What I'm Not

Chapter 22

I sat down at the table and closed my eyes. "Takara the zombie." So stupid. Who would believe that?

I might.

I know his heart stopped when he was asleep. I couldn't have been mistaken.

"Hey!" I opened my eyes to see three students. One boy, two girls. The boy had spiked black hair, the girls had matching brown hair with white streaks tied into a ponytail. "We're looking for Takara Katzuko. We heard he eats here."

"Why do you want him," I asked. "I don't think he knows you."

"That friggin zombie is going to get expelled for getting into a fight with me," the boy said as he puffed out his chest.

I jumped from my seat and ran toward Takara's lunch line. I spotted him in the back of the line with people pushing to get away from him. I ran to him and people screeched for me to get away.

"Takara, come with me," I begged.

He nodded and put his ID away. I started leading him to the back of the school but a group of kids were waiting there popping their knuckles. I pulled him toward janitor's closet and locked the door.

"Takara, did you read the latest issue of PHN?" I asked.

"No. Why?"

Someone kicked the door. "It was an issue about how you are a zombie and why you should be kicked out of school."

"So, is that why people are avoiding me?"

"Yes. They are planning to fight you so you get expelled."

He grinned. "Lets see."

He opened the door and countless hands grabbed his shirt and pulled him out. He was quickly surrounded and the beatings began. Security rushed in and tried to break it up. I pushed my way through and found Takara lying on the ground. I picked him up and dragged him to the nurse's office.

We were sent home.