Alaya

Chapter 2

    I woke up. I was in my bed and Alaya was on my floor, asleep. She seemed peaceful as she slept. It was as if nothing was wrong in her life. I went towards her and shook her to wake her up. After that didn’t work, I said her name about five times and said it louder every time I said it. She finally woke up. When she sat up, she rubbed her tired brown eyes and then looked at me. Her long brown wavy hair was a mess. Her freckles popped out on her red cheeks since she rubbed her face in her sleep.

“Good morning, Sleepy.” I said.

“Hi.” she faintly smiled back.

“Let’s go eat.”

We got up and walked downstairs to the kitchen. Alaya grabbed a bowl to make herself some cereal and grabbed an apple. I made her some orange juice; she never had it before. I made myself the same thing, but instead of an apple, I got an orange. I also made myself some orange juice.

“Here. Have some.” I handed her the small glass of orange juice.

“Oh, no thanks.” she replied.

“Come on. It taste just like oranges. You had those before and you liked those. Try it.”

“Okay.” she took a sip. She nodded her head and smiled. “I like it.” I gave her a thumbs up in agreement as I started to drink mine.

“Girls. Time for school.” my mom announced.

“School? When did I get in?” Alaya asked.

“Yesterday. Your book bag is over there. It has everything you need. Your teachers will give you the rest.” my mom pointed over by the door, where my things also were.

“Come on! We need to go!” I grabbed Alaya’s hand and pulled her with me to the door to go outside to the bus.                                                                                                        

    The bus was loud, as usual. This was mostly because of the arguments between the middle school kids. Middle school kids sit in the front of the bus, but they are also divided between which grade they are in. The sixth graders sit closer to the bus drivers, the rest of the middle schoolers sit in the middle and the highschoolers sit in the back.

    As we walked down the aisle Ralph, a bully to all newcomers, tripped Alaya, who was right in front of me. I glared at him as he laughed. I quickly helped Alaya up and led her to my assigned seat. After we sat down, the bus started moving. Just then, I see Alaya getting up. She walked towards Ralph and started yelling at him.

“You think it is so funny because you tripped a little girl? Well, I got news for you! It isn’t funny! How would you like it if someone did it to you, huh? Back off! Or else.” She held a fist up to him.

“Hey! Sit down!” yelled the bus driver.

“Or else what?” Ralph spat back.

This was crazy. No one has ever stood up to Ralph. The only person that could make Ralph stop, was his dad. Everyone was quiet as their eyes lied on Alaya and Ralph. Ralph was laughing with his friends while Alaya’s eyes filled with fury. Fists formed at Alaya’s sides. Just then, she raised one fist, pulled back, and pushed with full force right into Ralph’s nose. Then, a sudden cry came from Ralph. Everyone stared at Alaya in shock, including me. The only person who didn’t was the bus driver, who pulled over to the side of the road.

“Hey! Who are you?” the bus driver yelled as he pointed to Alaya.

“Alaya.” she replied back. Her voice lost all confidence and suddenly gained fear.

“What happened?”

“Well, I was just walking and then he pushed me,” she pointed to Ralph. “Then he started to laugh. So, I got up and told him it wasn’t funny and I punched him in his nose. It was only to get back at him. My mom and dad used to always tell me that if someone hurts me, then it would only be fair if I hurt them back.”

“Well, it seems like I have to call your parents then. Now sit down. You two will take care of this in the Principal’s office.”

“You can’t call my parents. They died a few years ago. I’m an orphan. I live with Kayla and her parents.”

“Oh. Well, I will call Kayla’s parents and let them know. Now, sit down and no more funny business.” the bus driver went back to the wheel and started driving again.

Ralph sat in the front of the bus holding a napkin to his bloody nose. Alaya sat next to me in the middle of the bus and didn’t say a single word. I could tell, though, that she was trying so hard not to cry. Her face looked towards the window and sometimes down at her knees. One time, I saw a tear fall. I placed my hand on her back. She jumped a little and looked at me.

“Hey. It’s okay. I promise. You defended yourself. He was totally asking for it.” I told her.

She nodded her head in response. Then, she went back to looking out the window.