Chipped Heart

Chapter 2:

Pity was everywhere I went. There was no escape from it, and all I wanted was for everyone to stop seeing me as the sad girl who was lost. If everyone simply forgot about me, that would make life ten times easier. I used to thrive in attention, and now the very thought of it made me nauseous. Time really does change people. Freshman and senior me were two different people, and it wasn't for the better.

Today had to be different though. My head might just explode if one more person asked me "are you okay?" whenever I walked past them. Nobody truly cares though because they always hold their breath, and hope the answer is "yes." Even if it were a lie, they want to feel good about themselves. Faking sad looks only to gossip about you in the cafeteria. No amount of music blasting in my headphones could block out their stares and silent whispers.

No one was going to stare at me in the halls. They will only glance at the so-called recovered girl who dug herself out of her depressed period. I didn't want to become popular again. Being normal was all I needed to survive school. One more year of living a lie. Piece of cake.

Class seemed to drag on today. Everyone was silent while taking notes, and Mrs. Wilson spoke in the same boring tone for the last thirty minutes. Suddenly, the door swung open. Each head turned towards the distraction grateful for something new to focus on. I looked up from my notebook to see a boy with shaggy hair. We locked eyes as he walked down the aisle to take the only available seat next to me.

I clicked my pen while trying to make conversation. "Are you following me?"

"No." Disbelief jokingly flickered across my face, but the idiot didn't get humor. "Get over yourself, sweetheart. I wouldn't really be following a girl whose stupid, shiny tesla gave me a bruise on my ribs." Before any words came out my mouth, he lifted his shirt for me to see.

"Oh!" The word slipped out as I pulled his shirt down. "You can't just flash people. What's wrong with you?!" Underneath his gray collared shirt, his abs were still visible. I took a deep breath while trying not to stare again.

A brown necklace hung around his neck which helped compliment his face. The hazel in his eyes seemed to shine more with it. I bit my lip while turning away from the playful smile. "Ethan and Jenna! Since you two seem awfully close, you will be paired up." We both started to complain about working with each other. My complaining was only a result of the disgusted sound he made at being my partner. Everyone in the class started giggling at our childish behavior while Mrs. Wilson shut us up.

Regardless if we liked it or not, we were going to have to work together for our history project on the US presidents. Complete bullshit.

Ethan walked down the hallway with me as I tried to make plans. "Come over tomorrow after school. We can start working on it than."

"Sure. That's cool." He tucked one piece of hair behind his ear while taking a step closer to me. "Sorry for exploding yesterday. It just...wasn't a good day."

I looked up at his eyes that was filled with so much sadness. Only someone with their own amount of baggage could feel that pain in someone else. That's the thing about sadness that isn't so bad. You become more aware of others, and can pick up their pain easier. "No need to apologize. I mean, you did get run over by my car." A forced chuckle comes out of my mouth, but it really sounds like a cough. Pretending to be happy is harder than before.

We looked at each other for a few seconds longer. Ethan forced a small laugh out while looking at how awkwardly I carried my books. "Come on. I'll walk you to your next class."

On the walk, time seemed to pass by without punching me in the chest. All of the sadness was still deep in me. Waiting for a moment of weakness to strike, but right now things weren't so bad. For a moment, I was normal. My past wasn't haunting me. When a smile came across my face, I seemed to mean it.

Mr. Jackson was yelling in the classroom, and I sighed outside of the class while looking at Ethan. "This man has a record for being an asshole. Two years ago, he yelled at a student so much they ended up moving schools." We looked inside the class at the teachers latest victim. Each time he talked, his white beard moved with him. "Surprised they haven't fired his ass yet."

"Let me know if he bothers you. I'll kick his ass." We both started to laugh at Ethan's horrible excuse for punches. Every time he swung another piece of hair got stuck in his face.

I moved it for him while biting my lip. "Thanks."

"Sure. Kicking ass is kind of my thing."

"Right. Well, I wasn't only talking about that." We received several stares, but chose to ignore them. "I needed a good laugh today. Thanks for making me feel...normal."

Ethan thought for a slight moment before nodding. Both of his hands were in his jeans which made him seem less intimidating. Despite the way he cowered over me, I didn't feel scared of how tall or beautiful he was.

A loud group of boys turned a corner with a few girls with them. The athletes aka the assholes. They riled each other up while walking down the halls. People unconsciously moved out of their way out of fear of a fight. Anyone they've ever fought has been beat horribly.

Of course my brother was leading the pack. His black chopped hair framed his face even more, and I couldn't help but to admit that he was more beautiful. Even when I was popular, Trevor was known for his looks. People said I was pretty too, but it didn't match up to his. Anyone in the school was his.

The only similarity between us what our oval shaped head, and our mocha skin color. We didn't look anything alike. Some people didn't believe that we were twins until they seen baby pictures. I like to think that we were both beautiful, but just in our own way. That was far from the truth though. Trevor outshined me without a doubt especially since I've become a pitied person.

"Yo, E dog!" One of the jocks called out to Ethan as they all walked over to us.

I rolled my eyes, and got ready for whatever these idiots were going to say. Trevor looked between the two of us with a suspicious stare, and tried to communicate with me through looks. "Ethan, we got coach to excuse us for last period. Come on. We have to practice." My brother and I continued to stare at one another, but we'd gotten good at hiding our dislike for the other.

"You're a football player?" Shock filled my voice as I placed a hand on Ethan's arm. Trevor quickly flickered down to my action while grabbing his teammate.

"Yeah. He's apart of the football team."

I rolled my eyes while grabbing Ethan again. He was much stronger than me, so I didn't really move him at all. "You should really let someone speak up for themselves."

Our final bell rung, and I sighed. "Better get to class, little one." Trevor ruffled my hair causing me to try to swat his hands away.

"Just because you were born a few minutes before me doesn't mean you can call me those dumb nicknames!" None of the guys paid attention to my comment, and continued to walk outside. People around me looked weirdly at the sudden change in my mood.

I walked into the class while Mr. Jackson complained about me being late. Today hasn't been like the others, and Ethan was only reason for that.