The Other Side Of Fear[1]

Chapter 2

I pulled my bag further onto my shoulder and took a deep breath as I paced through the doors of Leiper Falls High. I strolled through the large main hall that was aligned all the way down with lockers and I did my best to keep my head down and my eyes to the floor in the hope that no one would notice me.

I could see from my peripheral vision that there was the odd glance my way but overall, no one really seemed to pay attention. I convinced myself to lift my head and I glanced around at my environment. Most of the students were too busy absorbed in their conversations or on their phones or hurrying to class. The other kids here surprised me slightly. Their dress sense was quite...normal and they looked pretty much the same as any other teenager my age should. Clearly, these students had access to social media and celebrity influencers that kept their fashion sense up to date. It was a shame the same couldn't be said for the older folks in town.

I pulled out my schedule and focused on following the map to my first class. I managed to find the room pretty easily, considering the school overall wasn't that large compared to my high school back in New York. I glanced through the window of my English class and noticed around half the class was present but no teacher yet. Glancing around slowly, I entered the room as most of them looked up at me and stared me up and down before glancing at their friends and mouthing whatever it was they were saying.

I wasn't sure what to do. I knew half the class hadn't arrived yet and I didn't know where to seat myself in case I took one belonging to someone. I pushed back my anxiety and reminded myself that these weirdos didn't intimidate me and I had nothing to feel nervous about.

'Where should I sit?' I asked abruptly.

The room turned silent and everyone literally did turn and stare at me all at once. I noticed several frowns and scowls as people clearly judged me for speaking so outright and most of them turned away and continued what they were doing, completely ignoring the question.

'You can sit with me,' a squeaky voice from the opposite side of the room spoke.

I glanced at a small, blonde girl sitting by the window beaming over at me. I heard a few groans and a few sniggers from the room and noticed a few eye rolls at the girl's offer. Clearly she wasn't well liked.

I shrugged to myself and made my way over to the desk, thankful that someone had actually just responded to me and not left me to stand there like an idiot. I threw my bag under the desk and sat down beside the girl.

'Hi, I'm Tiffany Cooper,' she smiled brightly.

Tiffany was a very smiley, chirpy girl with a short blonde ponytail slicked back away from her face and literally no make-up but her outfit took me by surprise as I noticed the short, red, tartan dress sported with black and white converse hi-tops. Her smile hadn't left her face as I approached her and sat down and I did my best to give her a smile back that didn't look like I would rather be anywhere else.

'Bethan Jones,' I nodded.

'Don't worry about these guys,' she gestured around the room. 'They're harmless.'

'Oh, I'm not worried,' I reassured her, flatly.

I took out my notebook and pen and focused on the clock as the rest of the class began to file in and eventually the teacher arrived.

'Okay guys settle please!' he called.

He moved to his desk and studied some paper before glancing around the room with a frown. Eventually his eyes locked on me.

'Bethan?' he asked.

I rolled my eyes and nodded.

'I won't embarrass you with an introduction,' he smirked. 'But welcome. I'm Mr Green.'