Fly Away

Chapter 4 - Tomato Head

"Oh look, the pathetic little bitch is back," sneered McKayla. She stood a few feet in front of me, a look of disgust on her face. 

Great. Just what I needed today.

I really don't like confrontation. Someone get me out of here, please.

I glared at her. "Can you leave me alone? I'm not in the mood."

One of McKayla's minions, Alyssa - I think, scrunched up her nose. "Eww, is that loser stink I smell? It must becoming from you," she spat at me.

I sighed and closed my locker softly, trying not to make too much noise. I already had more than enough attention drawn towards me.

Can I get a break from her annoying donkey for like, two seconds?

"Good to see you too, Mean Bees. Now that I've said hello, can we say our goodbyes?" I said sarcastically.

"Shut the fuck up, you're so annoying."

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't ask to talk to you. You're the one that walked up to me, I'm just trying to exist in peace."

"I was trying to exist in peace, too, but then you came along," McKayla hissed. 

I gave her a pitiful look, "I affect you that much? Didn't realize I was that influential."

She huffed in annoyance. "Listen, bitch. I'm going to tell you one more time, get your ugly ass out of my school."

Even though I tried to not take this girl seriously, her words still stung. They triggered memories from the past that I had so desperately tried to flee from.

Don't let her get to you, she's not worth it. She's nobody, she's just projecting, I chanted over and over in my head, slowly allowing the mental defense to build.

"I'm the ugly one? Not sure about that. It's still a shame that your cat eye still sucks acorn nuts. My offer for a tutorial still stands, you know."

She scoffed in disgust. "At least my face isn't as hideous as yours. I'd kill myself if I was ugly as you."

Ouch.

I hesitated, the simple phrase triggering a the latch to open on a box that I've tucked away inside my head in an attempt to forget.

Memories of my old school came storming back like a herd of buffalo, dragging the voices along with them.

"Kill yourself, ugly bitch."

"Why are you still alive?"

"Nobody wants you here."

"Die, you fucking waste of space!"

A punch to the face as I fell against something, hitting my head against cool hard metal. Someone kicked my ribs as I was slumped against the lockers, causing a sharp pain to shoot throughout my body.

"If Raven died, I'd throw a fucking party."

"I hope you cut yourself deep enough to bleed to death."

"Kill yourself, you're worthless."

"All you do is make our lives miserable! Do us a favor and kill yourself."

It felt like hours had gone by as the dark swarm was released, when in reality it had only been a couple seconds.

I took a deep breath, I tried to keep my thoughts at bay.

Breathe, Raven.

Due to the adrenaline rush from the confrontation and my developed habit of instinctively resorting to breathing meditation, the thoughts quickly passed. I shook my head, temporarily shaking the remaining memories out as well. Thankfully whirlwind of thoughts was short enough for people to not suspect I was different.