Renata

Every single day seemed to drone on in the same way. The classes were the same, as were the people who seemed oblivious of the relative pain that came with routine. Renata was sitting at the back of the English class, her slightly oversized hoodie providing what she felt was a shield from the endless idiots and the constant droning on. She was doodling on a piece of paper, not lifting her head up and definitely not talking to anyone.

"Ms Borrelli" Mr Peters said pointedly staring at her. She flinched, wishing she had an English last name so she wouldn't have to listen to people pronounce hers like they did. She looked up at him briefly, her fringe brushing her brows.

"Ms Borrelli!" This time the uninterested students looked back at her. Most of them turned back to whatever they were doing, a few curious eyes remained on her.

"Since you are so bored with my class why don't you leave?" Mr Peters asked glaring at her.

She stared back in disbelief but showed nothing. Everyone was constantly talking and ignoring him. She ignored him too but she hadn't made a single sound.

"I'm not bored." she said in a tone that said otherwise. She looked at him and glared back. He must have seen something there because he just carried on. She went back to doodling and saw some girls whisper something then giggle.

Same things, different days, she thought. It was the third last period but she decided she'd leave after English. Then the bell rang she picked up her backpack after throwing the piece of paper in.

She walked out of the school thinking about how lucky she was that she didn't really have friends at school and that no one really knew her. It made leaving possible. She walked down the street to the bus stop just as one was pulling up. She got in and sat by the window and put her headphones on. She did what she did every morning and afternoon, stared out the window. They passed by huge houses in the school's area and pleasant looking coffee places and boutiques. As the beautiful houses became more modest, the shops became more practical and eventually you were in a neighbourhood just a little way away from the main part of the city. The houses weren't anything like the ones by school. They were small and most of them looked like they had been around for ages, they were worn. There were more people on the streets though and the atmosphere was different. The bus stopped for the sixth time and Renata got off.

She put her hands in her pockets and started walking to her house, a block away. Here and there she greeted people with her slight smile. When she got home she jogged up the stairs and dug for her key, hoping that Mrs Laurie from next door wasn't home. She started unlocking the door when Mrs Laurie stood on her small porch and waved. She was a small woman in her early fifties. She was the friendly neighbour type and Renata could remember her bringing cookies and helping out since forever.

"You're home early." She said with a knowing smile.

"Hey  Mrs Laurie. I wasn't feeling well," Renata said waving as she walked in, "See you later."

She leaned on the door after closing it, letting out a sigh. Her mom would talk to her about skipping later. She put some music on and changed into sweat pants, discarding the slightly loose jeans. When she stood up from the bed her pale yellow walls seemed to be moving and she quickly sat down again, shutting her eyes. When she felt steadied she tried again and she was fine. The walls with a total of three posters were normal enough.

She walked to the blue and white tiled bathroom, not even noticing the cracked tiles anymore. The mirror stared at her and she looked back into her big brown eyes and the hair in her face. Her long dark hair was in a messy bun and after spotting the shadows under her eyes she quickly turned away. She went down stairs and sat on the big couch, debating whether or not to start on dinner. It was only 3 and her mom would be home at 7. She decided against it and started drifting into an uncomfortable sleep.