Different

Elaine Gray

I am different than other people. They see that, I know it. I feel all eyes on me as I walk into my Calculus class. I'm about to sit down but my math teacher, Mr. James, calls me up to the front. I sigh and he brings me into the hall. "Elaine, I wanted to discuss your test results..."

I look down, knowing what he is going to say. "Elaine, can you look up please?" I look up and stare at the wall beside him. "Elaine," he sighs, "Look into my eyes, please." I bite my lip and look into his eyes.

He looks into mine and the flashes come. He's in his classroom. It is dark outside, obviously after school. There is a knock on his door and he opens it. The person who is on the other side comes in, hiding an object behind their back. They talk and Mr. James realizes the person is hiding something. The hooded person takes the object, a rag and holds it to Mr. James' nose. He falls backward, his back slamming against the floor. Another person comes in, carrying who I know as Mr. James kids, Kimberly and Alec.

The flash ends and I fall backward, slamming against some lockers. I slide down them, tears running down my face. I see my classmates look at me quickly, before turning around and talking with the other students. This always happens after a vision. Mr. James kneels down next to me, a deep concern on his face, "Elaine?" He cups my face.

"Elaine, are you okay?" I breath in, close my eyes and nod my head slowly. I hate the headaches that come after visions, they hurt like heck.

Mr. James opens the door to his classroom, sticking just his head inside. I hear him tell his students to read a book and that he'll be right back. He shuts the door and kneels back down next to me. "Can you walk?"

I breath heavily and try to get up even though I know I can't right now. I fall back down instantly. Mr. James bites his lip, "Do you need to go to the nurses office?"

My eyes grow big, "No, I just didn't have breakfast today." His eyebrows furrow, he obviously doesn't believe me. "Come on."

He extends his arm and I take it. He pulls me up and puts his arm around me, to keep me from falling again. I lean on him as he brings me inside the classroom, into his office. I see some of the other kids snickering while my only friend, Devin looks worried.

Mr. James sets me on a small couch in his big office. "I'll have Devin get you some snacks out of the vending machine." He gets out his wallet and takes out $4.00. I feel bad that Mr. James is wasting his money on me. He walks out of his office, closing the door behind him.