Author's Voice

Chapter 1- Laughing

     I'm completely surrounded by chaos, but this is normal. Sitting in the middle of a room surrounded by teenagers all chatting away with their friends while the only adult in the room sat lazily behind a desk. This is the normal chaos, but it's only first period. 

     High school is nothing but chaos every single day. The evil place with unfair judgement and social standards. Stress and Anxiety through all seven periods of the day for everyone, unless you're a popular kid. They don't care about anything, and I think the teachers don't even bother them anymore. They're the main source of the chaos. Fortunately for me, the period is almost over. 

     A sudden laugh erupted from somewhere close to me. Last time I checked, no one was sitting next to me, and there still wasn't anyone when I looked around. Who laughed? 

     All the popular kids in the back of the room migrated to the classroom door, which meant the bell was going to ring. As I packed up all my things and shoved the assignment into my bag, I mentally prepared myself for the even worse chaos that is the halls.

     Once the bell rang, everyone rushed out of the classroom. Teens flooded the hallways of the school like there was some sort of emergency. My main goal was to successfully get to my locker without running into anyone. 

     I stuck to the right side of the hall and did my best to go with the swarm of students until I could get a few halls down. It's only eight o'clock and everyone has so much energy. Bright hall light mixed with tall people yelling around me just to be heard would almost be enough to give me a headache if I wasn't used to it.

     When I finally manage to worm my way to my locker, Ryan was already waiting for me with his headphones on. He pulled the headphones down to his neck when he noticed me, but he still stayed silent.

     I sighed, "Hey Ryan. What's up?"

     He shrugged, "Not much. I heard there's a new kid in school, but the popular kids have already deemed them as weird."

     "That sucks. Only one period through the day and they're already considered a weird kid. Anyway, what're you doing after school?"

     "I don't have any plans later."

     "Lucky. I have to watch over Hazel later."

     "Do you want me to help?"

     "Nah. If you keep coming over I think she'll end up liking you better than me."

     Ryan chuckled, then asked, "Is your dad okay?"

     As we started walking to history class, I continued, "He's alright I think. His newest girlfriend isn't too bad. Hazel doesn't like her, so I guess it's a good thing Dad doesn't bring her to the house often."

     "I guess you're babysitting for a while then."

     "Yeah. It sucks, but at least she does her own thing at home. I get some free time."

      He chuckled, and we sat down in the middle row of seats. Back row was for popular kids, and the front row was for nerds. The rules of high school. 

     As usual, Sasha was one of the popular kids that would sit in the back of the room, and arrive just before the bell rings. Out of all the popular kids, she was the kindest and the one who puts the most effort into her classes. She still fails, but at least she tries.

     Once again, I could hear a loud laugh around me, but it was clearer this time. I looked around in search of the person, but a confused Ryan was the only one near me.

     "Are you okay Oscar?" He asked.

     "Did you hear someone laugh?"

     "No. It could've just been one of the popular kids. They're really loud."

     "It sounded like it was close to me."

     "How much sleep did you get last night?"

     "Probably not enough."

     "You should sleep during class then. I'll cover for you if the teacher sees."

     "Thanks."

     He nodded, and I laid my head down on my bag. I could hear another laugh, but I ignored it in a attempt to sleep.