Hit Like A Girl

2

The locker area was, by far, my favourite part of the school. Consisting of four long hallways, it opened out to a large courtyard in the middle with a small section of grass and a few benches. A place where students could chat and sit whilst they waited for their next class, or a quiet place where they wanted to study. Or, if you were an attention seeker and trouble-maker, the perfect stage in which to host a fight where everyone could watch. But it did have it's down-sides.

As of now, while I walked to my locker - small groups of students gossiped and chatted as I walked past.

I didn't fail to notice some of the uneasy glances and stares that were thrown in my direction. As usual I ignored them, I was used to it by now - though it didn't fail to make it any less irritating.

Reaching my locker, I finally looked down at the paper Mrs Griffens had handed me. My timetable was shit.

I had English first, straight of the block. I inwardly groaned and flung open my locker, stuffing my PE kit inside, and slammed it shut again. Some of the girls standing not too far away from me, flinched at the noise. Pathetic.

Swinging my rucksack back over my shoulder, I strode down the cream coloured hallways. Girls and boys alike, were instantly scurrying out of my way. Murmurs and whispers were at my back, and some of the freshmans even looked weary as I walked further into the school heading for the English department.

I ignored them all, I'd never cared what people thought about me. I wasn't about to start caring now.

Turns out I'd given myself quite a reputation over the years. But then again people dearly loved to talk and make a big fuss about everything. The truth was I liked being on my own, so I kept to myself.

Only some of the idiots in my classes thought it would be fun to screw with me, to tease the loner. Two of them ended up with a broken nose and the other with a dislocated shoulder. Of course the school couldn't do anything to intervene, because I'd waited until the three guys were off the school premises before I'd jumped them.

It was the last time anyone messed with me again.

But I'm not an entire monster. I don't act without reason, in fact I'd managed to gain a few friends last year and over the summer. The problem is, people don't want to get to know me. They hear rumors and stories, they see how intimidating they want me to be - and immediately expect the worst. If any of my old friends were still here, they would know that if anything I am loyal. But that's just it - all my old friends have gone.

Rounding the last corner that lead to my class room, I walked past a few lingering students that obviously had no worry about being late for their first class. Normally, I'd have felt the same - but despite my better judgement, Mrs Griffens's words had spurred me to be at least on time for my first lesson back.

I'd almost reached the familiar green door - when someone slammed into me from the adjoining hallway.

I heard a deep, OOMPH. Before I stumbled back, the shock and pain instantly igniting my temper.

I looked up and glared at the assailant, "Watch where you're going." I growled, conscious now that I'd caught the attention of the lingering students down the hall.

But I blinked when I finally registered who I'd bumped into. Tall, broad-shouldered. Those narrowed dark eyes, set jaw and short coffee brown hair. His feet set apart, his stance tense and ready for a fight.

I was glaring right at Jason Blake.

People had been talking about him all summer. He'd been transferred here to Starrimore because he got expelled from Devernton High for brawling. People have been saying that over the summer he's already slept with three girls from Starrimore and has become one of the members of The Renegades. Which was just the name of some stupid group of all the 'popular' and rebellious boys that were in 11th grade - apparently some things haven't changed since then.

And here he was, glaring at me like I'd done something wrong. He was the one who wasn't looking where he was going - no doubt lost, or skiving lessons.

I held my stare. I wasn't going to back down - no matter how tough he thought he was. Get me in the ring with him alone, and then we'd see who's tough.

"Bloody hell, calm down." His dark eyes flashed, his brows narrowing as he looked me up and down with distaste.

But I was already walking past him, hauling my rucksack further up my shoulder and ignoring the countless stares and murmurs that rippled along the corridor in my wake. But I didn't care.

Because now I was late for class.