Inside and Out

Chapter 1

Unlike many teens and "normal" girls my age, the sound of my alarm clock brings a smile to my face.

The corners of my mouth twitch upward into a grin as I reach over to press the snooze button on the blaring, digital alarm clock. My legs gently swung over to the side of my bed as my feet pressed against the cold floor and I force my skinny body off my bed. Standing on the pads of my toes, I lift my arms in an awakening stretch, landing with a big sigh. It was going to be a good day and I could tell already. 

I pick up the outfit I chose for today from my desk and go to the bathroom, looking in the mirror to be greeted by a snarling, menacing monster ready to pounce: my hair. With a growl, hair spray, a flat iron, and a brush, I slay the ferocious monster into something less wild, my hair flowing down right over my right shoulder and down past my breast, ending in fairly beautiful, ginger curls. I turn on the water to scrub grime off my face before applying some lip gloss, eyeliner, and a little bit of mascara to make my shamrock green eyes pop. I put my rectangular, black wire glasses on my face, perching them upon my nose and blinking, clearly looking into my reflection with a smile.

After tending to hygiene, I get my clothes on: a white, button up dress shirt and a navy blue, cotton vest. I gently tie my powder blue bow tie and smile before pulling on some tan khakis to finish off the outfit. I sprayed the tiniest bit of citrus body spray on before leaving the bathroom just like I found it. 

As I get my cell and simply tanned and obviously used messenger bag from my room, I make sure I don't forget any books or important notes I may need for school today. I leave my room, equipped and satisfied, and slide on my black flats before going out the quiet Waters' household. I quickly make my way to my silver Volkswagen beetle, unlocking the doors and throwing my things in so I can make it to Starbucks before going to school. 

"Who is this weird nerd girl that wakes up early and writes notes," you ask?

My name is Lea Waters. I am seventeen years old and go to Graham Bell High with the top grades in every one of my class. I'm the student librarian and spend most of my time with books and, truthfully, I don't have many friends at all. It's okay, though. I love my life even though I go down many bumpy roads, it's best to stay positive. 

* + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + *

School went by as quickly as it always did. I got almost half more of my notebooks full with material from all my classes. I need to remember to stop by Staples to get some more. I did bring my wallet today, I believe...

"Lea!"

I was jolted out of my thoughts by a cheerful summoning by my friend, Gretchen. At our table, we call her Gretel because she always wears her pretty brown hair in two French braids ribboned up with sweet baby blue ribbons. Her blue eyes were full of happiness as she motioned me over to our table, displaying that she saved me a seat right next to her. I get out of the lunch line with milk and head over, ignoring the snickers and taunts of the jocks and cheerleaders as I went before sitting with the group.

Our group was small but pleasurable with only five of us here. Of course there was Gretel and I, and then there was Derek, a shy sophomore that barely talks in public due to his public speaking phobia, Hazel, the cute, yet reserved sophomore that was the down-to-earth one of the bunch. Finally, there was Freddie, a cocky, rude at times junior that spent all his time gaming and online.

As I settled, I smiled nicely to my friends politely. "Good afternoon, everyone," I say with a little wave. They return the acknowledgement before Gretel piped up with a smile. "Aren't you fazed by the jocks and the Cheeries?" She peeks over my shoulder at them before visibly shuddering with disgust. "They give me the heebeegeebeeies." I laugh and shake my head before gingerly unpacking my plain blue lunch bag. Today, I had a salami sandwich, a container of broccoli with ranch dressing, and a brownie. "No, not really. If you ignore them, they don't mess with you much, Gretel."

"I wish it came to me that easy." She sighs and looks at her own lunch before changing the subject. "So, you are going to be in the library after school again today, right?" After I reply with a nod, she continues, eating a bit of her wheat peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "Well, how about you ask your dad if you can come with me to the bookstore tomorrow? I need to get some textbooks and stuff for studying." 

I don't think I had anything to do after school tomorrow...

"I'll ask, but I'm sure I can come." She smiles and nods before we continue eating our food quickly; it was road kill trying to get out of the cafeteria when the bell rings.

* + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * +  *

By the end of the day, I was ecstatic to get out of class and go to the library. The quiet room of knowledge was a place I could sleep and relax, a sanctuary for me. It was amazing. I pushed open the double doors and smile a bit to the librarian, Mrs. Harolds, before she stands and gets her bag to leave. I was usually left until closing time, which is around seven. She smiles and bids me a nice day before hobbling out of the library. 

I watch her leave before going behind her desk and plopping into the chair. Ah... I can smell the books, it's so wonderful... After resting with my eyes closed, I sit up and unpack my bags, getting to my homework now at the beginning of the shift before people start coming in. I quickly finish the remaining AP French and AP World History I had in the first hour, greeting students as they come in and go out, before sighing and standing.

It's time to work.

Pushing through the library with a cart full of returned books, I look for their places before slipping them in their designated spaces. I smile as my fingertips brush against the spines of many, many books before getting into the Fiction section. "Hey," I quietly yet sternly hiss at the couple making out in a tucked away aisle. "No intimate touching and sensual activity in the library!" They look at me with irritated expressions before the jock pushes past me, dragging the bouncy haired blonde close behind as she giggled quietly.

I continue putting away books with a sigh, turning to leave after finishing in that section, finding myself bumping straight into someone. I immediately jump back a bit and push my glasses up, blinking a bit. "I'm so sorry about..." I can feel my cheeks getting a bit hot with embarrassment as my eyes scan the equally startled female standing before me. She flashed a cute, yet sexy grin to me before speaking quietly in a lovely voice.

"It's no problem, cupcake~"