Bullied: Isabella's Story

Chapter Three: The Arrival

This was it.
The time to say goodbye to everyone, everything - although I must admit the goodbyes weren't as painful as I'd predicted.

"Goodbye, Reneè!" I'd whispered, as I caught her in a tight embrace.

"Yeah. Bye. And all that," she'd replied, her voice monotone yet scornful.

I'd raced home that day, not bothering to catch the bus; I knew that they'd all be maliciously chatting away, the topic being myself.

***
Our cumbersome luggage had been a burden at the airport. I dragged my suitcase across the floor, despite my mother warning me not to. My eyes were indecisive on whether they should stay open - I wasn't entirely sure myself if I was going to collapse on the floor from exhaustion. Or boredom.

I decided against trying to revisit memories, as that was most unpleasant.

Though the plane only took, in total, four and a half hours to reach our destined location, I would've been fit for an asylum for the mentally insane. The only sight to be seen through my window was a constant blue, and the stench of old ladies' mints filled up my nostrils. I'd not slept a wink, whereas Mom and Dad snoozed the whole journey, oblivious to everyone around them.
My chin remained rested on my left hand, as I stared longingly into the almost glowing white clouds.

***
Switching arms every few moments, I lugged my case up to my bedroom, that I'd picked previously. The house was as perfect as I knew it would be - more even. My belongings were practically minuscule compared to the room - 'at least I'll have extra space', I reasoned with myself.

After arranging my room (once or twice over), my parents beckoned me down to them, and for once I flung myself from where I had been laying down, sprawled across the floor, and sprinted to them, where they were chuckling amongst themselves.

"That must be a record time," Mom mused sarcastically, "about ten millennia faster than usual."
Dad let out a low chuckle.

After a never-ending, though it seemed, pause, Dad broke the awkward silence.

"So... Are you looking forward to your new school tomorrow?"
I shrugged.
"I heard that they're very excited to see you and find out more about you," he beamed, "isn't that great?"

I shrugged yet again.

"C'mon, lighten up!"

I sighed deeply.

"Run along, now, then," Mom gestured with her hands, most likely for me to go back upstairs - out of her way.

I did so, and perched in the centre of my room, pondering. I pondered, and pondered, and pondered...

Until the pondering gradually blackened, and ceased, as the night grew older...