Why Her?

Chapter Four

Chapter 4 - First Day

"Cameron!" dad called from down the stairs. I lifted my pillow over my head and groaned. It was my first day at the local high school, and I did not want to go. Fear of being shunned all over again prevented me from gaining any motivation to move. I wouldn't have been able to handle more harassment from my new classmates.

I only had one day to settle into the new house, and I spent the whole time organizing everything we brought over from the old place, playing my guitar, and reading. With nothing but free time on my hands, I enjoyed reading books for that short amount of escapism. There was nothing better after a long day of harassment than to come home, light a candle, make some decaf coffee, and read a book cover to cover (depending on how long the book was).

Not once did I open my curtains. While I wanted to enjoy the cool breeze, I didn't want to risk seeing Venus. I knew I told her I would talk to her, but I was too nervous to even try. The fear of her deciding that one night was enough of me prevented me from risking a chance to communicate again. At least by not opening the windows, it became my decision instead of hers.

The bedroom door flew open, and I peeked from under my pillow to spot dad standing in the doorway, dressed up for the first day of his new position. "You can't sleep all day, Cameron. You have to go to school eventually."

Can't I be homeschooled instead? I signed as I sat up.

"Honey, you know you have to make friends. It's going to be hard, but it will soon be worth it. I don't like you being lonely," he pouted. "Promise me you will try to make some friends?"

Only for you, I signed, and he smiled.

"That's my girl," he said as he left my bedroom.

I threw the bedsheets off of my body and stumbled out of bed and over to my dresser. It was seven in the morning, and I had to be at school by eight. I opened the closet doors and pulled out a pair of black, ripped jeans, a white Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tank my dad bought when he had to visit Cleveland for work, and my black heeled combat boots. I sat down at my desk, pulled out my mirror, and began to outline my eyes with a light coating of eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara. I combed the tangles out of my dyed red hair, and put on my black beanie.

I had my diamond studs and cross second piercings already in my ears, along with my industrial piercing in my right ear. I flung my backpack over my shoulder and ran down the stairs for breakfast and to pack a lunch.

Dad walked up to me and kissed my forehead before he left the house. I had to choose between walking and taking the bus, but since I only lived a ten-minute walk away from the school, I chose not to sit next to complete strangers where I would have to ask to sit next to them.

I placed my headphones over my ears and stepped out of the front door. I had the path to the school opened on my Google Maps, and the lady interjected my music occasionally as she gave my directions.

The closer I approached the school, the more students appeared on the sidewalks. I felt their judging eyes stab into my back, and the overwhelming emptiness of being alone and friendless resided back into its marked territory in my chest.

Stepping into the school building and walking into the office, I slid my headphones around my neck and trembled as I approached the secretary's desk. She beamed a smile at me, and I tried to replicate hers.

"Hi, hun. How can I help you?" she asked.

Giggling nervously, I lifted my shaking hands and attempted to sign. She continued to smile as she held up a finger to me and dialed a number. I tapped my fingers on the desk as I patiently waited, and not a minute later, a woman exited the back offices and smiled as she approached me.

Hello, I'm Ms. Walsh. How may I help you?

I smiled. My name is Cameron Wilde. I'm new here.

Ms. Walsh told the secretary, and a sheet was printed out for me. I looked down and smiled. While she offered to show me around, I declined. I'd rather look lost like an idiot than have the teacher sign to me in the halls. It was a sure way to guarantee that I would be ridiculed all over again. I preferred to remain in the shadows and blend in with the crowd despite how hard it was based on my clothing style.

I stepped out of the office and walked down the halls, looking at the classroom numbers in hopes of finding my own. As I wandered around the halls, the stares increased and people began to whisper and point at me. Though I was mentally preparing myself to be outcasted, it still stung. I braced for even worse bullying as I felt a hand rest on my shoulder, only to turn around and face Venus.