The Lightning Clashes

1

Looking out the window, I noticed that it was pouring outside. I silently prayed that I wouldn't hear thunder, but suddenly, there was a jagged line of light and a loud, booming noise. Gasping, I cocooned myself in my blankets and closed my eyes.

Soon enough I fell asleep.

* * *

I woke up burning hot and tore off my blankets. Looking at the time, I noticed it was almost 8:30 and panic rushed through my spine. Of course. On the first day of school, too.

"You need to hurry. You're going to be late!" My mom yelled at me in Vietnamese.

Thankfully, I got ready in time and was able to make it to school right before the first bell rang. I quickly made my way up the stairs and went straight to my World History class. I had found my classes beforehand during the weekend.

I looked around the room, and everyone seemed to be staring at me. Being an eyesore is a part of the new student experience I guess. I walked around the strangers but couldn't find a seat secluded from the others. Looking at my table partner, dread and annoyance filled my stomach. He looked like a model and he seemed to know it too. Definitely not someone I wanted to associate myself with. He had black well-kept hair and dark eyes. Think stereotypical Kpop star and that's him. Cutting off my thoughts, I heard a feminine voice say, "Yoo-hoo! Anybody there? Could you stop staring at my BOYFRIEND?!" Barf.

Looking up, I noticed a girl with long blonde hair. "Oh. Cool." I blankly stared at her.

"Hi, get out of my seat." She smiled sweetly.

I stood up, but the dude pulled me right down again. Geez. Did he want me to get beat up on my first day at this school?! He said, "Rebecca, just let the new girl be. She needs to associate herself with other people and she can't really do that with you sticking your nose up in her business." Popular guy using big words now, huh?

Sigh. I just wanted to quietly graduate and live my life.

Rebecca stared at me blankly, "I have a bad feeling about her, but fine."

She walked away and sat with her group of beautiful friends. I felt weird around them. They reminded me of someone I buried in a crevice of my mind... no... I pinched myself to prevent my mind from wandering.

Her boyfriend smiled at me and introduced himself, "Hey. My name's Amos. What's your name?".

"My name is Reina. I know it's pretty uncommon."

"Well, how many people do you see with the name 'Amos'" He laughed pleasantly.

My heart was pounding.

He continued the conversation, "So, where are you from?"

"California. What about you?" I regretted that last sentence right when I said it. 'What about you' Geez, I wanted the conversation to stop.

"I'm actually from here. The amazing state called 'Texas'"

Thankfully, the teacher started talking, "We have a new student here today! Stand up, Reina." Why the heck did she want me to stand up?

I stood up anyways and awkwardly smiled at everyone. "Hi."

"You may sit down now. I'm Mrs. Pearson, nice to meet you."

I did what she told me to do and everyone stared at me. Creepy much? It looked like they were trying to figure me out like I was a piece of a puzzle that they couldn't fit into the picture. I mean... I'm fine with not fitting in I want to be invisible.

Finally, the class ended and I continued my day, concentrating on my schoolwork. My goal was to become valedictorian to get more scholarships. I know. Extremely cliché, but I had to keep my standards high and make my mom proud. She already went through so much.