It was Thursday. The first day of Leah's sophomore year. Leah's alarm clock screeched her awake. Time to wake up! Oh how Leah hated mornings though, the second she stood out of bed, she'd feel... How would you explain it? Dark? Dreary? Leah felt dreary. She would be half awake, half asleep, and would have very little idea of what she was doing. Leah subconsciously shut her alarm clock off, and then rolled out of bed.
"Good morning, Lee. How'd you sleep?" Leah's mom trudged over to where Leah stood and rubbed her head.
"Meh. So-so.." Murmured Leah.
"Sounds good enough to me! I'm going to go check if Shae's awake! Go take your shower."
"'Kay."
Leah stepped into the shower, her brain felt as foggy as the mirror looked, all covered in steam from the hot shower. The hot water immediately woke her up, and
Leah began to massage shampoo into her hair. "School." She whispered out loud. "Yesterday was the last day of summer, and today marks the first day of yet another dreadful high school year..." Leah's thoughts traveled to the bullies, and the motley of rumors she would be hearing today. Stupid Bryan was just as bad as any popular teenage girl. He had definitely spread some stories around already. Suddenly, a burst of anger and sadness struck Leah, like a pole that had been hit by lightening, and a tingly feeling ran through out her body. Leah needed to vent somehow. Her gaze traveled around the shower, and she noticed a razor in the far left corner. Leah reached for the razor and grasped its handle firmly between her palm. Slice. Slice. Slice. 3 slashes across her upper left thigh. With each slash she deepened the same gash. Blood adhered to the water and traveled down her leg and into the drain.
-----
"Leah!" Squealed Lacey. Leah slowly smiled. "I heard about you and Bryan. We had a talk. He promised he won't go around and bad mouth you. You know something funny, I used to not be able to stand the guy but all of a sudden, it's like, we're friends. But don't worry. I'll never date him! I swear. That'd be so low of me!"
Leah smiled. "Thanks."
"Yeah, no problem. What's your first class, girl?"
"Oh um..." Leah fumbled around, looking for her schedule. "Here it is...My first class is--"
"Woah! Denise looks pretty. Hold that that thought. I need to go talk to my bestest friend in the world! DENIIIISSSSE!!!" Lacey ran off towards Denise, who had just walked through the doors.
"--Band." Said Leah to the breeze that trailed behind Lacey's back.
-----
Two classes and a seminar had traveled by slowly, and now Leah was sitting in her algebra 2 class, waiting for the clock to strike 12:20, so she could head off to lunch.
One minute left...
30 seconds...
15 seconds...
5..4..3..2..1.. RINNNNNG!
Leah looked around for her mini iPad, where she stored all her favorite things, such as music, and books. She clutched the iPad in her hand and trailed off behind all the other students crowding out the door to get to the lunch room. Leah glanced at the small dry erase board that sat to the left of the food. Taco soup, salad bar, and water. Yuck, one of Leah's least favorite lunches. She skipped the lunch line and headed to the table where her friends were already seated. They were, as usual, gossiping. This time it was about another girl and how she was a "whore" for saying she liked two guys at once. Leah decided she didn't want to participate I'm the conversation and pulled put her iPad to read.
"Geez Leah not this again. If you're going to be so fucking anti social then go sit at another table. You're wasting a perfectly good seat!" Snorted Lacey.
The other 6 girls at the table laughed hysterically.
"Yeah! Why even waste this seat if you're not going to talk. I mean, either put down the damn iPad or talk!" Laughed Cara.
"Well actually, we don't want to hear you talk..." Piped up Alyssa.
"Good point, don't talk, Leah. You're annoying. Hmm, I got it! Go sit in a fucking corner. Our table is only for people who want to communicate!" Chimed in Lacey.
Kylie giggled and then added "Ha! Even the corner wouldn't want her to sit with it. Corners communicate better then she does!"
"Yeah but seriously, that's the best place for you as of now so just...either move or.... Well, we can always punch you in the nose..." Lacey dragged.
Leah glanced to her right at Kyla, her best friend for the past school year, for support. Kyla looked away. A tear dripped down Leah's cheek. Not wanting to show weakness, she stood up and moved to a table by herself, where she could read in peace.
The rest of the day dragged on slowly. Whenever Leah would see one of those girls, who had sat at the table with her, she would look away, and they'd laugh.
