You were comforting and quiet; how did love become so violent?
4:30 A.M.
I panted heavily, hands grasping the punching bag to steady myself. I had been at this for about an hour or so. I couldn't sleep. Dreams of faceless strangers with frowns plastered on their lips clouded my thoughts. They mouthed, "I'm so sorry for your lost."
It was the same each time I had the dream.
I punched the bag, one final blow to end my early training session. I didn't expect it to fall from its current place at the garage ceiling. I had placed it in a type of lever system that granted me freedom to lower it or bring it higher. Now neither was possible.
As I go to pick up the bag I notice an old shoe box had also fallen. I looked inside, pictures of my parents in various occasions, wedding, birthday, you name it. My eyes get slightly teary when I see my mom, 7 months or so with a pregnant belly in display. She was so young and beautiful. I don't remember much of them since I was quite young when it happened, but I knew they were both kind people.
Why did they have to die? It's not fair.
Life is never fair.
I scan through the last pictures quickly. I wanted to be done with the painful heartache as soon as possible, but my desire to see them even in photographs was overwhelming. I stop going through them when I notice one I had never seen before.
It was my parents, my dad carrying what I assume is 1 year old me, and my mom- she was pregnant, very much pregnant.
I stand there still, shocked and confused. I have a sibling? But how?! There was no picture- oh.. my mom had most likely a miscarriage and I was far too young to understand what was going on.
I place the photo back along with the others and decide to take the box upstairs to my room. I'll look at them more closely another time. Once I got to my room I placed it under my bed and glanced at the clock to see how much time I had before school.
6:45 A.M.
I can just about make it in time with with a quick 5 minutes shower.
—•—
5 minutes turned to 15 and soon enough I had 1 minute to get to my class when I parked my car. I curse under my breath and hurry off to the entrance of the school.
"Tardy already, Lloyd?"
I halted my steps, looking to my left were Rose stood, blowing out the smoke from the cigarette she held.
"Ready to repeat senior year, Andrews?" I smirk at her.
Wanting to have the last word I continue to hurry off to my first block, but like Rose said, I was indeed tardy.
—•—
Lunch time came around and I found myself sitting alone again. It was for the best, but I couldn't help but feel lonely. It was quite depressing to be honest.
When I was done eating I look longingly to the tables full of people laughing and talking to one another. I never had a real friend as far as I can remember. I've always been alone.. it was my destiny I suppose.
"Ale- I mean Zac. Hi.." I look up to see Isak holding a tray of food, giving me a hopeful look.
I stare at him, his face.. it was familiar, but from where? Where had I seen him before..?
"You want to sit here? With me?" I question him.
"Yes! I mean.. If that's not too much trouble?"
He's unsure on how to act around me I can tell. I do give him credit to have the guts to walk up to the guy who made him unconscious. Something had also told me to say yes. So I did.
"Sure. One time thing. Don't get use to it."
"Thank you! You have no idea how hard it is to be the new kid." He sighs happily, sitting next to me.
"Trust me, I have plenty of an idea."
I take a bite of the stale burger they had given us today.
It tasted disgusting. I look at Isak to see if he agreed with the taste, but the boy had already finished his and was eyeing my second one.
"You can have it, weirdo." I push the tray towards him. He happily took it and ate it in a single bite. To be fair they were mini burgers.
"What's your favorite color?" He asks cheerfully.
"No."
That was enough interaction for one day.
I got up from the table and threw away my plate. I headed to my next block without looking back to Isak who probably stood there butt hurt.
—•—
Last block.
Rose.
"Did you give Mr. Oliver our project?" She questioned me as soon as I got to the door.
"If you haven't noticed I just got here." I answer her flatly. "I will now though, your highness."
I bow at her like Katniss did in the Hunger Games movie. It was funny at the time.
"You think you're hot shit don't you." She grabs my shirt, yanking me towards her. Our faces centimeters away. "Your pretty boy looks won't get you anywhere, Lloyd. Only to the hospital when I knock the life out of you."
"You think I'm pretty?" I asked curiously, completely ignoring her threat.
She yells out in frustration, giving up on trying to scare. Rose goes to sit on her desk and I go up to Mr. Oliver who didn't even bother to break our little dispute up. Last block I suppose.
I hand him a USB with only the photo in it like he had instructed. On Friday we would peer grade everyone's as he displays them on the board.
"Mr. Lloyd, if I may?" I nod. "Ms. Andrews isn't so bad once you've known her for some time. I remember sending her everyday to detention when I caught her outside my classroom skipping. I tried to understand her and see her as best as I could. Now when she's in trouble I'm the one they call to set her straight again. She's truly good at heart."
I don't reply and nod again.
If she's good at heart then what I'm I?
