The Unwanted One

Breakfast and mates

"Mare!" I jerked awake, flailing my arms, managing to hit myself three times before I sat up. Rubbing my eyes, I looked up - and inwardly groaned. My father was standing above me, glaring down, hands on his hips. He looked terrifying.

I quickly stood, and it was then I remembered I fell asleep on the ground. I swiftly brushed myself off, trying to see in the low dawn light if I was presentable.

'Of course not' I thought dryly to myself. Shaking my head slightly, I looked up to meet my fathers glare.

He growled under his breath.

"Breakfast. Now." I quickly nodded and ran inside, grateful he hadn't done anything worse than just yelling at me.

I threw some fresh wood on the cooling embers, and spent a few minutes bringing the fire back to life. I could hear my siblings grumbling from the other room, grumpy about not being able to eat breakfast on time.

I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bowl. My mind wandered as my hands did the same motions they had been doing for years now.

I started to relive last night. The emotions came back afresh, and I almost broke down in the middle of breakfast-something that would defiantly earn me a beating.

I set the bowl aside, grabbed the corner on the island, leaned forward, and breathed.

'In and out Mare, in and out.' Blood flowed to my head, and the left side throbbed from where my father hit me yesterday. I put a hand up to my head and pushed it, hoping the small scab wouldn't break, letting lose more blood.

I heard many footsteps then, and I knew my siblings were coming to the table to eat. I quickly stood up straight, grabbed the bowl and continued mixing. I scooted past the island to the dining room, walking over to the fire. My sibling ignored me, but I could still hear what they were talking about.

"Coral, did you hear? Ms. Taumbin's son got engaged to Stacy!"

"I can't believe Rocky went lame. He was my favorite horse."

"Guess what, Red? Mr. Oscar is giving me his leftover wood planks. For free!"

I sighed and set the bowl down. I had loved Rocky as well, and I was just hearing about this now. I shook my head and dumped the contents of the bowl into the larger bowl over the fire, mixing it to finish the oatmeal.

It was quickly completed and I grabbed a bunch of smaller bowls, filling them with the mush. I handed them out without a word, and with no word said to me.

Once finished, I dumped the mixing bowl in a large soapy tub and threw the spoon in after it. I swiftly washed them up, then ran upstairs to the attic, my room. I threw on my school clothes, adorned an apron so I wouldn't get them wet, and ran back down the duel flights of stairs to the kitchen.

My siblings had finished and I gathered up there bowls and spoons. I ran to the tub and washed them all.

"God help me hurry, God help me hurry," I sang to myself a prayer while I ripped off my apron and tossed on my shoes. Opening the front door, I ran out back to the barn. As fast as I could, I fed each of the animals, tossing hay and grain every which way, hurrying so I wouldn't be TOO late for school.

I finished and ran to the street. I yelled goodbye, even though I knew it would go completely unheard, and wished myself Godspeed.

***

I made it to school just as the first class was ending. It was a one room school house though so there was no sneaking in here. I scuffed up to the door, dusting myself off, before opening it.

I ducked my head to hide my automatic blush and tried to block out the instant silence. I walked to my old wooden desk and sat with a thud. I could hear my heartbeat and didn't look up as the silence continued.

'Come on'. I thought to myself. 'One if you idiots say something.' Seconds of silence were still rolling by. Beads of embarrassed sweat broke out on my forehead.

Finally the teacher spoke, glaring at me.

"Well Ms. Blarke, nice of you to stop in. You know I don't award points for being late." Have I mentioned she's a sarcastic?

I refrained from rolling my eyes and thanked God someone spoke, regardless of what they said. I nodded to her, and she glared at me some more, then went back to scribbling on the white board. I sighed and leaned back

And heard Mike talking behind me.

"Well, I guess today is the perfect day."

"I agree," said Butch. Now I was truly terrified. What on earth could they be planning now?!

I couldn't concentrate on school the rest of the day. There was a reason these four were in the lamest school in the galaxy; no other school could handle them! And here I am expected to take them on solo!

I decided that I would just stay in my seat for lunch. I wouldn't get up or get out, just sit still until lunch was over.

The sandglass on the teachers desk was moving so slowly. I wonder if it's clogged again. Last time that happened we skipped lunch. I don't know if I'm hoping it's clogged or if not.

Several painfully long minutes later, the sand ran out, and the kids started leaving. I sat tight and started praying that God would just get me through lunch break.

Talia and Butch were the last ones to leave. Hand in hand, they stopped at the door when they noticed me. Talia turned around and draped herself over Butch dramatically. She spoke in a high, drawn out voice.

"Ah, why the little Nightmare has stayed behind! Won't you be getting hungry, darling?" I cringed at her voice.

"No, I'm good, but thanks for the offer," I said, hoping, desperately praying, she would go away.

She smirked. Butch grinned and grabbed her waist, pulling her much to close to him, and they started walking over to me. I pretended to continue working on the paper the teacher assigned but beads of perspiration broke out over my forehead.

The two sashayed in between the desks, like they were dancing, instead of bringing the local garbage girl to her doom. They finally reached my desk, and Butch held Talia's waist as Talia bent over backwards, her head mere inches from mine, giggling like an overgrown pig. She stroked my chin.

"Daaarling, the day has come! We have decided to chose him today!" That, did not sound good. I looked at her tried not to let my emotions out, which I'm pretty good at.

"What." I said. She smiled, her hair in my lap.

"The four of us will be finding you a male partner for life!"

Oh dear. Poor Mare. It's bad enough when your friends try to find you a mate, never mind when your enemy tries. This will be interesting 😏
Also sorry it's so short; procrastination is apparently my new middle name XD Anyway next chapter will be coming soon, hope you enjoyed, ttyl!

Me