Sanctuary of the Saints

Adrian. Get up.

"No," I groaned and rolled over.

Ade, come on. You're going to be late. Again.

"Five minutes. I promise." I pulled the covers tighter around me and shoved my head deeper into the feathered pillow.

The early bird catches the worm.

"Fuck the early bird, as far as I'm concerned he can fuck him self with that worm," I have up trying to argue. Sitting up and criss crossing my legs, I leaned over and rubbed my eyes. Too early,

So snappy, what a prick you are in the mornings.

"Fuck off," I spat and untangled my legs from the covers and got up to get ready. I don't like this. Ever. Mornings should be illegal. Banned.

Walking down the hall, I opened the bathroom door and stepped onto floor and instantly jumped. The tile was freezing. Fuck.

You're such a girl sometimes.

"Shut up, Damian." I shoved him deep into the back of my thoughts.

Pulling on a t-shirt and jeans and brushed my teeth fast, gelled my hair back and washed the remaining oils from my face. I looked back in the mirror and touched my face. My face, I reminded myself.

You look like shit.

I ignored the insult from my companion and continued to the door with my bus pass in hand and I waved to my empty dorm.

I stepped out into the street and shivered as a chilly gust swept towards me. I walked a short ways to the benches that held a man in a suit and a woman dressed in rags.

What a hag. Bet she'd tickle your pickle for a nickel.

"Shut the fuck up, Damian." I mumbled to myself. He retreated into my thoughts.

I boarded the bus and greeted the bus driver, Jim.

I sat behind the driver's seat and slid in by the window. Laying my forehead against the cold glass, I tried to get as much rest as I could before I made it to that place.

Wake up, loser. We're here.

I rubbed the last bits of sleep out of my eyes and pushed my exhaustion to the outside of my mind. I watched the buttoned up shirts with black slacks pile into the School. I jumped off the bus and hurried inside.

The hallway was quiet even though it was crowded. All these people and all you heard were the shuffle of feet and the silent prayers to leave.

I heard the bell ring and I saw my first period down the hall. I sprinted to the door and the nun who had started her lesson looked at me with a look of disappointment.

"Adrian, why are you late?" She patted a ruler against her hand, threateningly.

"Someone told me to go to hell. I got lost." I looked around calmly. "Don't worry, I'm here now", I said smoothly with no expression change at all.

The shock from my words hit her and she sighed hard. The class had wide eyes and was silent, except for a giggle in the back of the class.

Maria's hand went up and her green painted nails flickered in the light. Her purple hair and pierced lip were also violation of code, I was surprised she'd been left and the head nun hadn't picked her up yet for discipline. The nun's head snapped in her direction.

"May I use the bathroom?" She asked with false politeness. The nun looked her over, shooing her out.

"Trying to get kicked out if this hell before me?"

Maria whispered as she walked passed me.

The nun was still staring at me and I wished I could remember her name. That irks me.

"Take your seat Adrian. I'll forget your remark and pray to St. Jude for you." She pointed to the back corner. I took my seat.

The patron saint of lost causes. I'm not a lost cause, just not particularly fond of religion where I have to worship a god my entire life for an afterlife that may or may not be real. I think I'll take a full happy life over that any day. Maybe I'm the antichrist.

That would explain the death-like smell you have.

Hey! I don't smell, I yelled to the voice.

Should pray to Saint Drogo for your looks...

"Hey!"

I stood up in the middle of the class and 23 heads, including the already pissed off nun looked back at me. Fuck.

I turned bright red with embarrassment and saw Maria leaning against the door frame with a faint smile.

"Adrian?" The nun raised an eyebrow at me.

"Sorry." I sunk down slowly back into my seat and continued to bury myself in my thoughts.

You idiot.

I ignored his comment and laid my head down in my arms and slept. The lesson was something about letting Jesus into my heart. I'm not good with authority.

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Author's Note:

Saint Drogo is the patron saint of unattractive people.

Saint Adrian is the patron saint of bravery and protection.

Saint Maria is the patron saint of teenage girl, rape victims and chastity; also rebellion.

Saint Damian is the patron saint of taming or controlling.

Saint Jude is the patron saint of lost causes, lost hope.