Over and Over, Again and Again

3 ~

I arrived at home after school on Tuesday. Of course, I had awoken at Scott's house and gone to school from there.

"Why on earth did you go to that boy's house without telling me?" My mother screamed when I got through the door. Even though she tried to look angry, I could tell that she was relieved to see me.

I ignored her question and scooted past her. I made my way into my bedroom and sighed. A minute later there was a banging on my door, but I didn't answer it. Soon, she gave up.

I ruffled through my school bag and picked out my Chemistry book. I had homework to do, and despite hating the subject, I still had to do the assignment. I opened the book to the next clean page. There was a loose sheet of paper between the pages, so quickly I glanced at what piece of work it was. But this was no piece of work. On the sheet was very little, but enough to give me a little shiver.

'You won't be around much longer. Do you know that? I am watching everything you do.'

"Oh for goodness sake." I said out loud with a sigh of annoyance. Someone was at it again. I couldn't believe that people could hate me so much that they felt the need to put scary notes in my school books. They couldn't scare me though. It was ever so slightly funny that they really thought this would make me afraid.

The time came to eleven at night, and I got myself tucked into my duvet. I hadn't left my bedroom since I had arrived home, not even for tea. I hadn't wanted tea, I was fine with a left over kiwi from my school bag. I lay on my back, staring up at the ceiling, getting lost in my own thoughts.

I breathed loud enough so I could hear myself. "My bedroom is weirdly echoey today." I thought to myself. I could hear my breath moving around the walls. I stopped breathing for a second, but still the echo continued on. Was there someone else breathing? I could definitely hear breathing. It was just in my mind. There was no one there.

The sound of someone breathing in and out heavily, haunted me for the rest of the night. However, awake I lay, listening to the almost calming and rhythmical sound. I kind of expected this outcome; I was already losing my mind. Peacefully, I drifted off to sleep.

By morning, the sound had dimolished, and could no longer be heard.

**********

Another week past, and still I continued to hear the unusual sounds of breathing. Once again, I pulled the duvet over myself as I lay staring at the ceiling.

"Rosie."

Was that my mum talking to me through the door?

"Rosie."

There it was again. No, my mum doesn't sound like that.

"Rosie."

The same voice, just in a low whisper, spoke again in the same, persuasive tone.

"Rosie."

"What do you want?!" I shouted angrily, annoyed with the repetition.

There was no reply. Not a sound could be heard. Was I going insane? I shook my head violently and slumped into the pillow.

The floorboards creaked ever so quietly. Only a tiny sound, but loud enough for me to sit up and gaze through the darkness of my room. Nothing. There was nothing there. I shrugged, sighed, and lay back down.

**********

Every night for the next week or so, I heard some form of disturbing and unexpected sound. It was either the sound of floorboards squeaking, heavy breathing, or sudden jerks of the door being slammed violently. I heard my name, over and over, again and again, it was like someone was calling me while I lay down.

I was going completely mental. No wonder my brain was disfunctioning, I had had enough punches and whacks in the head in my time.

It was a misty March morning; I awoke right on the time I was supposed to. I rose from my bed and automatically began preparing for school. I had done the same routine on school morning for years now, and it never changed.

I scanned over my timetable for the upcoming day before I left the house; I did it every time. Today, in my opinion, was the best day on the whole timetable.

Lesson 1 - English

Lesson 2 - Art

Lesson 3 - Biology

Lesson 4 - PE

Lesson 5 - History

Lesson 6 - Music

Out of all the lessons, PE had to be the worst. I disliked the team events, even though I really enjoyed sports. But the main reason I didn't like PE was because of Grace. She was in my class, and if I ever had to play against her in anything, she would attempt to murder me.

I walked as confidently as I could into the school building before the bell. I entered the form room, once again just a few heads turned to look at me. I sat quietly at my desk and pulled out my stuff. The form tutor came in just minutes later, which was relieving, because I knew no one would bully me if she was there. I didn't really want to be saved by a teacher, but it was the only way.

Grace sauntered into the room long after the bell rang. She was accompanied by her worshippers.

"Girls, where have you been?" The tutor asked angrily.

"Oh, just out." Grace replied casually, taking her seat. The tutor opened her mouth to speak again, but closed it and sighed. Grace giggled ever so quietly. What a spoilt and horrible child. She had the teachers all sussed out.

The school day came to an end, and it had to be one of the worst yet. Not only did I get a D on my biology exam, but Grace decided to trip me over on the field whilst playing football, causing me to sprain my ankle. Of course, she acted all innocently yet sarcastically during her mock apology and explanation to the teacher.

I had staggered tiredly during school with the painful sprain. My parents couldn't be bothered to bring me home early, and I refused to use the crutches the nurse offered me. I didn't want any attention.

I hated the attention.

Not that I had much anyway.

I slowly began to step of the bus. "Get moving, punk!" Some muscly dude bellowed behind me.

That's it you motherfucker, I'm a fucking 'punk'.

I ignored his rude remarks he was saying under his breath and steadily hopped to the ground.

Wow, my ankle did hurt a lot.

I didn't want to go home, so instead I turned left at the end of the street and headed down the thin, overgrown track. Trees cowered over the road, blocking out the sunlight and the warmth. The stomping of my boots was loud.

I stepped across the short stream and followed the pathway into the forest. The trees stood immensely high; birds chirped from their nests which were resting in the branches.

Hobbling, I finally found the clearing.

My clearing.

I sat carefully down on the large flat stone and breathed in the musky air.

The hedges around me rustled violently, though there was no wind.

Eh, just the wildlife.

It rustled again. Surely the wildlife aren't that vicious?