Letters For Indie

~Chapter 6~

"Indie! Senior year! Wake up sweetheart!" I could hear Jewel cheerily chant through my door.

She pounded on the door a few times, and I jerked myself upwards and stared at the clock. Oh my god. I'm a senior. One more year.

"Give me a few minutes!" 

Kicking the heavenly comforters off, I walked over to the bathroom and slammed the door shut. After my morning rituals, I stripped down and hopped into the shower. 

For the next ten minutes, my mind wandered from everything that had occured in the last two days and I found myself in a peaceful abode, with lukewarm water trickling down my back. Gosh, that feels so good.

I hopped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a fluffy towel fresh out of the washing machine. My "first day of school outfit" consisted of my favorite salmon, collared dress with white lace, and some sandalwood colored flats from Forever 21.

I braided my hair into an intricate bun leaving a few strands lose near my eyes. Finally, I applied a delicate touch of lipgloss and eyeliner to top it off.

No need for lots of makeup today. It's not like I was trying to make an impression on anyone.

I was probably already branded as the girl who sashayed out of "The Peach Pit" with lettuce and ketchup up her bra.

Grabbing my leather sidebag and shutting the door, I descended the stairs to grab a bite of whatever Martin had cooked up. 

"Be patient honey. Indie's just in shock." 

I paused to listen to the obscure voices coming from the living room. I stepped behind the rail, and crouched down just enough to hide my small figure.

"Martin, why do I get the feeling that Indie doesn't like me?"

Jewel was seated next to my dad on the one leather couch they owned, with her head on his shoulder. He was stroking her hair, with one arm around her shoulders.

"She needs time. Everything is so new for her. Let's just give her some space for now."

"I'm just worried about her. She seems so...so depressed all the time."

"Jewel, she'll be OK. Let her go outside and meet some new people. I'm sure she'll get used to Hallowsbury and her new school once she settles down a bit more."

Oh so now he's playing the good guy role? I rolled my eyes, irritated at the fact that they both thought I was some troubled, distraught misfit. 

It's funny that my so-called father and his so-called fiancé can't even realize that they are my problem. 

Pacing downstairs, I walked into the kitchen, ignoring Martin and Jewel. With a freshly toasted bagel and soft cream cheese igniting sparks in my stomach, I was walking out the door.

"Indie, wait. I'll drop you off at school." 

I turned around to face Martin, an eager smile plastered on his face. 

"Dad, that's okay. I'm fine with taking the bus." No, more than fine. I'd be delighted.

"Indie. I've missed every single first day of school you've ever had. Please just let me drop my baby girl off, just this once. You can take the bus tomorrow." 

Was that actual regret I heard trailing in his voice? 

"Okay," I whispered. 

His face lit up with a thousant volts and he ran into the kitchen for his car keys. We stepped outside and the streets were dead silent, except for the breeze slapping against the tall palm trees every once in a while.

Before I knew it, we were cruising down the main road of Hallowsbury, which was lined with cute little boutiques and eateries.I settled down into the cushioned seats of Martin's newly polished Bentley.

He kept pestering me with questions about Marrowstone and pointless small talk, when all I wanted to do was sink into my seat and disappear.

"So, Indie, how do you like Hallowsbury Downtown? Cool, huh? You should check out some of those shops over there with Jewel sometime."

"Uh huh."

"She really wants to get to know you better."

"Uh huh."

"Well, maybe we can all go out for a celebratory first day of school dinner today?"

"Hm, ok."

To sum it up, it was probably one of the most awkward car rides I've ever been in.

We drove for about ten minutes, with thankfully only moderate traffic. The air was overly humid and sticky, and I felt scorching hot, even in my sleeveless dress and open toed shoes.

And then I saw it. Hallowsbury High School, Home of the Giant Otters. 

The school was a wide, unkempt white building. There was a lawn half the size of a football field out front, accomodating many scattered tables. A large billboard to the right read off upcoming events and home games. 

One of the exterior walls showed a spray-painted picture of a grinning otter wearing a green baseball cap. It read "Let's Go HHS Otters!"

"And this is your stop, Indie," Martin said patting me assuringly on the back. "I can't belive my daughter is all grown up."

I felt like gagging. 

"I"ll see you this evening, dad," I pushed open the car door and got out.

Within a few seconds, I was lost in a sea of students. To my right, a group of tanned guys were throwing around a football and laughing. 

A few boys were slapping eachother on the back and chanting something I couldn't make out.

To my left, some marching band kids were strumming instruments and harmonizing. I saw a group of giggling girls sporting mini skirts and tops that were horribly revealing. 

"These people are hysterical, " I thought to myself.

The hallways were long and crowded with students buzzing around from class to class. A few people eyed me and I even saw a few of them chuckle. They probably saw me get humiliated yesterday.

I glanced down at my schedule. First period was Marine Biology, Room 546.

So what if the majority of your high school senior class thinks you're a screw up? What have you got to lose Indie?