The Definition Of Fitting In

Chapter Four

I stubbornly glared at the dashboard for a few minutes. Skylar and I sat awkwardly in the car with a familiar strained silence. I heaved a large breath and finally Skylar said something.

"I- I think we should get out of the car."

I gave him a stiff nod and shoved the car door open. With my head held high, and my shoulders squared; I strutted right by him and passed the unbelievably 'artsy' teenagers.

I felt the peircing stares from the rest of the students. It felt as if they were planning on slowly eating me alive. I've never felt so intimidated. Correction; I've never felt intimidated. I just didn't give a damn.

Now I did. I needed to if this 'Fitting In' plan was going to work. I released a breath of relief when I finally forced the hefty front door open.

It didn't occur to me how warm the air outside was until the burst of cold air engulfed me. Then I realized; I had no clue where to go. So I just stood there.

"Haha, yeah she was all like, 'Oh Trev stop'! You're a beast!"

That phrase was followed by an intimidating wave of boyish laughter.

My neck swivelled around to glance at who had said it. Baffled, I took in the sight of Skylar and even more arrogant looking boys with jerseys, stumbling to the school entrance. It was then that Skylar and I made eye contact, but he swiftly looked away.

I assumed that was what he thought about the kiss we shared... He wanted to forget it. He wanted to ignore it; ignore me.

I'm not here to make friends anyway. Back to my initial problem, where the heck was the front office? I began wandering down the large hallway, eager of getting away from his 'posse'.

As I shuffled down the hall, my mind wandered ruthlessly back to Skylar's tongue ring...

"Watch it Bailey!"

I blinked a few times as I exited my trance. It was Emma that I stumbled into.

Just great.

"Um, Emma I know you don't particularly like me but... Would you help me find the office?"

It seemed as if she was genuinly contemplating helping me. She had her manicured nails twirling through her hair when she said,

"I don't see why not. Follow me."

I winced at the high pitch of her voice, but followed her nonetheless. It took a while for us to reach the office; I wondered why they would make it so deep into the pathways of the school. I sighed in frustration and exhaustion.

We stopped in front of two beige doors, and she gave me an impatient prod towards the doors.

"I'll drive you home if you want."

She offered, while perfectly pronouncing each word.

"Um, thanks."

"He can be a jerk at times, but he's just being a boy."

"Yeah," I nodded solemnly; knowing exactly who she was speaking about.

~~~~~

After my somewhat bonding session with Emma, my morning didn't turn out any better. It seemed as if all my classes were intentionally placed the farthest distance possible from the previous. I was sweating a river by lunchtime.

There was a lump in my throat all through the lunch line. I took mostly starches and I didn't talk to anyone else. As I reached the end of the lunch line I finally realized that I didn't bring any money with me. I didn't even bring a purse!

Then, two tan, developed arms wrapped around me. I squealed and attempted to pry the arms from around me. I could feel the vibrations of his hardy laughter on my back. Once again, I was frightened.

He finally released and I spun around to see my assaulter. It was one of the boys from earlier. His jersey was no longer on him, which showed off his broad shoulders and muscley biceps.

"Hey."

He said while grinning and showing off his teeth brilliantly.

"Hello?"

I said, my voice a higher pitch than usual.

He grasped my hands in his. My sweaty palms were beginning to embarrass me. His grin became even larger.

"Sit with me Bailey."

"Okay. Wait, how do you know my name?"

I whimpered. He then dragged a reluctant me over to an overly occupied table in the center of the lunchroom. He sat down in the only open seat and I stood there awkwardly with my hand still in his. He gave me an expectant look and then tilted his head towards his lap.

I mouthed 'no', but he tugged me and I fell onto him. It didn't take me long to realize that everybody was staring at us. And after a long silence, someone spoke up.

"So who is this Trev?"

An unfamiliar face said.

"Bailey. She's staying with my family for a while."

Skylar pitched in. He then sent me a confused glance. I shrugged my shoulders in response.

They all then bombarded me with questions. They asked about my past, family, favorite color even. And all thoughout lunch the person I assumed was Trev was stroking my arm and giving me pecks on the neck. When lunch ended I shrugged out of his arms.

My day ended even worse when I realized Trev was in all my afternoon classes. He sent me a bunch of notes that I didn't reply to; and when school ended I was fatigued.

The car ride with Emma was even worse. She kept tons of girly songs on her iPhone and danced around as she drove. Once again, frightened.. The only difference was that I was frightened for my life. She. Was. A. Terrible. Driver.

Once we reached 'home' I took a quick shower and sat on my bed in a towel and with my hair splayed around my shoulders. Surprisingly I had no homework. so I just listened to music on an Ipod that my friend 'fetched' for me.

I was halfway through an Eminem song when there was a knock on my room door.

"Come in,"

I said as I paused the music.

Skylar then stalked into my room with a furious expression plastered onto his face. He sat next to me on my bed and put his arm around me.

"I'm mad Bailey."

Was I supposed to care?

"Why?"

"What's up with you and Trev?"

He asked quickly switching the topic.

"Nothing,"

I mumbled, while playing with my hair.

"It didn't seem that way."

"Why do you even care Skylar? You blew me off!"

"No I didn't."

Was he that oblivious?

"Whatever. Just get out."

His arms left my body, making me feel icy. He looked me deeply in the eyes and then stormed out of my room.