The Blue Eyed Leopard

Leopard Wins Again

I wrap my fists tightly in cloth, zipping up the back of my leopard printed suit. The suit shows leopard spots on a pearly white background. I pull my jet black hair into a high ponytail, I put the leopard print mask on over my eyes. It matches my suit, I put in the icy blue contacts as well. I proceed to pace around the changing room. "Please welcome our hometown champion... Leopard!" the ref says. I walk out of the room and into the ring, my opponent is slightly taller than me. I'm six feet even, he appears to be six foot three.

We circle as the bell clangs, I watch him closely looking for a weak point. Once I find it I kick him square behind his left knee, he was holding his weight on his right leg and limping slightly. He loses his balance and I quickly go into a series of punches and kicks. He manages to stand and takes a sloppy swing at my stomach, I grab his fist an use his leverage to flip him over. A resounding smack can be heard as he hits the mat. He stays down this time, "Our winner is Leopard!" the ref holds up my right fist.

The crowd cheers before it turns into screams, "COPS!" someone yells. I bolt into the changing room and throw a pair of leggings on along with an oversized sweater. I remove my mask and put on my fake black rimmed glasses. They left the money outside my door, I grab it and sneak out through the back exit. I hop onto my motorcycle and speed off into the night. When I get home to the house I share with my older brother I see Andrew pacing the living room. "Drew, I'm fine." I state bluntly. Andrew comes over to me and pulls me into a bone crushing hug.

"I was so worried! I heard that the cops busted the bar you were fighting at and I got scared that they had caught you!" Andrew rambles. "Well I'm fine." I say rubbing his back. He lets me out of the hug, I take a step back before mushing his dark brown hair with my hand. He scowls, "I told you don't touch my hair woman!" he pouts. I laugh before going upstairs to take a shower, I pull on a pair of boy shorts and a tank top before slipping under the covers of my queen sized bed. I drift off to sleep with a smile on my face.

****

I wake up to the sound of my alarm blaring in my ear, it hits me that this is my first day of senior year in high school. I groan before rolling over, I put my pillow over my head to block out the sunlight. I finally get out of the bed ten minutes later, my clock reads 7:30am. I set my clock for 7:19am so that I would get up in time to get ready for school which starts at eight o'clock. I go over to my walk-in closet and pick out an outfit that will help me blend in at school. It consists of a pair of dark washed skinny jeans, a sweatshirt that reads 'I'd Rather Be Sleeping'.

I brush my hair out and let it fall over my blue-green eyes. I put on the fake glasses and slip my bag over my shoulder. I go downstairs and find a note taped to the fridge,

Already left for work, love you.

Be good, don't get in trouble.

Make new friends at school.

See you when I get home,

-A

I roll my eyes, Andrew knows I don't have any friends and that I'm perfectly fine like that. He also knows that I'll always be good during school so no one will suspect anything. I grab an orange and peel it quickly before slipping the slices into a plastic bag. I take a coke from the fridge and grab the keys to my jeep. I grab my phone from the counter where I put when I peeled the orange and head out the door. I put my bag in the passenger's seat and put the key into the ignition. I back out of the driveway and drive down the road towards the place I call prison.

I eat my orange on the way to school, I drink the coke as well. I get out of my jeep and walk towards the school entrance. I ignore the whispers and glares I receive from people. As a loner people gossip about you, they try to break you. I go into the office and get in line to receive my schedule. When I get to the desk the lady asks me my name, "Ashley Rivers." I say. She types it into the computer and hands me a folder filled with papers. There's a list of my classes and my locker plus locker combination.

I head down the hall and find my locker, sadly for me there's a couple making out right beside my locker. I quietly put my things away and go to my first class which happens to be History, oh joy. (Note my sarcasm) I walk into the class and take a seat by the window, the class starts a few minutes later. "Hello class, I'm Mr. Palmer. I'll be your history teacher, any questions?" the teacher says. No one raises their hand, "Good, and considering this is the first day you have free time." Mr. Palmer states.

Everyone gathers into their own little groups, I stay in my seat and pull out my phone. I put in my earbuds and listen to 'Scars To Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara'. I take out my sketchbook and draw aimlessly.(sketch and song at top) The bell rings and I stand from my seat before exiting the room. My next class is math, I trudge down the halls and into my math class. The teacher drones on about the school year while I zone out. I pick up my pencil and doodle on the cover of my notebook.

****

I stand up from my current class and head towards the library for study hall. I sit down in a chair by the window, I notice that the weather has turned from warm and sunny to cold and rainy. I'm glad I drove my jeep and not my motorcycle. I read a book on snow leopards. I read until the bell for last period rings. I stand and make my way to music class. The teacher is playing the piano, I go over and tap her shoulder. She jumps, "Oh! You scared me there!" comments. "Can I play?" I ask. She nods, "My job is to inspire so go ahead." she says.

I sit down at the piano and play 'Most Girls by Hailee Steinfeld'.

When I finish I hear clapping and I turn to see the entire class watching me. "That was magnificent!" the teacher beams. I go and sit back in my seat, the teacher continues on. "We will be having a talent show in three weeks. You are all required to participate. You can work solo or in groups, that's up to you." the teacher says. Some people groan while others start looking around the room for a partner. A guy walks up to me, he has caramel colored curly hair and green eyes.

"No." I say when he opens his mouth to ask me. He frowns, "But you didn't know why I came over here." he complains. "To ask me to be your partner in the talent show?" I say. He looks guilty, "That's what I thought." I comment. The bell rings a few minutes later and he was the only one trying to be my partner in the talent show. I stand up and head to my locker, someone slams my locker door closed. I look up to see a girl wearing a hot pink crop top that shows way to much cleavage, a lime green mini skirt that rides up showing her underwear and silver stiletto heels.

"Barbie." I acknowledge. She narrows her eyes, "I am not a Barbie you whore!" she spits. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." I say. Her face turns beet red, "Bitch!" she yells. I don't even flinch. She storms away, "This isn't over!" she yells over her shoulder. I reopen my locker and get my things. I walk out to my jeep and pull out of the school parking lot, I drive home and get out of my jeep...