The Hoodie Girl

Chapter 1: One More Week

I feel like I have to throw up. I'm coughing and wheezing so bad that I have to stop walking to catch my breath. I stop in front of someone's house and lean on their mailbox. The people in the cars passing are looking at me like I'm some pathetic scum.

They're right. I can't even walk to school without getting too tired. I'm fat, and it doesn't help that I have asthma.

I reach in my school bag for my inhaler. I panic when I don't find it in the compartment where I, usually, put it. Panicking is the worst thing to do when you have asthma. I, quickly, look through the bag again and send a silent 'thank you' to the man upstairs, when I find it wedged between my English and Chemistry books.

I take a few drags from my inhaler. I welcome the breath back in my body with open arms. When my breathing is back to normal, I continue on my journey to school.

I'm running a little late today. My dick of a brother took forever in the shower this morning, and of course, he didn't want to give me a ride. He doesn't want anyone to know I'm his sister.

Brodie is one year older than me, but we're in the same grade. I skipped a grade in middle school. He doesn't even acknowledge me in school, but I'm used to it.

He treats me like shit at home, too. I would say he's just following the lead of our evil, hateful grandmother, Ember, but I'm not sure about that. I think he has his own reasons for despising me.

I finally see the school, and I let out a deep breath. Feels like I've been walking forever, and my shoes aren't any help. They barely have soles on them.

I walk up to the parking lot to see that everybody is still out there talking with their groups of friends. I let out another shaky, deep breath. I make sure my hood is still on my head, and I walk up to Ridgeway High with my head down.

My grip on my school bag tightens the closer I get to the school. My eyes are trained on my raggedy, beat up Converse. I try to make myself as invisible as possible. I don't like to give these cruel kids any reason to pick on me. They are ruthless, and I just want to finish this last week of school in one piece.

I let out a small, almost inaudible, sigh. Thank God school is almost over. I can get away from this place and these people. I can start a new life. A happier life.

My plump lips curl up into a smile at the thought, but it is immediately wiped away when I bump into something rock hard. I stumble back a little from the impact. At least it didn't send me flying on my fat ass.

"Watch where the fuck you're going, Biggie."

Brodie. I don't respond, nor do I look up. I don't want to see the arrogant smirk that he is, no doubt, wearing.

I simply just wait for them to pass before I head over to my locker. Brodie passes and bumps my shoulder hard as fuck. The rest of his little clique makes cow sounds when they pass.

I continue on the path to my locker chanting 'almost there' to myself to keep me motivated. Though it's hard to stay motivated when everyone keeps fucking with you. I put in my locker combination and throw my school bag in the locker quickly.

I grab my French and Chemistry books before shutting the locker. Instead of standing in the halls, socializing, I make my way to French class early. It's not like I have anyone to socialize with anyway.

I walk into the class, and the teacher, Ms. Mikhael, is walking around, placing papers on each desk. I walk to the back of the class, making sure to keep my head down. I don't even interact with the teachers, but I have straight A's. I place my books on my desk and plop down, making the desk squeak a little bit. Thank God no one is in here.