Eccentric ( On Hold)

Chapter 1

              Different. That's what people describe me as. But isn't everyone unique? Isn't that what makes us special? I guess not for me. Although different is the main term others use, it's not the only. They may use freak, abomination, etc. I know, very mature right. And, honestly, I don't know why people put labels on others and think it's funny but when they're under a label they get all butt-hurt about it. I guess that's how the world works. Like they say, ' An eye for an eye.' But what if the world goes blind?
                  Anyway, my name is Michael Revere. I'm seventeen years old, registered in Oliver High School in California. I have an after school job at ' Joe's Convenient Store.' And I'm top ten percent of all my classes. Although I have a high IQ, I'm nothing like the other guys my age. When dudes go to work out I go to the library to read, when guys are playing sports and picking up girls I'm at home studying. Even my appearance is nothing compared to the others. I have jet black hair that nearly turns invisible in the darkness, light grey eyes that are almost transparent, and a regular build with light tan skin. Some kids say I look more like a ghost than an actual person.
              Luckily, I have a friend that likes to stick by me. His name is Marcus, and like the rest, he's the opposite of me. Marcus is athletic with broad shoulders, muscular, tall, a perfect smile, and dark skinned. And unlike me Marcus is very popular especially with the girls. I don't blame them, he is a lovable guy with a great personality.
You know, I'm starting to believe that I'm a horrible excuse for a son. I don't think I deserve such a friend like Marcus, or being smart... Or being loved. I feel like I'm a mistake, just a worthless piece of trash people can throw away when they're down with me. But what if it's not the other persons fault, what if I'm just not good enough? I mean, everything About me seem to repel people. Maybe it is me. If only...
" Micky? Micky. Michael." I'm snapped out of a daydream and in a loud cafeteria. Shaking my head I think, ' High School, just what I need.'
" Michael, you gonna eat that?" Marcus sits across from me, pointing at my untouched pudding cup. I grimace and pass the cup over  to him. " Thanks." He says with gratitude. I shrug, inserting my earbuds then stare out of the window next to me. Looking out into the maze of cars, the ones with fancy design and tacky logos with badass wheels, dark clouds form above the school just waiting to throw a huge tantrum. It's supposed to rain this evening with winds up to twenty miles per hour, with 80% of precipitation, and a good chance of a thunderstorm. I remember the weather news cast announced that this morning. I have sublime memory. " What are you thinking about?" Marcus questions while stuffing his mouth full with chocolate pudding. Tearing my eyes away, I grab my tray and empty it into an already full trash can. " Nothing." I respond in a quiet voice. Marcus raises his eyebrow but says nothing. Instead, he scrapes the sides of the pudding cup then tossed it in the trash without even leaving his seat. ' Why does he have to be perfect at everything?' A group of football players walk by our table as two stay behind to brag on their M.V.P, Marcus. " Hey, cap. What's good." Number fourteen says, clapping Marcus on the back.
          I envy Marcus. He's always had people clapping for him, smile when they see him down the hallway, want to do stuff with him. I guess people love kids like Marcus. ' Must be nice.'
          I check my watch on my left wrist and decide that I have enough time to study before the bell rings. Before I am able to fish out my notes, I hear a small ruckus across the cafeteria. Peering over the sea of heads I notice a tall, muscular guy yelling at a freshman. He dumps the freshman's tray on the floor, everything grows quiet. " L-look, I d-don't want any t-trouble. I'll just l-leave." The freshman stutters. The burly one slams his tray against the table, making the other flinch. " Too late." As I listen more closely I recognize the voice. ' Alex.' The king of all jerks. Alex is an eighteen year old senior with bone crushing muscles, shaggy blood hair, ocean blue eyes, fair skin, and very exquisite bone structure. He's basically every girls dreamboat, and some guys too. He'd always use to pick on me whenever no one else would please him. He's always on the prowl like a lion; feeding off of our fear. I couldn't stand Alex threatening me, and I can't bare the sight of him teasing another. I stand up and make my way towards the two, " You son of a bitch." Alex turns his attention to me, a scowl stamped on his features, " What?"
I let my voice grow to where everyone can here me, " YOU DON'T TALK TO HIM THAT WAY!" All heads turn towards me and suddenly anxiety hits me. Alex steps in front of me, his blue eyes burning into my soul. " And what are you going to do about it," He shoves my chest, " Runt?" ' Should I insult him back? Will I be the one to put down this untamable beast, or should I surrender and let him win?' I take a deep breath, " Well, you being a dick won't make yours any bigger." The crowd laughs at this, and it feels good to finally stand up to Alex, but it doesn't feel so nice when he slaps me across the face. My back rams into a nearby table and almost tips it over. Alex lunges at me but Marcus intervenes. " Hey Alex, man, don't do this. He didn't mean anything by it." Alex pushes past him, his cold scowl resting on me, " Bullshit." He hovers over me, my heart beats out of my chest. Adrenaline course through my veins. Out of instinct, I ball up my fist and strike Alex's throat. I take this opportunity to gain my ground, but before anything else happens, I black out.
" Michael!" A voice rings in my head. It's dark, and yet I can feel my body moving and my hands feel sore. ' What's going on?' Fortunately light fills my eyes, and I can't believe what I'm doing. I'm on top of Alex, hitting him again and again as he lays there doing nothing. " Get off me!" He mumbled, " Please." I freeze, allowing for me to take in what the hell just happened. Lowering my fist, I glance at the ocean of bodies, all with their phones out and rolling. Suddenly I'm dragged off of Alex then, with the help of strong arms, pinned down. I resist against the grip. " Easy there kid, it's just me." I recognize that deep voice. I stop fighting and look over my shoulder. Officer Charles, Marcus' father. They look a lot like the other. Same broad shoulders, dark skin, friendly smile, but Marcus is taller. Turning back to Alex, whose face is swollen and bruised, I think to myself, ' How did I do that?' He rolls onto his side, covering his face as student record his defeat. Then the crowd around us breaks apart as the nurse and principal enter the scene. The nurse examines Alex then takes him to her office. Principal Keith dismisses the other students when the bells ring, " All of you get to class!" The crowd dispersed into the hallways, all stumbling and pushing each other. ' That's new.' I'm about to leave when the principal waves me forward, " Your not going anywhere Mr. Revere." I stand in place, fidgeting with the hem of my black sweater silently. Principal Keith sleeks his hair back and fixes his glasses, " I should expel you." I bow my head in response. " Do you have anything to say for yourself Mr. Revere?"
' No. Is it possible to regret what you did but still be happy about it?' Principal Keith shakes his and scoffs. " Get your belongings. You're suspended until further notice." He then turns on his heels and exits the cafeteria. ' I might as will be expelled.' I grab my backpack from under the table and march out of the cafeteria, scatterbrained and angry.
           I arrive at my locker and is greeted with an inappropriate drawing written in black sharpie. Sighing, I wipe it off with a rag I keep in my locker just for the occasion. " I'm surrounded by morons." I mumble to myself. I stuff my books and journals into my bag, eager to get out of this hell hole. I slam the locker shut then jump as my history teacher, Mrs. Smith, pops around from behind it. She smirks at me, " So you finally did something. Though I thought it would go a lot smoother."
" I don't," I start but she cuts me off. " Playing dumb won't do you any good. Students are talking about it in class. And it's going viral on the internet." Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sigh, ' Oh great.' Mrs. Smith scans my face with her warm brown eyes, " So what did Keith do?"
I look away, embarrassed, " I got suspended, maybe even expelled. It doesn't matter."
" Really," Was the only thing she said. I just shrug it off, " I think principal Keith just wants to get rid of me. Just like everybody else." I mumble the last part. Mrs. Smith shakes her head, " Not everyone, Michael."
As I step out into the cold rain, I tilt my head up and face the darkened sky. Then everything seems to stop all at once, as if time just froze. It feels like a dream; one that only I can make. As the water licks my skin in elaborate patterns, all of my anger, all of my frustration, and all of my worries are washed away. I wish things can stay like this forever. But they can't.
When I walk into Joe's Convenient Store, I see him at the register counting money. He glances up at me, " You're here early." He gets a better look at me and sigh heavily, " And you're soaking wet." Taking off my shoes, I waddle across the store and head for the restrooms. " I'll never understand why you like the rain so much." Joe says shutting the register, " I don't know if it's because I'm old, but I don't favor the cold and wet." I ring out as much water as I could out of my clothes, but that only seemed to make them colder. I guess I'll just have to suck it up and roll with it. I begin to restock the shelves. Placing every snack, bottle, and box in its designated shelf. I know it might sound boring but I love doing my job. This is the only thing I'm really good at, and for once nobody can take that away.
Hours pass and more boxes come in to be unpacked and put up, groceries need to be ordered, soda machine has to be fixed, and the bathrooms need to be cleaned thanks to me. I work endlessly but I never complain. Working here gives me the freedom to think without someone criticizing me. But I think I just feel more comfortable around Joe than anyone else I hang out with( well adult wise). Joe is around his sixties with grey thinning hair, olive skin, green eyes, and a cranky attitude. Though his voice is rough, his personality is gentle. And that's why I like him so much.
Soon the rain comes to a light mist with only a few stray rays of sunlight escaping the clouds. Leaning against the store window, my left hand on the cold glass, I stare up at the heavens but only to be let down as the golden rays vanish. ' No harm in wishful thinking, right?' I get back to work and replace the dinner meals and frozen pizzas. Next discarded the expired milk jugs. Then the bell in the front of the store chimes. " Hello ladies. What can I assist you on this evening?" I hear Joe greet. ' Must be some high schoolers looking for something to satisfy their sweet tooth.' I roll my eyes at the thought, ' Wouldn't be surprise if they even stole a piece or two.'  I hear two girls whispering close by and decide to eavesdrop. " Did you hear what happened at lunch today?" The girls voice has a slight hint of country, " Alex got the shit kicked out of him." I hear one of the girls take out their phone and played a video with people yelling in the background. ' Mrs. Smith was right.' Another girl says, " I did. And to think that freak had that in him. Who would have known that he would go and do something like this to someone like Alex." I frown at her choice of words. Even if I saved a kid, I'm still just a freak; another everyday shadow. 'I've heard enough of this conversation.' Picking up the empty storage box, I storm off to the back of the store and toss the box into the recycling bin. ' I think I better go home.' I head to the break room to gather my things, but when I open the door something smacks into it. I curse under my breath as I step into the room then freeze as I see what I just ran over. A girl lays on the floor with her hands covering her face. ' This day just gets better and better.'