Scars

Chapter Two

The day is going as it always does, I go from class to class, at least two seats empty on either side of me. Yeah, it's rude, but I'm used to it. It's been going on for a few years now. I've just taken my seat in history class, near the end of the back row. Cove and his best friend Seth walk into the class, followed by Lila and Desiree. Cove spots me and a small smile spreads across his face. He walks to the row and pulls out the chair next to me, sending me a grin. I smile back as Lila prances over to us.
Before Cove can sit down, Lila intertwines their arms and places her head on his shoulder, looking up at him through her long, mascara covered eye lashes.
"Come sit with me, Cove. You don't want me to be lonely do you?" She pours her red stained lips, fluttering her lashes. I roll my eyes.
"Oh. Uh, why don't you sit here? I'm sure Stella won't mind. Right?" He looks down at me, his blue eyes swimming with hope and uncertainty.
I shrug.
"I don't mind." I say simply, before turning back to the front of the class. I hear Lila let out a little whine.
"Oh, come on. You know I don't like to sit at the back, I can't read the board."
"Well you could always just sit with Desiree." Cove tries to reason with her.
"She's sitting with Seth." She points a manicured finger to the front of the class where Desiree is twirling her brown hair, making googoo eyes at Seth. Cove let's out an audible sigh.
"Yeah. Ok. Let's go. I'll see you later Stella." He shoots me an apologetic smile.
"It's ok." I assure him. "Also, Lila? I suggest you get your eyes checked out. Not being able to read the board from here at our age is a bit concerning." I send her an innocent smile as a scowl crosses her blood red lips. I swear I see Cove smirk before she pulls him away. I smile happily to myself and begin copying down the notes off the board.

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The school day finally ends, and I make my way through the long halls to the front of the school. I get a few looks from the passing students, but brush them off, as I see them everyday. To be completely honest, I don't know why I'm treated so differently. I'm not sure why I'm labeled as weird. I've always minded my own business and never spoken out of line or started any trouble. I guess I'm just not that likeable. I'm not complaining, I've been taught not to make a big deal of things I can't control.
I weave through the students all eagerly rushing out of school and out into the yard. I can't see Cove anywhere, so I wait by the tall fence. I watch silently as cars pull up on the road outside and students leave.
A really old, red car with the paint peeling of pulls up in front of me on the other side of the fence. A sharp pain shoots through my side as my vision goes blurry. I wince as my eyes come back into focus, showing the same car, but I'm much better condition. I see the silhouette of a man smoking is cigar in the front seat. He turns his head and the pain in my side comes back. I clutch my side, wincing, and the blurriness returns. I squeeze my eyes shut, still clutching my side. The pain goes away and I open my eyes, only to see that the car isn't there anymore. I glance around the yard, watching as my class mates trail out of the school building. I look back at the road, still holding my side in confusion.
"Stella!" I hear footsteps behind me and Cove appears at me side, his signature smile dancing on his lips. I don't answer, instead I look back at the road, scanning for the red car. "Stella.. you with me?" Cove asks, waving a hand in front of my eyes. I look back at him.
"Uh, Yeah. Sorry." I move my hands away from my side, one hand rubbing my forehead in confusion.
"You ok?" Cove asks. I hum in response, trying to figure out what had just happened. "You sure? You seem a little shaken up.. did something happen?" Cove asks again, concern written on his face. I wave an airy hand.
"Yeah, Yeah. Where are we going?" I ask, changing the subject. Cove studies my face, his forehead creased. I look back at him in silence, waiting for a response. He narrows his eyes at me and I start to get annoyed. "What?" I ask a little too forcefully. He rolls his eyes at me.
"Nothing. I was thinking the park, but we can go where ever." I nod.
"The parks fine." He smiles at me as we begging the walk to the park. He proceeds to tell me about his day, but all I can focus on is the car and the weird pain.

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About ten minutes and an exact run down of Coves day later, we arrive at the park. Cove and I have been coming to this park ever since we first became friends a few years ago. We named it 'Butterfly Park' because of the blue butterfly that perched itself on my shoulder the first time we came.
"I'll race you to the tree." Cove grins at me before sprinting off. I laugh and follow him, clutching onto my backpack. I run faster, almost by his side. He stumbles over a large rock, but recovering a few seconds later, but giving me time to overtake him. I look over my shoulder and send him a cheeky grin, poking my tongue out.
I hear him laugh as I continue running. Soon, a hand grabs my arm, brining me to a stop and I fall over, pulling Cove with me. I lay on the soft grass and burst out laughing as I look over at Cove. He smiles at me and laughs just as loud. This is what I love; being with my best friend in my favourite place and not hearing comments about 'that weirdo'.