At a Price

IV. Reality Calling

Rebekah Anderson POV:

     The worst part of the year has to be when the first bell rings on the first day of school. On one hand, it's one minute closer to my next band class, however it's also another minute closer to the rest of school. School means crowds of people, judgement, and the gosh-awful smell of Axe body spray. I mean come on, don't these people have a nose? What would posses someone to spray so much, do they want, "death by Axe?"

     School would be so much better if there were dogs. Dogs are so great. Aww, I wonder how Jack is doing? I miss him. I bet he misses me, too. He's such a good boy... even though he chewed my old drumsticks.

     Thinking about Jack made me smile. Apparently, I smiled a little too much. Next thing I know, I hear the foulest noise ever. It's the voice of Cierra Allen, the girl who has made my life awful last year because I wouldn't

     "What's up with you? Is the nerd ready to see her friends again? Don't worry, I'm sure the teachers missed you, too." My smile dropped immediately. I don't know what it is about her, but something made all of my courage disappear into thin air. The surrounding kids laughed, and I was mortified. Can I just get out of here?

     I walked to my first period class, history. I have a new teacher, Mr. Pratt. Maybe this year con't be bad. Ugh, who am I kidding? Of course it will be bad. The bell rings, and it takes a while for everyone to quiet down. Once it happens, Mr. Pratt starts to speak.

~~~

     Eventually, it's fifth period; time for band! Finally! Band is the best class there is. I mean, all of the best people are in band. Also, I'm a percussionist so I get to hit things with sticks! The lunch schedule says that band has the first lunch block, so I'm in no rush. Some of the members of the baseball team walk over to me, and I can tell that it's not a good thing.

"Hey, freak. How's it going," says Mark Smith, the pitcher.

"Please just let me go to class, Mark," I mumble with my head down, trying to get past them. It doesn't work, the team blocks my way so I can't walk away.

     "What was that? I mean, I think I heard something, but I don't see anyone. It's like someone is invisible, or something," he continues, bumping into me for emphasis. My books fall to the ground, and I bend down to pick them up before everything gets trampled. While I'm there, another player pushes me down. Tears begin to blur my vision as I surrender to my fate. Suddenly, a new voice chimes in.

"Hey, stop it guys. Can't you see she's upset?" I can't see the person, but I wouold know that voice anywhere. It's the voice of Jace Patterson, the baseball legend of the school.

"Shut up, Jace. We're just having fun," Mark excuses himsel, obviously frustrated at Jace for interrupting.
"Well obviously she's not, so get off her back," Jace stands his ground. The group surrounding me disperses hesitantly. Jace walks over to help me collect my books. I'm trying to pull myself together, but when I make eye contact with him, I know that I can't and I need to leave.

I think he sees this, and he asks about it. "Hey, are you okay?"

"Um, y-yeah. I'm f-fine. T-thanks." He opens his mouth to say soething else,I walk away before he can say anything.

     As I'm rushing away, I see a bathroom. I don't even thing about it, I just walk in. Nobody is here, which is good for me. I let my backpack to the ground in front of me and slide down the wall. I wouldn't normally do this, but it's the first day of school so the bathrooms are the cleanest they will be this year. I didn't expect to see him again. Especially not in that reguard. He didn't seem to recognize me. I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing.