Protection

Daydreaming

Chapter 1

"Quelles est une chose que vous avez fait ce week-end?"

I am suddenly ripped out of my thoughts as Mrs. Fenish starts speaking to the class. I look at her as I try to comprehend what she is asking. She is now repeating herself. Great. I start to stretch my arms out in front of my as I lay my head on my desk. It's first class on a Monday morning and I can barely pay attention.

I am already starting to drift off again into my thoughts as I hear someone speaking and realize that I will have to speak next. I quickly think of a short sentence that I can mumble out. As Mrs. Fenish stares at me waiting for an answer, I stutter as I try to remember enough of the vocabulary to tell her that I relaxed this weekend. She seems happy enough with my answer as her eyes skip past me and onto Samantha.

I didn't really do that much this weekend. We always get assigned too much homework to actually do anything this weekend. So, besides that I just relaxed.

I start to let myself drift back into my thoughts as I listen to everyone's short summery of their weekend. My mind starts to race as I remember that I have history next. I can't stand history especially now that we are working on a project. The projects in that class are never that much fun and usually suck. Especially when there is a lot of things needed to do and not a lot of time to get it done.

I pull my thoughts away from History and try to think of something else. My mind goes to something that I think about a bit. And with that, I try not to let my thoughts completely take over but alas they do.

I am standing on the concrete bleachers next to the track. I can see the Ariel red of Aroe's hair as I find her walking with her boyfriend Alec. I can see her beaming at him as they keep walking waiting for the bell to ring. I let my eyes gaze over the rest of the track and I see the jet black hair of Blake which stands out against the bright blond hair of Samantha. I can't believe that my two closest friends have boyfriends.

I suddenly start to feel that pit in my stomach as once again I realize that I will be searching for someone to talk to since my two closest friends are busy.

I start to let my eyes take in the rest of what is going on around me. Kids in my grade are scattered around huddled in their groups. I start to walk around trying to look for one of my other friends but as I see them, I see that they are in a deep conversation with their group and decide to stay away.

All of the sudden there is a loud bang as if someone had fired a gun and then many screams. I fall to the ground as I feel my hand clasp over my side. The screaming has stopped now and I realize that everyone is starting to look at me. I close my eyes as I hear the teachers start to bark out orders for my classmates to do. Someone calls out my name but I don't know who.

"Amber"

I snap out of my thoughts as I feel my face go hot and my cheeks turn red. I stare at Mrs Fenish who is clearly disappointed. When she is sure that I am paying attention, she starts speaking again. I look back at smiling Samantha who sits right behind me.

I can not wait until this school day is done. The sooner it goes, the sooner I get to go home.

I start to think about being shot and what people would do. Completely unrealistic obviously but why not. I wonder what Aroe and Samantha would do if it was that situation. It really stinks that both friends are completely head over heals for their boyfriends. I feel like I am convincing myself to be happy for them. I know that I should be happy for them but it seems so hard as I get left in the dust every day.

I try to pull my head away from that topic to focus on something more uplifting. I fail at that idea as I turn my body to find the clock. I have fifteen minutes left.

I start to decide what my after school plans will be. I live close enough to school that I walk to and from school every day. That always helps clear my mind after a long and boring school day. Maybe today I will go for a run today.

Right as that thought pops into my mind, he comes into my mind. I try with all force to push it out of my head. Maybe he won't be there today. I really hope so. I need to do something after school. Sitting at home and doing homework does not make a good afternoon.

I place my face on my hands and slump myself forward against my desk as I loose all interest in keeping myself in a nice position. I should probably pay attention. Maybe there will be some information that I will need to know. Usually Mrs. Fenish just tells us to study even when we have no tests coming up.

I look forward as Becca turns around in her chair to tell me that we have one more minute! I smile back at her and then lean down to grab my books and computer off of the floor.

Everyone starts to stand to leave as Mrs. Fenish starts to talk to a girl in my class about something school related.

"BING"

I walk quickly out of the French room to get to my locker. I can't be late for history again or Mr. Sanson will give me a detention. I quickly exchange my french books and grab the ones for history. As I slam my locker shut, I start to run. History is in the building next to us but its on the fifth floor and I refuse to take the elevator.

I arrive in class just in time as a great thought pops into my head. Only two more classes and then free period. I can't wait until lunch.