**Say What You Mean Out Loud**

~ O N E ~

May 24, 1989

"First day of school, you ready?"
Greyson Elliot rolled her eyes and grabbed her backpack from her older brother, Jared Elliot.

"Uh, why am I going to school? There's like, 3 weeks left."
Jared grabbed a brown paper bag from the fridge and tossed it to her. Grey grabbed it with one hand and shoved it in her bag.

"How else are you going to meet kids your age? We're the new kids on the block!" Jared smiled and ruffled her hair ruffle, making her wince.

"Ow!" Grey yelled dramatically.
"Now get out of here, I've got to go to work."

She groaned and slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Can you at least drive me to school?"

Jared smiled at his sister, and yanked his Chevy Chevette keys out of his pockets.
He was so proud of that ugly brown car, but if Grey didn't have to walk, than she wasn't complaining.

The two sibling went outside and got into the dirty vehicle in the driveway.
With a horrible sputter, the car started and Jared pulled out.

It was only a 13 minute drive to school, but Grey still thought it was better than walking.
She had a bike, but it broke when she crashed into a couple years ago.

Since then, it hasn't exactly been anyone's priority to get her a new bike. Also, they didn't have enough money to spare for a new bike, so she just got rides from her brother a lot.

After the short drive, Jared pulled up in front of the school and Greyson got out.
"Bye Jare!" She waved with a melancholy smile.
She hated school.

When she closed the door on the car, she immediately heard snickering and laughs behind her.
It was something she was used to by kids at school, but she was truly astounded this time.

I mean she's literally been at this school for 2 seconds and kids are already laughing?
That's got to be a new record or something.

She kept her head down while she walked towards the doors.
"How the hell did that thing drive?"
"It's pure shit!"
The voices cackled.

Grey glanced behind her and saw a group of 4 boys, blatantly insulting her brother's car.
The skinny one in the middle with the mullet winked at Grey, and she flipped him off.

Grey could tell from his pissed off expression, she had effed up.
Unfortunately, with her head still turned towards the bullies, she did not see the poor boy she was about to run straight into.

They collided, papers and pencils flying in every direction.
Great, Greyson though as her ass hit the ground. Less than a minute in and I've already pissed off multiple people.

"I'm sorry." She sighed, looking up at the kid she hit.
He was standing up, breathing unevenly and taking hits off an inhaler.

He looked at the pretty girl sitting on the ground with confusion. He had never seen her before.
"No it's okay, I-I thought you were Bowers."
He spoke really fast.

She raised an eyebrow while he helped her up, immediately wiping his hands on his shorts.
"Bowers?" She asked, picking up papers and handing them back to the boy.