Once

Chapter One - Dare

I was, as always, waiting for Scarlett to get out of the bathroom. Thinking about the first day of the eleventh grade, I almost heard my mum's annoying voice "Just pay attention at your clothes, and make-up. You are more beautiful when the others see you."

And I couldn't disagree more. I don't like people to stare at me and I can't even stand make-up. But mum didn't know all of those and maybe she will never know, since she is not present in my life. She lived with us-Scarlett and I-until Scarlett set her free, which means kind of adopted me, when I was 11 years old. Scar is the best sister I could ever ask for and I am still not sure that I thank her as much as I should.

Actually, I know I don't thank her, but I do my best to make her proud of me.

Sometimes, I can, but sometimes I simply can't.

And it is so annoying.

So, as I was waiting her to get out of the bathroom, I decided to fill my bag with things I needed in the first day: a notebook, some pencils and a bottle of water. Hearing the sound of the door, I went to the bathroom and I started my day.

Scarlett left earlier, so she couldn't drive me to school, but that was fine, because I don't live far away from the high school. On the way to high school, I just listened to music, paying so much attention not to sing at the same time with the singers. Beside the awkwardness, I don't think I've got the best voice. Or, at least, my mum used to say that.

"Mel, could you please just stop for one sec?" my sister stands up from the bed. "I need to answer this call."

"Sure, Scar" I say naturally.

I'm used to it already. Scarlett is the one who brings money in the house. I wasn't sixteen before this August and I haven't found any job yet. Of course, Scar would never let me work. "I'm an adult and you are still a teenager. You have got SO much time to work after this."

"I'm back", my favourite red head shows in the door. "So, you were leaving after me" she says and I smile.

"Yeah, I was leaving and I arrived at high school a bit earlier."

Arrived at school, I went to sit down in a corner desk, but someone took the place before me. I chose another sit-the third desk from the left side-and settle. The music was still filling my mind when I barely realized that the professor entered in the classroom.

The professor was new. He wasn't tall or short, but he was very slim and the mustache wasn't cut as it should have been. His eyes seemed to be criticizing each one of us. I definitely didn't like him.

"Children" he began with a bored but arogant voice, "I'm your new teacher. Call me Mister Jackson, no other way accepted", he taught us and I was so happy I didn't choose a front sit, as I almost smiled. I didn't want to see his creepy face everyday.

"You will sit as I tell you" he smiled and everyone sighed. "So, alphabetical, please".

I made some arrangements and it meant that I was going to sit next to Caleb Dodge. Don't understand me wrong, the guy is nice, but I wanted to stay alone.

A thought blew up into my mind: "He doesn't say a word, he doesn't pay attention, he doesn't do anything. He won't care about me so I can deal with it."

"Melody Dawson and Caleb Dodge. The second desks in the middle."

Caleb stood up and went there. When Mister Jackie saw him, he whispered: "The bad boy, checked.". When he saw me, he muttered "Red head, checked". The blood was boiling into my veins. I like being a red head, and the unicity of it and stuff, but I hate people talking about it. Guys, everyone has a story and you have either to listen to it or get over it. That's all about.