The New Girl

The new girl chapter 18

"Wow! This place is amazing!" I tried to yell above the screams from the roller coaster overhead.

"Have you not come to an amusement park before?" Dylan yelled back.

"No!" My hair flew in the wind as the roller coaster zoomed past us. I marvelled at the intricately decorated teacups - or at least that's what they looked like - swirling in front of me. Tiny trams shaped like every animal possible were suspended in mid-air by some contraption, circling into a blur of colours. Balloons of different shapes and sizes were tied to structures and railings.

"What have you been doing your whole life?!"

"I'd wondered that myself too."

Dylan shook his head sympathetically. "Which do you want to ride first?"

"How about the one above?" I pointed to the red and white roller coaster overhead.

"Going straight for the biggest one. I like that." Dylan grinned as we headed for the ride.

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"That was sick!" I exclaimed after we got off the ride for the fourth time. We'd pretty much tried all the rides in the theme park by now. The sun was setting, turning the sky a deep orange as it dove behind a mass of cotton candy-like clouds. My heart was still pumping from the adrenaline from the last ride. Dylan, on the other hand, didn't look too well. His face was pale, and I could tell he was trying to force a smile.

"Are you okay, Dylan?"

"Y-yeah. I'm okay."

"Don't lie to me. You look like you're gonna puke-"

And that was the cue for Dylan to empty his gastric contents onto the grass next to us.

"You should have told me earlier that you were feeling sick." I said as I pat his back gently, fishing out some tissue from my bag.

Dylan could only respond with a grunt.

I shook my head. "Well, I guess it's time for us to head home."

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We don't talk anymore~ We don't talk anymore~ We don't talk anymore, like we used to do~ I groaned as my alarm sounded. I didn't want to go to school. Especially not after what happened yesterday. I dove under my pillow and tried to drown the sound out.

"Seline! Why are you still in bed?" Of course Aunt Elda wouldn't have any of it. She was standing at my bedside, arms crossed with a stern look on her face.

"Okay okay, I'm getting up." I heaved a sigh and finally started to get ready.

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I had thought of skipping class again today, but stopped myself. Maybe I should have. I sighed for the tenth time this morning as I walked on the pavement leading up to the school gate. I can't run away from it forever. Even if I avoid it today, it's gonna be the same tomorrow. Aunt Elda didn't work so hard for me to skip school.

Here goes nothing. I braced myself as I walked into the compound decisively.

I didn't know what I had imagined to happen. I averted my gaze to the floor, half expecting someone to throw a whole tuna at me, or stuff an ice cube down my back. Something along those lines.

But... none of that happened.

I looked up cautiously. No one took even a glance at me as I walked past. That's... weird. Surely what happened yesterday wasn't just an illusion? The compound was quiet, with everyone just shuffling around to their classes. It was as if yesterday didn't happen.

I frowned in confusion as I opened my locker. Nope, it definitely did. The remnants of the damage yesterday were still there in a small pile at the bottom of the locker. Then why? I looked around me. Everyone else was just minding his or her own business. Had everyone already forgotten about what happened yesterday?

I pulled out the books I needed - or at least the few remaining, less destroyed pages - for today and closed the locker door, only to see Dylan's face right beside mine.

I let out a shriek.

"Dylan! I told you to stop that!" I placed my palm on my chest, trying to calm my fast beating heart.

Dylan almost doubled over in laughter at my response, holding onto his sides.

Argh. I stomped away from him to my classroom.

Dylan didn't come after me this time. He just stood there, laughing like a maniac.

I swear, that guy gets on my nerves sometimes.

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Classes ended uneventfully. I had thought it would be another day of torture. But no. No one actually bothered about me. Even the professor seemed to call on me less. Not that I was complaining.

I walked out of the school compound after putting my books back into my locker. The warmth from the sun felt nice on my skin. The air had the smell of freshly cut grass. Even the birds seemed to be singing louder than I'd heard them. I stretched my arms above my head and indulged in the moment as I strolled back home.

A familiar, well-built figure was standing outside my door. I realised immediately who it was as I approached nearer. I reflexively dodged behind a wall. Why is he here? I peered out from my hiding spot. He hasn't appeared to have seen me yet.

I paced around for a good five minutes, hoping he'd leave. But of course, he hadn't budged from the same spot from when I last checked. I sighed inwardly. Why did he come? I looked around me, planning my next move. I can't stay here forever. Why am I letting him stop me from entering my own house anyway? What am I afraid of?

Eyes filled with new resolve, I squared my shoulders, straightened my back and walked out.

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