When I Met Polly

Chapter 8

"That's enough Leann!" Bellows Miss. We are currently outside the art gallery awaiting the rest of the coaches so we can go inside. Miss has just interrupted Leann who is laughing and mocking me along with Alex and a group of others. It's torture as these vultures tear at me, and all I can do is stutter a few "sorry"'s. I'm sorry for having a speech impediment, and hardly even managing to say a sentence. I'm sorry that you hate me and wrote insults on my locker. I'm sorry that you forced me to steal for you even though I really didn't want to. I know people say in these situations that you should ignore them, and don't let them see that your hurt. However that's sounds easier than it is, when someone's calling you a 'freak', a 'retard' it's hard to ignore them, to let yourself seem happy, because you can't. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never fail to hurt me.

The rest of the coaches arrive and after another check count we are allowed to enter the gallery.
"Right," says Miss Avern as everybody stands in the opening to the gallery. "You will work in partners today, I think it will fe easier if you just stayed in the partners you were in for the coach," she declares. I feel as if my heart has just stopped. Maybe Alex will refuse, I hope.
"No way!" Alex growls, and Miss Cadem gives him a warning look. "Why do I have to go with the retard? She can't even speak!" I close my eyes for a few seconds, attempting to tell myself that this is one nightmare, or that he was joking. I slowly open my eyes and Miss Avern looks down at me with concerned eyes.
"Abigail, are you alright?" She asks softly, and everyone's eyes are on me. I look up at her sheepishly. I then realise if I say I'm unwell then I may be able to miss this torturing trip. I shake my head.
"I-I d-do-don-don't-t ffeel wwwell," I lie. She gives me a sympathetic smile.
"What's the matter is it your head or stomach or what?" She inquires. I ponder which to choose from. I tap my head. She nods and gives me an inward smile.
"Okay, you can stay with me and we'll get some water," she suggests, I nod, and dare to look back at Alex who is staring at me intently with a rather confused expression. I quickly drop my gaze to my feet.
"Right then Alex you can join up with Viola and Lucy," Miss Cadem states. Alex let's out a sigh of frustration.
"I suppose their better than her! At least they can speak," He sighs, and obediently yet reluctantly walks over to them. Miss Cadem nods to Miss Avern who then walks me away from the crowd.
"We'll get some water," she states, I nod and follow her. I'm glad this is working and they believe I actually feel ill, however the reason I'm doing it still stings. She finds a fountain and takes a plastic cup and fills it up. I sip the cold liquid although I don't need it, I let it slide down my throat. "How are you feeling?" She asks. I pause and stutter.
"I-I-u-uh," I trail off, not sure whether to continue lying, or just stop. I'm pretty sure I'm off the hook from being Alex's partner but I don't want to stay here.
"You look better, there's more colour in your cheeks," she says. I nod slightly.
"Um-m y-yeah m-may-maybe," I agree. She smiles and walks away gesturing me to follow. She leads me back to the main gallery where my year is spilled over the gallery. Some are actually doing what their supposed to be doing and filling out the little paper booklet. However the majority are occupying the benches situated in the centre of the gallery, laughing and chatting not even giving the paintings a second glance. I spot Alex and Leann in one of the little huddles not doing anything. I must admit, I'm not really the biggest art enthusiast, but I don't mind gallery's too much. Miss walks over to the group of teachers who aren't even watching the students. I sigh and make my way over to a painting. It is a few paint splatters on a black background. I examine the booklet, and look back at the painting.
"Look whose back," hisses Leann in my ear making me jump in alarm.
"Aww did she get a little scare?" Mocks Alex, glaring at me. I try to just stare down at my booklet but it's no use. Someone rips the booklet from my grip and throws it across the hall. It's Stephanie.
"Your not actually doing the work are you?" She questions with a malicious look. I look down at the book, and then shake my head slightly. "Say something!" She orders. I look up at her with widened eyes.
"U-uh-um-m," I sound. Their glares are threatening.
"She said say something!" Growled Alex.
"I-I-I u-uh," I fumble around unsure of what to say.
"What? Are you too good to talk to us?" He hisses. I shake my head. "Then speak!" He growls and the others are laughing. I look down to the ground trying to ignore the barrier they have formed around me.
"S-so-sorry," I stutter weakly.
"Oh your sorry are you?" He hisses. "Sorry?" He repeats and Leann grabs me by the arm as does Stephanie.
"Let's go to the toilets!" Says Leann, they march me along with Alex following after. I try to scrabble out of their grip but it's no use. Their nails dig into my skin. I then see they are leading me to the toilets, but their the men's. Alex forcefully whacks the door open. The room is empty, they then push me into a cubicle and slam the door in my face. I scrabble at the door unsure of what their doing. I stare in disbelief at the door. I hear them on the other side doing something, I hear a squirting sound, then bounding of footsteps. The room is then silent, I breathe heavily. It is too late to ask if they're there, because I know they've gone. I pull at the cubicle door but it won't come open. I panic as I have no idea what to do. I then hear unfamiliar voices.
"Wonderful work out there," says a deep male voice.
"Indeed," agrees another male voice. I breath heavily and cradle my heaving chest. I pull at the door but it stays stuck. I pull out my phone, and look down at the screen and search my mind for an idea. I had no one to call who could be of assistance in this terrifying situation. I am too scared to yell out for help, I have no idea what to do. I listen for noise outside an hear the men leaving the room. I sigh with relief at least they didn't catch me in here. I look up at the walls, and around the cubicle. I then press my ear to the door once again to clarify no one is in here. I then jump up onto the top of the toilet and place my other foot onto the toilet paper container. However then my shoe loses grip and I fall back into the cubicle. I let out a little scream before thumping to the ground. And then it all goes dark.