Still Believe

Chapter 1: A Lost Cause

Man, I thought. Never heard that one before.

I rolled my eyes as the immature people next to me continued to tease me. I was used to it, but as I looked around at the white walls and sun hiding in the clouds, I really didn't like this place. Not one bit.

The smell of early mopped floors stayed, and the birds chirped outside happily, but the sounds of James and Wesley's armpit noises was really starting to get on my nerves.

"Hey, you wanna cut that out?" I snapped.

"Ooohhhh!" they cooed.

"Someone's getting brave." James laughed.

"Shut up." I said.

"We're just messing with you." Wesley complained.

"You're not funny, you know."

"Enough! Leslie, James and Wesley, stop that." our teacher yelled.

"She started it." Wesley said.

"Yeah, she's the one who started it." James agreed.

"I don't care. Turn around and pay attention."

Wesley, who sits behind me, kicked my seat. I turned around and gave him a nasty look as James snickered. He sat to the right of me. I kicked his seat and he raised his hand.

"Yes James?" the teacher sighed.

"Leslie kicked my chair."

"Wesley kicked mine first!" I said, crossing my arms and leaning back.

"That's it! I've had enough of you three. Ever since school started two months ago all three of you have caused trouble. I want all of you to go to the principal's office NOW."

I groaned. It's not that it was a big deal. I just hated these guys. A lot.

We all three got up and dragged our feet out the classroom. I heard James mumble, "She's a lost cause."

I ignored it as we silently walked to the principal's office. We took our seats and waited for our lecture.

"Now, what's going on with you three again?" the principal asked.

"Me and Wesley were making noises with our armpits when Leslie got tired of it and snapped at us. Then she kicked me chair."

"That's not how it happened!" I exclaimed. "Sir, they were teasing me and THEN they made armpit noises. I didn't want to hear it so I told them to stop and they made fun of me. Wesley kicked my chair. Then James started giggling so I kicked HIS chair. That's how it happened."

"However it happened, you ended up here. Why can't the three of you just get along?"

"Because Leslie has a bad attitude."

"No I don't! I just hate putting up with nonsense."

"James and Wesley, you two may go. But you both have detention for the rest of the week."

They got up and I heard them whispering about what was gonna happen to me as they left.

"Leslie," the principal said when they closed the door. He sighed. "I don't know what to do with you anymore. Detention never works."

I rolled my eyes. "It's their fault." I mumbled.

"It's not even them. In all of your classes you're failing. You're not the kid I remember coming in here last year."

"So? I've changed."

"But not in a positive way."

"Oh please, like I'm gonna even try that."

"Leslie, is there anything bothering you?" he asked.

"No!"

"I heard about your parents and your brother. Are you close to them?"

"I was close to my brother until he moved out."

"And how old is he?"

"Two years younger than me."

"I see. Who is he living with?"

"Who knows? It's a mystery to me."

"When did he move out?"

"I don't know, like two months ago?! Can you stop asking me stupid stuff?"

"I'm trying to find out what's going on in your head."

"It's none of your business."

"As your principal it is."

I had enough of this. "Can I go now?"

"Yes." he sighed. "But you have detention for the rest of the week, too. I'm letting you off with a warning, and next time you'll be in even bigger trouble.

"Thank goodness." I groaned, as I left the room.

"You're a lost cause, Leslie." I heard him mumble. Great, even my principal thinks so.

--

Detention was a drag, as always. James and Wesley were there throwing spitballs at each other most of the time. I sat there and tapped my fingers on the desk, staring at the clock. I was practically brain dead when some teenager knocked at the door.

The teacher watching us, who had fallen asleep, lifted his head up and got up and yawned. He opened the door to a simi-tall girl, with aboslutely beautiful red, curly hair. "Hi." she said. "I'm Alana. I'm here to volunteer?"

"Yes. Everyone, this is Alana. She's here to volunteer."

Alana walked in and took a seat at one of the empty desks. I laid my head down, but watched her situation herself. She didn't look like she'd graduated yet, but she was older than me. I rolled my eyes.

She got up and started talking to some of the other students, and they were polite but they didn't really care much. I lifted up my head. She saw me and sat next to me.

"Hi, what's your name?" she asked.

"Leslie." I said.

"It's very nice to meet you, Leslie. What grade are you in?"

"Sophomore."

"That's cool. How are your classes going?"

"How should I know?" I asked. "I don't give a care about that stuff."

"I don't know why. You seem like a very smart student."

"Are you making fun of me? I know I'm in detention but that doesn't mean I'm stupid--"

"Would you like a tutor?"