

"Yeah, just take the hall pass." Mr. Kahler replied.

I took the hall pass from the wall beside the door and walked out. A wave of nostalgia rushed through me and the depressing thoughts came one after another. I never know how to deal with it. I'm just left in a confused and depressed state. I couldn't be seen in such a vulnerable state and I needed fresh air. I walked out of the building and sat on the steps, my head in my hands.

I stayed like this for a while, trying to calm down and regain composure. I convinced myself that I was mentally stable enough to return, when in reality, I wasn't. I just needed to get back to class and get the rest of the day over with so that I could be left to cope with my thoughts alone. I stood up and just as I was about to turn around, the door opened and hit my head. I winced at the excruciating pain that added to my stress as I rubbed my head, still not turning around to see who it was.

"Ah, fuck! Are you okay?"

(Pretty lengthy update!! To be honest, I wasn't going to update this week like I had promised. I've had a lot of school related stress affecting me lately, but here it is! Aside from my guilty habit of procrastinating, I had a bunch of ideas for this chapter so I gave it a go. I hope you guys like it because even I don't know when the next time I'll update will be. *Sigh* The struggle is real. Well, anyhow, if anything confused you, just comment and I'll try to clarify whatever it is. Thank you again for reading Cliché!)

~ Lauren