Escaping Darkness

Something Weird Happened

I woke up on the bathroom floor, my head pounding and everything blurry. I got up, woozy and wobbly, and opened the door. I slowly tiptoed out, making sure I didn't let anyone know of my presence. John and Kelly were asleep on the couch which made it obvious not to disturb them, nor did I want to. I walked up the stairs, avoiding all the creaks that I had memorized so well. At the top, cigarettes were scattered about and my passed out mother was on the floor, in the middle of the mess with my bedroom door wide open. I gulped, being careful not to make too much noise as I slowly walked into my room. It was the same, minus my dresser being slightly out of place. I quickly changed my clothes, black being the most common color I have. After I got dressed, I grabbed my bag, slowly creeping down the stairs, now not caring if I woke anyone or not. I made it down safely, opened the door, and ran. I ran, not caring who saw me pass. I got to school, the air seeming to flee the inhales, begging for it to come into my lungs. I entered the school, looking left and right constantly, hoping no one would beat me up this time. I was wrong. All of a sudden I was thrown against the locker, the wind once again being knocked out of me. I looked up to see the entire football team once again looking down at me, Gabe holding me by the jacket. "Hello, Hope." his sick twisted grin stared at me as I could practically hear the venom his voice produced. Oh great, here we go again. "What now, Gabe? Can't you see I'm trying to get to class?" I said with a rude tone. I was done with their bullshit. He must have picked up on that as his twisted grin turned into a sour glare. He slammed me on the ground, hurting my already sore body even more, before his gang decided I was a good punching bag. They kicked me around, laughing as they noticed my winces and tears. After what felt like hours of being beaten up, Gabe finally picked me up, only to punch me right in the stomach. I coughed, tasting the familiar metallic taste of my own blood. I thought I was going to be knocked out, until I heard someone. "Hey!!" Everyone looked over, myself included. It was Clarity. What is she doing? She'll get herself killed!! She ran over, a sour glare I didn't know she could muster on her face. She freed me from Gabe's grasp, his glare turned fowl. "Get out of here, new girl, no one needs to help this useless bitch." She looked up at him, her glare cutting right into him as he glared back. I don't know what came over me, but I had enough of his bullshit. I tried to yell, but it only came out as a whisper. "Leave us alone, Gabe..." All he did was laugh. "You're going to get it double time tomorrow, skin suit." He spat right in my face and left, his group laughing with him. I was sitting up, unable to stand on my bruised and shaky legs. She knelt down next to me, concern all over her face. "You alright?" I looked at her like she had 3 heads. Why was she asking? No one asks! "I didn't want them to hurt you! Isn't that what friends do for each other?" I looked at her like she grew another head, confusion sweeping over me like a huge wave. Friends? I don't have any of those.. She reached her hand out, asking for mine. I hesitated, but accepted as she gently helped me up. "Why did you do that?" I asked. I had to know, why is she helping me? She looked at me confused; is it that hard of a question? "What do you mean? I couldn't just stand there and watch them torment you! It'd be inhuman to just let that happen without helping." She shouted, the people passing by looking at us strangely. "No one helps me, it's kinda become something people do..." I looked down, tears threatening to fall. I didn't want to face her after saying that, but it was the truth. No one ever did anything. I was the school's punching bag. Even though I didn't want to look her in the eye, she made me do it, scaring me a bit. What was she doing?? "I swear to you I will get everyone to stop bullying you, if it's the last thing I do!" She sounded completely serious. Is this a joke? I looked at her weird, and let out a sarcastic "ok" before looking away. She sighed, maybe finally seeing her idea was too stupid for reality. I couldn't help but smile at it. It was so dumb. She looked surprised at my smile, I mean, anyone would; I never smile. Ever. It must have been funny since she started giggling. A small little giggle like those preppy bitches on a drama show. I was confused as to why, was it that funny? It couldn't have been. Soon she started full on laughing, and I started giggling as well. I can giggle? What is this girl doing that's making me do anything but cry? I looked at her, her brown eyes sparkling like the sunlight I so rarely ever saw. I kept staring at her, studying every feature I could take in. Wavy brown hair, was a bit short but not too weird nonetheless. She had a large beige jacket on that was covered in buttons. Shorts that popular girls wear to show their asses off, but she had pink leggings on under them. A blue shirt that said 'Cute as a button!' that had some buttons and a sewing needle on it. She wore purple high tops and rainbow laces. She looked like she belonged in a cheesy 90's movie with how wacky her outfit was. She just needs some leg warmers and maybe a tie dye scrunchy on her wrist and it'd be perfect. It wasn't hard to come to terms with the fact that her outfit was definitely.. out there, to say the least. She must have noticed me looking at her, as she did the dorkiest thing ever and posed like a female action hero. Finger guns and all. I couldn't help but giggle. It was so dumb! Why did she even do that? She heard my giggling and laughed, probably at her own stupidity. I mean, who wouldn't? Soon, I heard something that usually meant I had a long day in a locker. The bell, that damn school bell that had made my life Hell for the past year and a half at this school. I jumped, not expecting to be outside of my locker for it. It felt so.. different. I saw Clarity freak out, probably not expecting it to ring at all. "Oh, no! I'm going to be late! Bye Hope, tell me if anyone bugs you!!" She called out as she sped off down the hallway. I sighed as I made my way to my first class; art. Hopefully I didn't get stopped on my way there.. hopefully..