CHAPTER ELEVEN
The cool Wednesday morning of October 20th, woke me up like a slap in the face. I dreaded the day that awaited me, for no reason at all, but as it went on I realized why.
I should probably start with the first thing that went wrong. Being as tired as I was, I just wore a sweatshirt and jeans, my hair thrown up into a ponytail. My brother had been walking around more often, and managed to make himself and I a cup of hot coffee. Even though there was still some tension between us, we were finally talking again. After taking my first gulp, I set the mug back down on the table, waiting for it to cool.
Mark began talking about college, and after a few minutes, Salty jumped up on to my lap, then proceeded onto the table, knocking the hot beverage onto my legs in the process. I shouted in pain as a stinging sensation spread across my knees and thighs.
Mark shoved the cat off of the table and asked if I was alright, then grabbed the roll of paper towels. I felt bad, seeing him limp to get me something.
I quickly ran up to my bedroom, frantically searching for a new pair of pants. I had ten minutes to do this. Instead of jeans, this time I put on a pair of black leggings and ran downstairs, still pulling them up to my waist.
Next was the bus ride. Jen wasn't there. So I had no one to sit with in the back. That meant I would have to sit with the junior high kids, in the front. I cringed as I took a seat next to a seventh grade boy who for some reason, thought his boogers were fascinating.
"You can sit with me." A young blonde girl said from behind me. I turned, then smiled as if to thank her. She scooted her belongings over into one area, leaving enough space for me.
For most of the ride, we were silent. But when we got closer to the school, I finally decided to speak. "I'm Melanie." I introduced myself, feeling it was the right thing to do.
"I'm Amanda." Her braces showed as she grinned. "Do you want a piece of gum? It's sugar free." She offered, beginning to open the package.
"Sure."
"I like your hair by the way. The color is nice."
I almost blushed. "Thank you." I said, and began chewing the minty gum. Okay, that wasn't exactly bad. But there's more.
As I walked into History class, Mr. Green handed out a quiz that consisted of nine questions all about the Scientific Revolution. I stared blankly at the paper, my eyes widening. I didn't study. For at least ten minutes I sat there, deciding which letters I would circle.
I jumped as a loud clap entered my eardrums. The boy sitting next to me had dropped his textbook. My mind began to race. I was sick of this. I felt my hands become sweaty with anxiousness and I put down my pencil. I tried to focus on the quiz as bits of memories entered my brain. It had been going on like this for weeks, and as time went by, I began to remember more and more. Each time this happened, I'd have to force myself to think of something else.
"We still have people taking the quiz. Please keep it quiet." Mr. Green's voice interrupted my thoughts.
When I walked into the cafeteria, still anxious and stressed from earlier, Jen met up with me and we began walking to our table. Meg and a few of her friends looked our way and laughed loudly as we walked by.
"Really? Can you not be a jerk for once?" Jen said, stepping forward.
Meghan whipped around and shouted, "Well, trying to steal someone's boyfriend isn't exactly nice either."
"Get over yourself, Meg." I bravely responded with a look that told her I was serious.
Meg raised her eyebrows, then looked at Jen. "Got yourself a little protector?" She stood.
