Life as an Underdog

Chapter 1

I put a fake smile on my face as a come around the corner to the COLA. I'm late again and everyone is already lined up. Everyone turns to look at me then looks away quickly; nobody wants to be associated with the outcast. My class line is full. No friend has saved me a seat. Nobody pats the ice cold concrete next to them urging me to sit down. I am forced to sit at the end of the line. I bring my knees to my chest begging myself not to cry despite my sadness. Teachers either give me glares or sympathetic looks. They have NO idea.

My hair is rushed and around my eyes there are bags but I still smile not letting them know that I secretly care. This is going to be a long day.

I make the walk towards the classroom following the teacher. I am at the front of the line, I am so far at the front I am almost treading on the backs of the teachers high heels. The rest of the class lags behind eager to get an extra 30 seconds more time to talk to their friends. I hang my head and watch a single tear drizzle it's way down my cheek.

The teacher, Miss Smith, unlocks the classroom and tells us to hang up our bags. I am the first to sit at my desk book and pencil case ready to learn. Miss Smith had to practically herd the others inside. I hear a laugh, not one that is filled with joy but a harsh sound that makes your teeth turn on edge. "She is such a loner!" Lola says as she passes me. "If you look at her you start to get an idea why!" One of the evil minions sniggers as they pass and she smiles as she sees the hurt look in my eyes. "She's right," I think. I have shoulder length red hair (not as in carrot but actual red), grey eyes and very pale skin. I am skinny as a twig but I eat normally. What can be beautiful about that?!

The lesson begins and instantly hate the curse of assigned seating. All through the lesson the snigger, call me names in exaggerated whispers and throw scrunched up paper at the back of my neck. All I really want to do is curl up in a ball and cry. I force myself to copy from the board and listen to the teacher but the names they call me ring in my ear making my mind crawl on its knees to beg for mercy. Although I hate this there is one thing I hate more...*bringggg* Break.

Please I beg Miss Smith "Keep me in! Please!" "Sorry, Robyn, Staff Meeting and you know the rules: no students in classrooms unaccompanied by an adult!" "But..." I sigh "never mind."

I make my way to the abusive arena they call "The Playground". I keep my head down and take slow, heavy steps. It's winter so naturally everyone has taken a spot in the sun, I can't my skin will burn. I head over to one of the tables in the shadow of the school building but Lola makes it there first. I turn around and head towards another table in half sun half shadow but one of Lola's minions, Isabella, race up to it with a gaggle of laughter. I realize there is not hope of me to get a table or a spot of grass that is in the shade. I walk over to the edge of the playground and lean my back up against the bricks. I drop my bag and sit on the freezing ash-felt sharp pebbles digging into my backside. I sit with my only company being my bag andI take out my recess, an apple, and start chewing. All I can taste is tears but I force myself to eat knowing I will regret it I don't. Almost every day is like this but if it isn't I am always alone. I finish my apple grab my bag and race to the toilets.

Nobody is in there, thank goodness, so I lock myself in the toilet cubical and put the toilet seat down. I sit, bring my knees up to my chest and I bawl.