Just Run Away

Chapter 1: New Year

The day had started just as anyone would of suspected it to, but today was also the first day of school sadly. The first day of many to where I would endure torment and harassment, the start to a whole new year of hell. 

I looked up at the ceiling and stared at my old Panic! At the Disco poster I had put on my ceiling about a year ago. I didn't want to get up, because getting up would be like accepting that it would happen. I looked over at my alarm clock and saw that if I got up now I would have about 45 minutes to get ready. Admitting defeat I rolled over and sat up on my bed. I rubbed my eyes and brushed my hair out of my face. My dirty blonde hair not staying in place and eventually falling back over my forehead. 

"Jake! You up?" I hear my dad yell from downstairs. 

"Yeah! Getting ready now!" I yell back and stand up. I pull off the shirt I fell asleep in last night and threw it in the laundry basket. I walk over to my closet and pick out a plain black t-shirt. I pull off my basketball shorts and throw on some skinny jeans I had lied out the night before. I put on my red vans and make sure I look decent in the mirror. My hair stood up at a strange angle and the acne had spread across my cheeks. I ran my hands through my hair trying to get it at a decent angle until giving up and pulling on my red beanie that matched my vans. I grabbed my backpack and my jacket before jogging down the stairs and seeing my mom making some eggs for my dad while he sat at the table reading the newspaper. 

Dad looked up upon hearing me enter the room and took in my look for the day. "No beanies on the first day of school, take it off."

I pulled off the beanie and shoved it in my bag. "Better?" I ask as I look to him for advice. He nods approvingly and stands up. He mumbles something about my hair and fixes it. 

"There. Perfect." He smiles, obviously proud of himself.  I look behind him to see if mom has even glanced towards me, nothing. The golden cross still hung on her neck almost as if she is flaunting it. Dad must see me look behind him because he pulls my shoulders causing me to jump back into reality. "Everything is going to be fine. As an early birthday gift I changed your name officially to Jake, no one will be calling you Jane anymore." 

This instantly brightens my mood and I give my dad a hug and say thank you a million times. He smiles and pats me on the shoulder. 

"Alright. You said you're gonna walk, and here take an apple. Be good, try to stay out of trouble. And tell Izzy I said hi!" He says as he pushes me out of the door. 

I laugh and readjust my backpack. I begin walking down the sidewalk when I hear a small shout come from behind me. I turn to see Izzy running down the street, her bag slung over her shoulders and shoes in her hand.

"Jake!! Wait up!" I hear. I stop walking and begin to walk towards her. "Whew! I am not in shape! I woke up late, then my dad had to talk to me about something. Not leaving me with much time to get ready!"

I laugh at her unpreparedness and wait for her to get her shoes on. I hand her my apple, knowing she hasn't eaten anything yet. She smiles and takes a bite.

"Everything go okay with your dad?" I ask nervously. Izzy had a bad history of her dad wanting to "talk" to her. Which normally ended up with her having a couple of new bruises.

"Yeah. It was fine. Just the usual, don't be stupid crap." She answered with a sad smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. 

I put my arm around her shoulders, leaning against her as she ate the apple.  She looked up at me, smiling. 

"Alright, enough of this sappy BS. Its the first day of a whole new school year! This might be the best year yet!" She yells as she spins in a circle, seeming like the happiest girl in the world.

"Oh hey, by the way my dad got my name officially changed! It was his early birthday gift for me." I stated as we neared the schools entrance. She turned around and had a huge smile on her face. She hugged me tight.

"Jake that's awesome!!" She mumbled into my jacket. 

I hugged her tightly for as long as I could, until she let go and pulled the two of us into school.

We made our way to our lockers and put the stuff we didn't need away. I grab my binder and make my way over to Izzy's locker. Before she sees me I see her talking to some new girl. The girl has purple hair that's pulled up into a bun. She's wearing skinny jeans and a Rick and Morty t-shirt.
'I hate that show' I think as I take in more pieces of the new girl.
She also had one of those gay pride bracelets on her wrist. And wore a simple pair of black converse.
I finally snapped out of my daze and approached Izzy and the strange girl.
"Hey Izz. Who's this?" I ask as I throw my arm over her shoulder.
"This is Jessica! She just moved here from California!" Izzy says excitedly. I raise my eyebrows and nod approvingly.
"Why'd you move?" I ask.
"My dad got some new job offer here." She says with a shrug. I nod understandingly and look down at Izzy, expecting her to say something. Instead I caught her staring at Jessica with a look that she had saved for people she thought were attractive. And me being the great best friend I am noticed this immediately.
"Well! As much as we would both love to stay and chit chat we have to get to homeroom. See you later!" I spoke quickly and waved to the girl.
Izzy snapped out of her daze and a blush spread across her face. I look down at her and point to the red spot.
"Someone's already got a crush." I state and laugh at her innocence.
"What! No I don't! We-we're just friends!" She studders and waves her hands around. A habit she has when she is trying to disprove someone.
"Really? The blushing and staring says otherwise." I state and raise my eyebrows knowingly.
"Ok, fine. I think she is cute as heck but that doesn't mean anything!!" She rambled as we made it to our shared homeroom class. We walked in the door and saw a seating chart on the large white board. Izzy was seated up in the front by the teachers desk, while I was forced in the back corner.
We're in for a long year...