The Unfortunate Life Of Amelia Thorn.

Chapter Three:

"I hate Mondays."

"Got an extra clip, Michaela?"

"Did you hear what Ms. Gellanhall said in Math class?"

Slamming my schoolbag to the tiled floor of the bathroom cubicle, I sigh heavily and drop my over-burdened body onto the toilet seat. I've been trying to focus on the conversations surrounding me for the past few hours, but unfortunately I am only greeted with the usual buzzing in my ears. 

By now, everyone in the school knew the story of Amelia and her forlorn fate-stricken lover. After having to explain to all those who saw the climatic spark on Friday evening were sent a blank stare and posted a short response of: 'It didn't work out; He has a girlfriend.', I'm really not in the mood to be around my friends. Even if they were just trying to cheer me up.

I rest my head into my hands and breathe deeply. I've struggled to expose the Happy-Go-Lucky Amelia all day, and people are getting suspicious so I've returned to my usual daytime hide-out. 

My thoughts drift to the messages exchanged with Keith.. The fight I had with my mother earlier.. What'll be for supper tonight..

But soon, I hear the door of the girl's bathroom swing open and the usual ring of Jay's voice spreading through the air like butter on bread. 

"EXCUSE ME, PAGING MISS AMELIA! ARMAGEDDON, THE WORLD IS CALLING!"

Oh no. 

I hold my breath and close my eyes, using whatever will-power is left lurking under my skin to attempt any type of childhood dreamlike superhero power of invisibility or transportation but when my eyes flutter open, Jay's are inches away from mine. 

"What's up, buttercup?"

Quick. Last chance to pull an Outgoing Amelia move. 

"AH! YOU GOT ME! Sorry, lovie, was just texting one of those boys from Saturday night. You know, that blonde one? Yeah. Real hot."

Considering the genuinity of the answer, Jay nods slowly and wrinkles her nose before swivelling on her heels and tenderly walking out of the cubicle. She frantically scrubs at her hands in the ceramic basin while eyeing a piece of outlying hair of her up-do in the mirror. 

The tension builds as her hands swiftly move over her hair, re-tying it into a perfect ponytail bursting with curly hairs in every direction. This can't be good. 

"Hey, so, how did physics.."

She cuts me off with a clear red-light.

"I need to speak to you after school."

I nod solemnly and lift my bag to my shoulder. 

Brave face, Amelia. 

''Yeah, sure! Meet you by the tree? See you there!"

I run before she can mutter anything else. I run before her cold eyes meet mine in the reflection of the mirror. I run before I have to face the truth again. 

Before I feel as if I've satisfied my need to escape, I suddenly stumble into an all-too-familiar air of carelessness. A huge boy-ish hand slams onto my back and thunderous laughter explodes into my ear.

"AMELIA! MY PEWDS BUDDY!"

I sweep a stray hair behind my ear and smile widely. This is one place where it's never hard to hide the inside story: around the boys. Smiling broadly, I enter the circle and snatch a cellphone out of pre-occupied hands. 

"What's this you're playing, Craigy? COD? Weakling.", I shout loud enough for thee entire group to hear. 

We all share a laugh and the ambience of my inside world seems dull when compared to thee undercurrent of happiness here. An arm slips around my shoulders and a few more laughs erupt from the volcano of heat caused by the friction of Adam's Apples grinding against the vocal cords of around ten adolescent boys. I'm about to leave when suddenly, an interesting topic catches my attention.