Academy of Secrets

1

My head pounded as I began heading down the corridors that would lead me straight to the exit. Another week, almost gone and yet, it still felt like a Monday. At least the day was finally over. I had had this stinking headache for most of the day, and not even two pills of painkillers had eased the pain off.

I had come to the conclusion that it was due to two things: Stress and tiredness. Only having started college 2 weeks ago, I was certain it was affecting me. A whole new routine - my body just hadn't learnt to cope with it yet. Maybe it was due to the heat as well. Summer had come early in Manhattan.

Suddenly, I felt two hands grab hold of my shoulders. Startled, I turned around to face whoever thought it'd be amusing to creep up behind me - only to realise my best friend, Josie was standing there grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Hey Rhi!" she chirped, amused by my reaction.

"Don't do that, Josie!" I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest. " You know I hate people sneaking up on me! "

Josie has been my best friend for years. We met each other at some local park back when we were nine years old. She had been sat on the swing, alone, with an ice cream in her hand. Of course, I wasn't entirely focused on her to start with, I was busy getting taught how to do the monkey bars by my older brother, Chandler. When I did notice her from the corner of my eye, I instantly felt sorry for the girl. She looked so lonely sat there and I knew exactly how it felt to be lonely.

"Fancy getting an ice cream later, kiddo?" Chandler had asked me, pulling my attention from Josie. Of course, I had happily agreed - resuming my focus on learning to do the monkey bars safely. I was halfway across them, when I heard them. Following the sound of the voices, my eyes landed on two tall, bulky lads surrounding the girl on the swing. Names were being thrown, one pulled on her ponytail, while the other one sneered. I could tell she was trying her hardest not to cry, however the jerk that had yanked her hair, seized her ice cream, and chucked it over the gate. As if he had a right to do so. Only then did she burst into tears.

Anger sparked inside of me like a firecracker desperate to be free. I didn't waste time dwaddling, my hands loosened from the plastic, green bars, and as soon as my feet touched the ground, I marched right over to them. I hadn't even registered the panicked yelp that escaped my brother's lips as I let go of those bars.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" I had shouted, causing the sniggering to stop as the boys glanced me over. They had to be around 12 or 13 and up close, they were pretty disgusting. Sweat patches on their t-shirts clung to their skin, their hair, greasy and dirty.

"We aye doin' nothin' man," the first lad had claimed, as his mate was looking me up and down. I was an early developer and with his eyes crawling all over me, only added fuel to the fire.

I placed my hands on my hips. "I saw what you've been doing, and I think it's disgusting,"

The jerks nudged each other with smirks on their faces. "Feisty one, she is,"

Deep breath. "Leave her alone and get out of here," how I'd love to kick them in the shin!

"Or what?"

"Or... I'm gonna kick your butt," I had replied, my voice strong and steady. I had no idea what possessed me to blurt that out. There was no possible way I could take them on. They both erupted into laughter, angering me even more. Josie's eyes were wide and staring at me. Perhaps she thought so too. Or maybe she was scared for me. Who knows?

I don't really understand what happened next, but one minute I had been standing there with my hands on my hips, the next I was stood directly in front of the taller one, with blood on my closed fist. He was clutching his nose, as fresh blood spouted out like a water fountain. Shrieks were escaping from his mouth, and then they had both legged it out of the park. Never have I ever seen a quicker exit. Chandler, whom was heading towards us, had a look of awe plastered on his small, round face.