The Aster Effect

Chapter 2: A new comer

*Song #2: Livin' On The Edge By Aerosmith*

School, the bain of my existence. Since Friday, the rumour mill exploded with conspiracy theories surrounding my little art class mishap, people thought I was pregnant, which wasn't even close to being true, cause no guy at my school would ever go after a geeky, outcast like me. Anyways, the rumour was shot down right as O'Canada blasted throughout the class room. The girls that sat in the front just to get a good view of the twenty seven year old English teacher, stared at me, with a scowl on their faces, as they scanned my outfit up and down, all in unison might I add. That was more than usual, my goodness, now they've upgraded my status to school slut. Well...I guess their scowl will go down after they announce that they need them to pray for me. Yes, you wouldn't believe it, but they actually do that in my school, they think that god will guide you through everything, they believe that he's holding your fate, even though nobody knows that I held my own fate at the hospital.

I placed my backpack on the wooden desk, and paused my music, pulling my headphones off my ears. People mumbled and whispered, taking slight glances at me, as I stared off into space, completely ignoring them. The principal came on after O'Canada ended, telling us to sit down, as she does her daily reflection. "Today we ask god to provide strength to a student that has been diagnosed with a grade three brain tumour, and I would like the school community to provide their support to this wonderful girl, and artist. We are with you, and praying for you Aster Feral." I could see everyone stiffen as my name slipped through the speaker, the look on their faces changed quickly, and once again people glanced back at me, this time they didn't have a scowl, they had apologetic looks, which I wasn't used to at all. "Now onto our daily announcements, please take a seat." I pulled out my chair, and pulled my headphones on again before placing myself onto the plastic seat.

Mr. Crayne walked in with a travel mug in hand, and a rucksack slung on his shoulder. I could see the girls, specifically Bethany Williams, she twirled her blonde locks around her fingers, and pushed into the desk to show even more of her cleavage. You might be saying "Aster how do you know that? She might be looking for her pencil!" I know because she's done this many times before to the poor teacher, and to many football players, and to the innocent nerds, and...You get the point. She's also been doing this since freshmen year. I don't know what would make her stop, but my god I really don't want to know what she would do if the world was going to end. I noticed the other girls that she was with mimed her, some even going as far as pulling their shirts down just a little more, before pushing themselves into the desks just like Bethany. The teacher was in for a very big surprise when he was done writing the schedule on the board. He wasn't really special, and personally if I was Bethany I would go after someone else. Mr. Crayne was a fit man, with olive coloured skin, he was tall, with broad shoulders, that were usually covered by plaid button ups. He had dark brown stubble on his upper lip and on his chin, and hid behind large thick framed glasses. He was a stereotypical hipster, and hipsters were definitely not Bethany's cup of tea...Or at least I thought they weren't, guess I was wrong.

I then noticed that I was listening to nothing this whole time, and right before I could continue to blast my Monday playlist, the teacher turned around. Once again I pulled my headphones down and let them become a necklace around my neck, as Mr.Crayne made eye contact with me, I could hear him clear his throat, which made the class die down slightly. His voice was laced with sadness, while he spoke "I'm very sorry about that terrible prognosis Aster. I just want you to know that we are all here for support and there are many teachers and guidance counsellors that you can talk to...Including me." He placed his hand on his chest and giggled a little, trying to make a tiny joke that didn't really work. I gave him a small smile "Thank you..." I spoke softly, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear. That's when a wave of silence washed over everyone, and 30 pairs of eyes looked over at me, including the teachers, and went wide with shock. You see I never spoke in any of my classes, except art, that was my only exception because it was the only place I actually felt relatively comfortable in. Another question that you must be dying to ask is "What if someone spoke to you?" Well if someone would speak to me...Which is a very very rare thing by the way. I would basically just reply with head shakes, nods, and shrugs, and even the teachers knew not to call me out, or make me answer questions because they know that I won't reply. I scanned everyone around me, as Bethany broke the silence "So the dying girl speaks...But isn't it a little bit late to start becoming social Aster? How many months do you have left? Two? Three? Maybe even four?" She commented, with her honeyed voice ringing throughout my ears.