Stay Beautiful Keep It Ugly

Stay Beautiful Keep It Ugly: Chapter 1

Beep, beep, beep. I jumped at the loud and horrible noise from my alarm clock. I sluggishly rolled out of bed and turned the beeping noise off. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out my black ripped skinny jeans and a deep v-neck plain black shirt. Since I didn't know what New Jersey's weather was like in mid October, I pulled out my white Smashing Pumpkins zip out sweater and threw all my clothes on my bed.

It was my first day living with my dad in Belleville, New Jersey. I just moved here two days ago on Saturday morning after being hurried to pack up all my things from Tabor, Iowa. I was forced to move from the only place I'd knew my whole life to go live with my dad, because my mom died in a car crash. I was devastated when I was called down to the office to receive the news. I mean, I'm only a sophomore. I didn't want to lose my mom. Sadly, since I had no one to stay with in Iowa, I didn't stay long enough to be at my mother's funeral. I was forced to pack my things the day I found out my mother died, Friday, and get on a plane that night. I arrived in Belleville, New Jersey in mid afternoon of Saturday.

I had been shocked to learn that my dad was still alive. Even though Mom never said it, I always assumed my dad was dead, so when I was informed that I was going to go live with him, it was a nasty surprise. I didn't want to live with someone I'd never met before. But here I am, slipping on my clothes for the day in a house that my dad owned.

I walked over to the mirror to do my make up. I half hasurdly and very quickly threw on heavy black eyeliner, mascara, and black eyeshadow. I ran a brush threw my dark blonde with black tips, wavey hair and left it down, but grabbed a rubber band to put it up of it got too hot- again, I knew nothing about the weather here.

I heard soft knocks on my door.

"Tori? Toria, you awake?" My dad asked softly threw the door. I smiled slightly at my dad trying to wake me up in the morning- at least he was trying to be a good dad. I opened the door in response to his question.

"Morning, Joh- Dad," I told him. The police told me his name was John, so in my head that's what I called him, but I knew that was disrespectful, so I tried not to call him that to his face.

"Oh, you're up... I made toast... if you want any. I also have an apple...," John offered.

"Ah, thanks, but I don't usually eat in the mornings... sorry...," Talking to John was still really awkward. I don't usually eat at all. I have been dealing with anorexia and bulimia for years now, only eating when someone shoved food down my throat, and when I do eat, I usually throw it right back up. But no reason for John to know either if those things.

"Oh... okay, I understand. I'll, ah, I'll be down stairs in the living room if you need me," John said, making weak gestures to the stairs and the general area of where the living room was at.

"Okay, thanks J- Dad," I said to him as he walked back down stairs.

I grabbed my school bag, my black converses, and my iPod with my ear buds, and ran down the stairs. I walked over to the entrance to the living room where my dad was sitting on the couch watching the news. I stood there for an awkward moment before saying, "Ah, bye Dad. See you after school..." I turned on my heel and walked over to the door before he could say anything. I slipped on my shoes and threw my bag over my shoulder and ran out the door.

As soon as I was outside I started listening to Smashing Pumpkins. I kept my head low as I walked to my new high school that was about 7 blocks away, Belleville High. After about 2 blocks I watched two guys exit a house that was a few houses ahead of me. I slowed down so I would stay behind them. I didn't really want to talk to people because I'm very anti-social. I followed behind the two guys far enough behind to make it not seem I was a stalker or a threat.

We soon got to my new school, and my stomach flipped over, making me feel queasy. I hated new people that I wasn't familiar with yet. I walked into the school, instantly earning stares from everyone. I even saw some people, who all had the same shade of light blonde hair that was pencil straight, whisper while looking at me. My only guess about what they were gossiping about was me.

I walked around trying to find the office, but I eventually got lost. I walked up to a short, black haired kid with a nose piercing, a lip ring, arms full of tattoo, and a scorpion tattoo way too high on his neck.

"Um, excuse me, ah, could you show me where the main office is at?" I asked the boy. He looked me up and down, more like checked me out, before saying, "I'll show you where it's at," with a wink to follow. I blushed deeply and had to stifle a giggle at a dirty thought. He lead me threw the halls in silence before introducing himself, "I'm Frank. Frank Iero."

"Toria Summers, but call me Tori," I said. Frank nodded and asked, "Are you new here?"

"Yeah, I am. Why do you ask?" I reply sort of roughly. I asked him to show me where something was, not to play 20 questions!

"Just wanted to know, sorry! Just trying to be polite!" Frank said and stayed silent after that. Instantly, I felt guilty. I just was nervous about all the new people I had to be around. I watched as Frank consistently tapped and either his legs, backpack strapped, whatever was in arms reach. I wondered if that was do to anger that I caused, or if he was just hyper.

I watched him as he continued to tap on everything. Eventually we arrived at the main office.

"Here we are," Frank stopped a couple steps away from a wooden door that had a sign that read 'main office'.

"Thanks... And sorry for being rude... I'm just so nervous about being in a new school and all," I told him, wringing my hands.

"Don't sweat it. I remember my first day here, I was as nervous as shit. But, then again I started at the beginning of the school year, not today when everyone already knows everyone. And I can't really say it's gotten better because this is my first year at this school," Frank said, chuckling.

"Yeah, that makes me feel so much better," I stated sarcastically.

"Really? I'm glad I did my job then," Frank laughed with a shit eating grin on his face.

"So, are you a freshman, or did you more here too?" I asked opening the door. Frank followed me in and replied, "Freshman. But I'm in all advanced classes." I had a feeling he was boasting.

"Frankie, don't lie," The lady at the desk scolded him. I read her name tag- Ms. Iero.

"Sorry, Mom," Frank smiled sheepishly and blushed.

"He only has advanced math with his friend Mikey. What's your name, dear?" Ms. Iero asked me.

"Toria E. Summers," I told her. She clicked on a few things on the computer before I heard a printer going.

"Would you also like a map of the school?" She asked handing me my schedule.

"Uh...," I didn't answer because Frank answered for me.

"Nah, Mom, I'll show her around. Come on Tori!" Frank said grabbing my hand and rushing me away. As soon as the door clicked shut, Frank huffed, "That was embarrassing."

"No need to be embarrassed by your mom, Frank. Be happy you still have her," I gave him advice. He gave me a questioning look before snatching my schedule out of my hands.

"Hey, look! We have math together! Oh, and you have lunch with me too! That means you get to meet all the guys. And you have history with Ray. And art with Gerard. Yay!" Frank jumped up and down excitedly. For some reason, Frank reminded me of either an excited puppy, or a toddler with a sugar rush.

"Come on! Let's go!" Frank grabbed me by my elbow and I yelped.

"What's wrong?" Frank asked, losing his excitement for a moment.

"Just a bruise I have from falling down. I'm very clumsy," I told him. I hoped he believed my lie...