Looking Back

Chapter 4: Thursday

The next day was the worst. Terrors of my past life was coming back to haunt me. The unwanted stares, the whispering,  and the teasing... I could hear it all in their thoughts and read it on their faces.

"What happened to her," asked one of the many countless students in the hall.

"I heard that her father used to abuse her," someone else whispered.

All I wanted to do was run and never look back, but I knew if I tried running, there was no where to go.

Even though I didn't hear their exact thoughts, I knew that that was what they were thinking. I told myself to get to class and not worry about it, but when lunch time came, I couldn't help but think of fighting someone.

There was this girl (people called her Bic Mac) giving me dirty looks from across the cafeteria. I didn't know much about the girl, or why she was staring at me in such a malicious way. All I knew was that she needed to stop before I did something I  would regret, but then with my mind fighting against my soul I thought, I haven't been in a fight in a long time. Vivid memories of the blind rage that would consume me when I was extremely angry came rushing back. The adrenaline in my veins rising up to its full potential was something I would never forget. Thinking about fighting made me jumpy and my nerves go crazy. I lost my apitite. I threw my food away and went outside. But noticing it was cold, I decided to go inside.

In the hall were the pictures of the class graduates of years before I was even born. Looking at the hairstyles had me preoccupied for a while until someone rudely bumped in to me. "Watch it, bitch," I said angrily. I had my hands clenched tightly.

"Hold up," said the girl that was giving me dirty looks. "I know you're not talking to me."

"Does it look like I'm talking to anyone else?"

"Ohh," said the guys starting to form a circle around us.

"So it's true? You want to fight me?"

I laughed relaxing. "I don't want to fight you, but I will if you want me to."

"All right then. Lets go."

I swung letting out all of my anger. My fist connected with her jaw. People were stupid these days. When you ask someone to fight you, be ready for that person to fight you.

After about three guys pulled me off of her and the blind rage subsided, I looked at the mess I made; a bloody nose, busted lip, and her hair looked like it hasn't been combed in days. "Let go of me," I said angrily wrenching myself away from their grasp. "I'm cool." I looked at the girl wiping her bloody nose. "Maybe that'll teach you to stop bullying people and talking your shit."

She didn't say anything, nor look at me.

"Hey, that's enough," said a teacher sternly breaking up the fight.

I let the teacher lead me to the office. I had the choice to either get expelled or take three swats. I chose to be expelled. If the principle touched me, I knew I was lose it and go off on him which would not have been a pretty sight. Making wise choices and avoiding more trouble, I went to my locker to grab my stuff and be gone.

When I arrived at my locker, I wasn't alone. Tanner was also at his locker getting something. I ignored him and looked for what I needed. "Hey." Tanner's voice was right behind me.

I jumped slightly.

He laughed. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

I faced him and took in what he was wearing. Comfortable jeans and nice Areopostal shirt that, hung loosely around his taunt body. It also reminded me that he was rich and was in a total different social class than I was. I took a step back away from him. "What?" I asked rudely.