NORM

chapter one

Red hair covered my eyes as I tried my best to hide my saddened facial expression. The events of the morning started to flood in finally. Jasmine Kelly had stolen Tamara Thomson creative writing idea for the Essay competition. Tamara had worked intensely hard on fitting the words of a sappy love story in prefect sequence to form the greatest love story ever. It gave me goosebumps listening to it. She would read it aloud every lunch time in the gym. And since I hid beneath the staircase I would hear every single passionate word spoken. It was breath taken. It was a full-on masterpiece.

That morning Jasmine told her that she would tell the entire school an awful secret of hers if she didn't pass up her essay. If I was in Tamara's place I would allow Jasmine to run her non talented mouth. I would never pass up the opportunity to have my name half way across the country. That's immense publicity.

I felt sorry for her. Tamara that is. My doctor told me that negative feelings are never too good for persons in my condition. But I'm human. And it hurts to see others joy reaped away from them.

If hypocrisy was a virus I would have caught it along time ago. Because apparently it's going around. With fever and coughs. I stared around the room after removing my hair in front of my face.

Trying my utmost best not to lay my eyes on the group of students that had engulf Jasmine's seat. But it failed hopelessly.
To be honest as much as I disliked her actions and motives. Jealously simmered within me. It was clear she was one, out of the many, my tiny heart envied.

Yuck!!! The thingy was disgusting. My father always taught me to be the best and not compare yourself to others. Especially when they are cheaters, liars and thieves. Well that's kind of hard for a sixteen year old.

With hand beneath my chin I closely observed the commotion. Jasmine had friends that actually wanted to be around her not because they had too. Because they wanted and didn't feel pity for a charity case. I sat down more and more hoping the chair would melt me in its plastic. Finally letting go of the depression that clouded my heart.

You see my name is Azel Knight and I have schizophrenia and this is most definitely not and AAA meeting or therapy class.

I dragged my feet willingly out of the room. Trying my best to ignore I pushed my ear phones in. Paying no attention to the lyrics neither beats I examined students in the corridors. They laughed and some even hugged. Seeing that this was the last day of school before summer break many was saying their goodbyes. Finally four months of hard core bed rest and couch potatoes moments. I can't wait to take my position as the world greatest human Slough.

Slowly I exist my thoughts as the sun disappeared as I entered the tunnel. This was my favourite part of town and the only time where I actually want to slow down life. Raising my head I saw Birdwell and Birdee. It's sad that I look forward seeing two blue jays. They always gave me a cheerful greeting. In return I would offer them bread crumbs. I wonder what would they say if they actually spoke English to me.

"Azel, Azel, thank you so much. You're our hero."

Sighing I continued walking. Half way through I stopped and looked on the other side to Rue.

Rue was the only human friend I had, if he ever consider me to be. Well I don't how he feels. First time I met him he asked me for a dollar. He appeared out of no where at least a year ago. He was dressed in his usual. Rags. From head to toe. I guess to keep him from the cold. Maybe that's why he didn't smell. Sometimes when the wind would blow I would smell roses. Well I don't know his secret but it's pretty darn good.

Crossing to the other side Rue immediately stretch out his had to me. I pulled out a five and placed in his hand.

"For the long vacation buddy. And don't eat too much cheese burgers. I see the pounds coming on." I said as I walked away.

Within fifteen minutes I was home. I dropped myself onto the fresh green grass. Breeze blew my hair back and forth covering my face. It was refreshing. As much as I was queer I knew what made me happy and I aimed for it.

"Azel l!!!" mother yelled out of the kitchen window. " Get up its almost dinner time. Go wash up."

Mother had long gorgeous brown hair with bright blue eyes. It was easy to see why dad couldn't take his eye off of her. And even more she praised that fact that both of her children took his fiery red hair. She was a florist and worked from her small workshop at home. Father would say each flower she grew was filled with love including her children.

"Ok!" I was relentless to move but I did. Quickly I dashed upstairs and followed my mother's orders. Took a quick bath then flew on my bed. I curled beneath my covers. A short nap never hurt anyone.
"Azel" dad whispered rubbing my back. The doctor ordered that I shouldn't be awaken from my sleep with out a sudden scare. That wasn't a healthy neither wise thing to do. "Get up my tiny petal."

" No just five minutes again daddy. It never hurt anyone" I replied. Before I knew I felt myself being lifted up high and thrown over dad's shoulders. Slightly I opened my eyes. He had me going down the stairs. Over his shoulder. Seriously. I can't believe he did that again. And why don't I ever learn my lesson.

He sat me down. "She's awake." he said before running off to mother's side.

"You guys are cute" Azazel said.

Azazel use to be the head line of his class, best soccer player in his year and now coaches the neighbours children. While managing his own computer business. His girlfriend is drop dead gorgeous. His red hair is better looking than mine. And let's not forget he's the normal one.

He add an apartment to the house so he would be closer to home to help with my situation.

Sometimes I feel like a burden to my family then I reminded over again that I'm not. Dinner flew by quickly. I was happy that it did. I didn't want to seat through thirty minutes of Azazel glory. As much as I love him. It's ok. I'll see him all summer while I be lazy on the couch.

The morning the came quickly also. I had a dream less night. Well I couldn't remember any of it. I decided for the first day of summer I'll get some sun. Mother already warned me about my non activities and asked if I could go to the foster home to donate clothes. So I grabbed the two bags and did just that. Heading beneath the bridge I saw Rue up on his feet. It seemed really nice to see him up for a change. He was scratching the wall with his palms. At the same instance a black tinted car approached from the other end.