Another Reason [Daniel Skye]

14.

I wake up to my mom and dad yelling in the kitchen. I slowly get up still feeling pain from when dad kicked me last night. I walk to my bathroom and look in the mirror. Great. Another bruise on my cheek. Thanks Mom. I put on some makeup to cover it and I brush my hair. I then go into my closet and look for clothes. I decide on some black pants and a grey knitted jumper with my white beanie.

I look at my self in the mirror again. I look crap like always but let's go. I grab my batman school bag and make sure all my books and homework is in there before I leave my room and shut my door.

I walk downstairs and past the kitchen where the rest of my family are. When Mom and Dad see me, Mom scoffs then walks off. Dad follows her. Then I feel someone tug on my bag. I turn my head to see Johnny opening it.
"You alright there?" I ask.
"I made you lunch" he says and puts it in my bag.
"Thanks Johnny" I smile and walk out. He grabs his bag and runs after me. Then I hear our names being called.

Johnny turns around to see whoever called us then Daniel, Shawn, Jacob S and Cameron run up to us. Daniel puts his arms around my shoulder in a friendly way. He doesn't seem to realise it makes me feel uncomfortable. He's just being friendly. I think. We all continue walking and the guys tell some jokes and funny stories. I don't laugh though.

I'm not one to laugh. Much. I slowly push Daniel's arm off me but he doesn't say anything. He just runs his hand through his hair and continues talking. We eventually get to the school grounds and I go straight to my locker.

****************

The lunch bell rings and we all flood the locker rooms. I get to my locker and open it up. We just had music class. It was terrible.

*Flashback*

"So you know we've been working on vocal chords lately?" The teacher asks. We all nod.
"I wanted to get a few people to sing for us" he smiles. Oh no. No no no no no.
"So I've got a hat with all your names in and I'm going to pull some out then you have to sing. Ok?" He asks. He grabs a hat and pulls out a name.

"Shawn" he smiles. Yes! I love Shawn's singing. He's so good but I'll probably never admit it out loud. Shawn grunts and then stands up.
"Do I sing like one line or a whole song?" He asks.
"A whole song would be good" our teacher smirks knowing this is embarrassing. Shawn sighs.

"This is an original song that I wrote a little while ago" he says.
"Say it's not supposed to be.
Tell me not to waste my time
This was never up to me
But if it was I wouldn't mind

And I'm trying to ignore you
I try to go on with my day yeah
But I still pick up the phone yeah
And get lost in what you say

I can try to stop it
All I like
Hands down I've lost this fight
Thought I was strong
Enough for you
But I can't just hide the truth
So I guess I'm going down
I guess I'm going down
Like this

And I love it how she's honest
You don't find that nowadays
She's not even drop dead gorgeous
But she kills me anyway

I can try to stop it
All I like
Hands down I've lost this fight
Thought I was strong
Enough for you
But I can't just hide the truth
I guess I'm going down
I guess I'm going down
I guess I'm going down like this

I can try to stop it
All I like
Hands down I've lost this fight
Thought I was strong
Enough for you
But I just can't hide the truth
(2x)

So I guess I'm going down
Like this"

We all clap. He sits down and he gets a few pats on the back.
"Um... Gale?" The teacher asks. Oh no. Gale is the worlds worst singer. She sound like she's swallowed an elephant. No offence to her. She stands up and sings HollaBack Girl for fun. Everyone burst into laughter when she finishes and she laughs with them. I chuckle a little. I haven't laughed in like a few years or something.

"Daniel?" The teacher asks. Daniel chuckles and Shawn and Cameron tease him. I chuckle a little too. I have to admit, I admire Daniels singing as well. He stands up.
"I think I've had enough, I might get a little drunk
I say what's on my mind, I might do a little time
Cause all of my kindness, is taken for weakness

Now I'm Four Five Seconds from wildin'
And we got three more days 'til Friday
I'm just tryna make it back home by Monday, mornin'
I swear I wish somebody would tell me
Ooh thats all I want

Woke up an optimist, sun was shining I'm positive
Then I heard you was talkin' trash
Hold me back I'm bout' to spaz

Now I'm Four Five Seconds from wildin'
And we got three more days 'til Friday
I'm just tryna make it back home by Monday, mornin'
I swear I wish somebody would tell me
Ooh thats all I want

And I know that you're up tonight
Thinkin' how could I be so selfish
But you called bout a thousand times wondering where I been
Now I know that your up tonight
Thinkin' how could I be so reckless
But I just can't apologize, I hope you can understand

If I go to jail tonight, promise you'll pay my bail
See they want to buy my pride, but that just ain't up for sale
See all of my kindness, is taken for weakness

Now I'm Four Five Seconds from wildin'
And we got three more days 'til Friday
I'm just tryna make it back home by Monday, mornin'
I swear I wish somebody would tell me
Ooh thats all I want

Now I'm Four Five Seconds from wildin'
And we got three more days 'til Friday
I'm just tryna make it back home by Monday, mornin'
I swear I wish somebody would tell me
Ooh thats all I want"

Everyone claps again and he sits down. He looks embarrassed.
"Katie?" The teacher says. ... No. no. No. no. No. everyone looks at me. Especially Daniel.
"No" I shake my head stern.
"Katie, everybody else has" the teacher gestures to the people who have sung. I shake my head.
"Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie." Daniel starts cheering. Everybody joins in.

"Fine" I smile. Daniel, Shawn and Cameron cheer. I stand up.