Leave Mary Jane Alone

Chapter One.

                I stepped off of the small rickety steps and onto the sidewalk a couple seconds too late and missed the bus again. I knew I was going to be late today and I also knew that I'd be in trouble for it. I sighed inaudibly and began my walk with my bright pink hair tucked neatly under my old worn beanie. I don't actually know why I have pink hair, and when I asked my mother she used to say,

                  "Genetics, baby. You'd look beautiful with no hair cause you're amazin'."

               But she doesn't say it anymore. And I don't ask anymore either. I took small steps to the school due to being kind of short, but only a little bit. By the time I arrived the halls were empty and the bell had rung. I stepped into Mr. Danville's classroom with my head down and scurried into my seat.

                  "Why were you late Miss Abel?" He knew I wouldn't talk so I don't know why he even tried. I shrugged and looked at him. The old man sighed and accepted my silence, but not before adding, "Detention." I nodded my head. I paid attention as he went on and on and on about the difference between you're and your. We were Juniors in Advanced Placement English, but we didn't know the difference between your and you're? I could have scoffed.

           "Brent please come up here and use your and you're in two sentences please." Brent stiffened before brushing it off and walking towards the board.

           "Alrighty teach." His two sentences were wrong. He'd scribbled messily onto the board: 'Your a good teacher. You're house is on fire.' I saw the teacher's face and I saw the disappointment. My big blue eyes rolled at the simple and completely wrong sentences. Damn that empty headed brute. Mr. Danville smiled in sudden delight as his eyes traveled over to me. Don't you do it Mr. Danville. He did it anyway.

           "Miss Abel, would you like to come forth and construct your sentences?"

          This wasn't actually a question so don't be confused; I didn't have a choice. I nodded and shuffled to the board when I saw a foot peeking from under the desk. I stepped over it in a very dignified manner before continuing from the very back of the class. Are they taking bullying tips from cliché movies or what? I wrote one sentence very neatly in a blue expo marker: 'I've been fighting your demons for you, but you're not watching because your heart is breaking.' Before spinning around and speeding to my seat without interruption. Whew those damn eyes were putting me on fire. Did they all have to stare?

          "Miss Abel," He was being the condescending type. "This is only one sentence. I asked for two." Is he really my English teacher? I went up to the board again and the other students were so tickled by the fact that little Mary Jane Abel had to write another sentence. 'A comma separates two complete sentences by using for, and, nor, but,or,yet, and so.' Then I drew an arrow to my comma and the word behind it. Mr. Danville's face wasn't too happy. Some of the student actually snickered. This only upset Mr. Danville so much more and he glowered at me! His student and the only one who paid attention! My blue eyes opened widely and I stared incredulously. The nerve of that old man really got to me sometimes and I had the urge to give him a mean finger.

           The bell rang and my ears perked slightly twinged with annoyance. I escaped Mr. Danville's room and went to my next class ignoring everyone around me. They were animals and witches that wouldn't leave me alone. Damn them. I hurriedly flew into the lunch room and as usual the big arena quieted down. I looked behind me just in case there was a big bad monster or something, but there wasn't so why were these people always looking at me. Of course I didn't make eye contact and I didn't want to. As I grabbed my lunch and politely thanked the lunch lady I noticed Mercedes A. Balme heading in my direction.