Panacea

One

Juliet stepped onto the school bus as the driver sneered and damn near closed the door on her. However, Juliet remained seemingly oblivious, tucking her hands in her sweatshirt pockets and walking down the aisle. As she floated down the center of the bus, the driver chuckled to herself.

Ms. Kipper had always hated Juliet, just like everyone else. She always told the other teachers how ugly Juliet was, the immature twit. She was not quite a show-stopper herself, as she was in dire need of a tummy tuck, with warts dotting her uneven skin. Her teeth were brown and half were missing.

A sixth grade boy put his foot out in front of the poor girl, yet without even looking down, Juliet briskly stepped over it. She acted as if she didn't even know it were there. All the children's gazes fell on Juliet as she made her way to the very back.

Just as she was about to sit down, Ms. Kipper stepped on the gas, throwing Juliet against the back wall of the bus. She fell with a loud thunk, one that made all the kids snicker maliciously. Juliet curled herself up in the seat, looking out the window. Tears dwelled threateningly in her eyes, but she would not cry. Juliet didn't cry.

Slowly, Juliet massaged her sore head that she had smacked against the cold metal.

Eli tentatively stepped onto the gum-smeared bright yellow torture chamber. Unfortunately, being not quite as witty as Juliet, he tripped over the same kid's foot who had attempted to trip his fellow victim. Just as the cruel incident took place, the bus began moving at what seemed like fifty miles above speed limit.

Eli lie face-down on the ground, several boys and girls nearby spat on him and kicked him. Hard. Juliet could not stand by and watch.

"Hey!" She stood, and everyone's heads snapped in her direction in unison, like a swarm of wasps challenging their nest's intruder. Juliet inhaled, as she was a little intimidated by the fact that she just might eff up her life right now. Screw that.

"Knock that shit off!" Juliet was impressed at her decent bully voice. The others moved back. Apparently they were too. She bent down and gently touched the boy's arm. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly, and he nodded in response, looking up at her. She put out her hand and he took it, helping himself up.

"Ooh, look at Eli the little bitch!" giggled an older boy, but he shut up when Juliet shot him a dark look.

Eli followed Juliet to the back of the bus and sat down beside her, while the rest of the bus sat silently in shock.

"Thanks," Eli said. He sounded a lot deeper than Juliet had anticipated. "People don't usually..." He trailed off, not knowing what to say after that.

"Right," Juliet replied, avoiding eye contact. She shifted awkwardly. "Well, nobody usually... reacts like that." Finally, she looked up with a sheepish smile. He had a head of dark, frizzy hair that was shorter on the sides. His enormous hazel eyes stared at her earnestly. Juliet quickly looked away at the same time he did.

Still, he asked, "Are you in eighth grade?" Juliet nodded in response. "Me too."

Juliet felt a little bit like a thief, like he was giving so much to her in this uncomfortable conversation and she gave him nothing back. Only nods.

"You were on the basketball team, right?" Juliet finally found something to say.

"Yeah. We sucked last year." Eli looked down. Juliet sighed. She tried. "But I'm gonna be the star player this year."

Juliet chuckled, and Eli looked hurt since he thought she was laughing at him. "Damn right you are."