Don't Save My Life

Chapter 1

(I know the formatting is insane so please excuse that. Also, this is not proofread so i am aware that there are plenty of mistakes. I'll come back and fix them. )

Willa

Of the victims in the East Mall bombing only two lived to tell the story. One emerged a hero, a pathetic town sob story, but a hero nonetheless. The other might as well not have even survived, she was better off dead. As I walked through the halls of Village High, it was no secret which one I was.

I could feel the whispers hitting the air like an invisible bow against a violin. They were soft and meant for only certain ears but each little word rang into my mind like something that would come from a white noise machine. I suppose I should have been grateful for the distraction though. After all, this was the first time in months I couldn’t hear the screams reverberating in my ear canals. The images however, never left. Even as I examined my shoes to dodge the judging gazes of my schoolmates I could still see the tragedy of that day clear in my mind.

I stopped walking when I found my locker. An ugly plate of refurbished metal crammed between two equally unattractive lockers. In my hands I unclenched a now damp crumpled piece of paper that had my classes and locker number written on it. The numbers were smudged but I made out what looked like a G15. I surveyed the locker to insure that this was the right one. When I was satisfied and positive this was indeed my designated storage unit for the entire year I dropped my bag to the ground and began to unload some of the books I wouldn’t be taking to my first two periods.

I opened the tin door ignoring message written on the inside. I’d seen it all, heard it all, they’d have to do better than vandalizing my locker with magic marker. Just as I thought this, I felt someone tap my shoulder. I slammed the locker shut and spun around quickly.

“Hey sexy lady.” A youthful but husky voice said from behind me.

When I saw who it was, I rolled my eyes and turned back around to finish unpacking my things.

“Hey, Payton. “ I said facing into my locker.

Payton was my best friend since kindergarten. He was probably the only person in town who didn’t hate my guts. And if he did, he hid it flawlessly. We had grown up together so he knew my parents and family well. Although I could never ask him to do such a thing, Payton could vouch for me. Just because my Dad was sick didn’t make me a monster too.

When I’d grabbed what I needed I closed my locker and began to walk to my first class. He fell in step with me, draping a lanky arm over my shoulder. I wished I could tell him to go away from me. That he was ruining his reputation by being around the daughter of a killer, the one person who had no right to make it out of that mess.

I made a point of putting some space between us knowing I couldn’t do this to my best friend. It had taken him all of middle school straight through sophomore year to even be recognized by the student body. Now he was Payton Cross. With his effortless perfect tan, light brown eyes and shoulder length brunette hair, he’d become the most wanted boy in our school. He was even rumored to be the best kisser in three counties. I myself couldn’t verify this; the last time we’d kissed was in second grade on a dare. At the time Payton was the boy who ate worms and I was “that girl with the headgear.” needless to say we agreed never to mention that day again.

He noticed me pulling away and stopped me smack dab in the middle of the hall. He turned me around to face him.

“What’s wrong? We always walk to class together.”

I shifted around uncomfortably. Ever since I was released from intensive care and thrust back into this cruel world of reality, the stares had been relentless. I’d gotten over that part, but now it seemed like everyone, even in the busy halls seconds before the first morning bell rang, were perking there ears up to hear what I had to say. I’d given them everything of me, and took everything they’d dished out. I knew if I spoke they would use anything I said against me so I kept my mouth shut. But now, Payton waited patiently, his caring brown eyes trying to read my expression.

I opened my mouth to speak but no words would articulate. Then suddenly, like clockwork someone called Payton’s name, taking his attention away from me. He turned at the sound of a girly female voice and automatically went into flirt mode.

I took the moment to slip away, deciding to cruise right past my homeroom class. I thought about what he’d said. “What’s wrong? We always walk to class together.” I turned one last time to see him leaning in to whisper something in to the girl’s ear. This was how it had to be, he was a popular now, just as I’d became the most vied human being on the planet.

Everything was different now.