Four Words

Chapter 2

It was finally the end of the first day of school. I had so many things to remember that I was beginning to have a headache. Ugh.  I stopped by my newly-assigned lcoker and unloaded a mountain of textbooks, workbooks and files inside, taking great pains to arrange them neatly according to subject, size and thickness. Some people might say that I have borderline OCD, but in truth I just like to be neat.

If you really want a clearer picture of me, well, let me add that I had even printed out a copy of my timetable in A5 size and stuck it to the inside of my locker door, plus a small mirror I had gotten from a thrift store (I have braces!). Not to forget, I even had this tiny plastic box in which I placed extra pens, pencils, correction tape and money.

Sounds weird? Simple explanation to this, and a good one too: I forget stuff. A lot. Especially on exam days, haha. Trust me, you don't want to go around begging for pens and pencils 5 minutes before the paper starts.

As I was about to shut my locker, I overheard someone talking to another. They were mocking one of their classmates, giggling about how ugly she looked in her oversized uniform and plain canvas shoes. I caught a glimpse of the textbooks one of the girls was carrying. 'Secondary 1 Science' stared back at me.

"Oh, you should have seen her this morning! The smartass way she answered Mrs Greene! Simply priceless!"

"Ohmygawd, I nearly burst a blood vessel trying to hold in my laughter! Who does she think she is, in her stupid canvas shoes and nerdy glasses? She needs a closet update!"

I slammed my locker shut, the bang resounding louder than I wanted to.

Stupid Sec Ones. First day of school and they're already picking on their own classmate! Have they no shame?!

The two Secondary Ones turned to look at me, and I found myself shouting out at them. "Hey Sec Ones! How about you talk about your classmate in front of her, not behind her back? It's only the first day and you're already judging people!"

One of the girls glared at me and with a 'Hmmph!', stormed off. Her friend beside her rolled her eyes and did the same.

I clenched my trembling fist until my knuckles turned white and my fingernails dug into my palm.  They needed to be taught a lesson for being so insensitive and judgemental...

They don't know what it's like...

Overcome by anger and memories I wanted so much to be locked away, I slammed my fist into my locker, a hint of a tear sprouting from the corner of my eye. I wiped it away with the back of my other hand, shoulders shaking from my effort not to cry. Why couldn't I just get over it?

"Damn it!" I hammered my fist into the lockers again. "Why can't I just let go?!"

I turned to leave and glimpsed someone standing behind me with the corner of my eye.

My form teacher.

Ms Nathalie.

Shit.