Virals Pack: Reborn

Chapter 11: New World

I pause at the gates of the school for a second, then continue on through them. I nervously smooth the skirt on my new uniform and self-consciously tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. 

I've never even seen a private academy much less been to one, it was like a whole new world. The uniforms were a certainly new experience as well. They laughed at me before when I asked for a boys outfit, mainly because I hate skirts, and handed me the girls uniform. Button down white shirt, navy blazer, plaid tie, matching skirt (ugh), and knee-high black socks.

It's been a little less than a week since I came here to greet the headmaster and set up classes, but not much happened since then, until today at least. I mostly stayed up in my attic space reading, writing, or just sitting on the balcony watching the ocean. But exam week is over, and the new semester has started, which means it's time for me to get integrated in with the rest of the students. 

From the moment I walk in, I can tell today's going to go either really well, or really bad. Probably the latter, to be real. Even though we are all wearing essentially the same uniform, I can tell right away that these kids are all a class above me. And not grade class, social class. Lets just say that if a magpie ever got into a girls locker room, it would die from sheer overload of shiny, expensive jewelry. 

"D*mn rich kids" I muttered to myself, referencing one of my favorite anime, Ouran High School Host Club. Though unlike OHSHC, I am not allowed to wear a boys' uniform. Grrr. 

The bell rings before I can stew on the matter, and before I know it, my day has begun. 

*time jump*

Well this morning has been fantastic (note the extreme sarcasm). All of my classes included to some extent an awkward introduction where everyone stared at me either like a zoo attraction or bait. The hallways became a war-zone when insults such as "island refugee" "boat kid"  and my personal favorite, "peasant"  were tossed at me relentlessly throughout the morning. 

As if my anxiety wasn't bad enough, all the teachers were absolutely of no help. They either prolonged my torture by making me stand up and introduce myself to the class, or they went through hoops to include me when I'd have much rather disappeared. 

Now it was lunch time and I had no intention of going to the lunchroom. So, grabbing my paper-sack lunch I hastily made last night, I went in search of the library. Unfortunately, before I got there, I was intercepted by two girls that I immediately dubbed the "deadly duo". I got a plethora of bad vibes from them, but I was powerless to escape. And they knew it, too, you could see the triumph gleaming in their eyes as they trapped  me in a corner. 

"Well if it isn't the little peasant girl" The lead girl sniped. She had silky black hair and reminded me of a feral fox with her sly aura. The blonde next to her quipped "Yeah, it's the pathetic island refugee".

I sighed, knowing already this was to be the first of many times I would be picked on. 

Noticing my sigh, fox girl snarled "Oh I'm sorry, are we boring you? Maybe we should spice things up a little. Why don't we start with why you are even here...hmm? It's an odd time for a new student to get added, so why are you suddenly here, from that disgusting island of all places?"

"That's none of your business" I growled through my teeth.

"Oh how sweet, you think you can keep your secrets from me." She smirked "Well don't you worry, I'm sure we will get our answers one way or another, right Courtney?" 

The blonde nodded eagerly "Oh yes, Ashley, we certainly will. And if there's anything you're hiding, boat girl, we will find it." 

"Great, thanks for the info" I needed to get out, now, before I had a panic attack. Already I could feel my hands trembling and becoming sweaty, and I didn't need to give the deadly duo any more ammo than they already may have.  

I tried to push past them, but Ashley suddenly rushed me, smacking my lunch bag out of my hand and pinning me against the wall. 

"Where do you think you're going, loser? I'm not done with you yet" Ashley's eyes bored into mine, trapping me with their dominance. "If you think you can just slink in here through the island agreement, then you're wrong. Trash like you should be kicked out where you belong, with the other losers in public school."

I stood statue-still, frozen in place, and a breath away from breaking apart in front of them. Grinning in triumph, Ashley stepped back and raised an eyebrow, signifying that it was my turn to move. I wanted to scream, cry, punch her, and run all at once. Choosing the safest option for now, I ran away to the sound of the deadly duo's malicious laughter. 

Not even knowing where I was going, I sped through the hallways at the fastest walk I could manage. 

Not fast enough, not fast enough. I broke into a run.

By some miracle, I found myself at the doors to the library. On the verge of tears, I quickly but quietly rushed through the doors and darted around in search of the most secluded corner I could find. It was an amazing library to tell the truth, the best I'd ever seen. With a high, arching ceiling and stairs that led to a whole second level of books. But I was not able to appreciate the wonder as I rushed up the stairs and disappeared into the corner farthest from view. 

Finally safe, my crybaby tears burst free and I quickly bit on the back of my hand through the bandages to keep from making a sound as I sobbed. Miraculously, no one had mentioned them yet but that was probably to be short lived, I couldn't hide them under my blazer forever. 

A wave of anxiety finally crashed into me, knocking the breath out of me even more and causing me to gasp for air. It was another stroke of luck though that it didn't hit me earlier in the hallway, or even worse, in front of those girls. 

What a mess I must look like, trying my best to cry silently while gasping for breath and shaking like a leaf. Thank goodness there's no one here...

"Hey...are you okay?" 

Oh no...