A Place Called Winter.

04

I sat in the back, my hood over my head, casting a shadow over my face, chipping at my black nail polish which began falling in small scraps from my nails and onto my English books. Students began filing into the room, a usual routine for them, talking to their friends as they walked, some laughing at a joke their friend made, others complaining about an exam they had just had. The classroom was filled with colour and noise, all besides the dark corner which I sat in, my very own private night.

But that was the way I liked it.

"Watch it, four eyes." A boy in a letterman jacket shoved another boy wearing glasses onto the floor, his books scattering across the ground.

"F-four eyes? Really Kyle? Creative." The boy muttered, kneeling on the ground and gathering his books.

"What was that, Simmons?" Kyle said, stepping closer to where the boy knelt.

"Nothing, I was just appreciating your fine display of imagination in your truly original insults."

"Excuse me!" Kyle yelled, grabbing the boy by the collar and pushing him back against a desk, his strong build easily overpowering the boy's power. "How about I show you a real insult. With my fucking fist." Kyle's face was inches from the boy's, his knuckles whitening where he had the fabric of his T-shirt material gripped.

"Hey!" I was on my feet, my chair fallen behind me and my hoodie slipped off before my brain had time to register what was happening. "Leave him alone."

"Who the fuck are you?" Kyle turned his attention to me, his eyes skimming my face in confusion. "Never mind. I don't give a shit."

"And I don't give a shit that you're some big headed ego jock who makes people like you by throwing a ball around a field. Let. Him. Go," I demanded slowly, enough for the words to seep in to his thick skull.

"You can't talk to me like that!"

"I just did."

Kyle opened his mouth to reply but closed it again, sending a sour look my way. "You know what?" Kyle shoved the boy onto me harshly, his body knocking me back a few steps as he fell to the ground once again. "Keep him. I'd hate to disrupt the two losers' budding romance."

"If only mother nature hadn't interrupted your budding brain, we wouldn't be having this conversation." I rolled my eyes, not being able to control my own words.

"Bitch." Kyle moved to take a step toward me when the classroom door slammed shut.

"Everyone. Take your seats. That includes you, Kyle." The man dropped his briefcase on the table, placing his hands on his hips as he directed a suspicious look at us. "And get off the ground, Isaac."

The man who I was surprised to find was a teacher, began pulling books out of his briefcase. He didn't look like any other teacher I had ever encountered. He was young, early twenties perhaps, his face young looking, holding a young playful innocence that a person who had experienced life would not possess.

"This isn't over." Kyle narrowed a dark look in my direction before taking his seat a few seats in front.

Beside me, Isaac scrambled to his feet, fixing his glasses which were lying sideways on the bridge of his nose. I sat back down again, letting my hair fall back into my face, my leg bouncing, my converse pounding off the floor. Isaac took the seat beside me, opening a sketch book as he began sketching on the paper.

"Now, I hear we have a new student." The teacher clapped his hands together, green eyes zeroing in on me. "Welcome to Winters Grove High."

Everyone turned in their seats to face me, different expressions on their faces. I gave a slight wave, not enjoying being the public entertainment.