Two Worms For The Birds

I

My faded, black-haired self sits alone near the side of the classroom, per usual. I'm just waiting for the time to pass. Just waiting for it to go by quicker. The exhaustion is overwhelming my body again. I get eight hours of sleep, exactly. My schedule is not the best, but I have to do something to hopefully manage my health. Of course, not every night do I receive eight hours of sleep, but I do three days out of the week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Sometimes, I try to obtain more because I need it.

I am not like you. I have shit that I must deal with and shit I must do. You'd understand if you knew... it. "Hey! You're doing ok, Jay?" A long, brown-headed girl interrupts. I have been staring at the clock for too long, I suppose. I make contact with her big, brown curious eyes. I just nod back at her, not even trying to give a response. She continues to stare for a moment before cracking a smile. "You got pretty eyes, girl. I got these dull brown ones," she points to her eyes, "they got nothing against yours." And then, she walks away.

You would think that receiving compliments is rewarding. Especially for something, you cannot control, but it really is annoying. It's even more annoying when you actually try to look ok for once, but it backfires because no one cares or pays attention.

The class is loud and crowded. Some are standing up, others are challenging themselves to ridiculous things, and much more. The teacher isn't even in the room to stop them, and I cannot stop them. I cannot draw attention to myself. The teacher is a coach, so he has coach duties to attend to. They shouldn't hire coaches as teachers if they aren't going to do anything except worry about their teams' uniforms. It is annoying and disrespectful to us students because we do not learn, and if we do not understand, we will fail in life.

Ding!Ding!Ding!

The bell rings. Everyone rushes out of the room to drive or ride the bus home. It's almost time. Finally.

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Sweat is running down my forehead, back, and chest. I have to run a mile throughout the entire gym. That is fourteen laps in total. My peers are breathing heavily and complaining. I understand. It's hard having to run for the first time. Luckily for me, I've been running for a while.

"Aerin!" I hear someone yell my name. I stop abruptly. My long, blonde hair sways as I do so. I turn around to see Kylie running up to me. Her large brown eyes shine, and her brown hair glides behind her. She has sweat flying off her face and onto the bleachers. She is one of my peers who actually tries her best. Not only in track but the school as well.

"Hey! What's up?" I ask the panting girl in front of me.

"I wanted to ask you something!"

"What?"

"Can you come over and spend the night? I'm having a sleepover, and I really would appreciate it if you came!"

This stuff breaks my heart. Rejection breaks my heart. I absolutely hate hurting others. I don't want to harm anyone! Mentally, physically, or emotionally. But... I have to. I can't come over tonight. Jay and I have something... to do.

"I'm really sorry, Kylie! I can't come over. I already have plans!" I say in my usual cheerful voice, but with sympathy lingering in my tone. I really am sorry. I HATE this. "Oh. Don't worry. It's ok! Maybe some other time?" Kylie's smile is not there anymore. It's gone. "Sure!" I say gladly. Kylie cracks a small, unwanted grin and turns to leave.

I hate to see the girl sulk. I am serious when I say that. Hurting others is just- "Aerin! Get over here." My coach yells loudly across the room. I quickly get over the others while uttering a word of apology. "Alright! Good job today. I expect better tomorrow. Ready team?" The coach yells. We all shout and cheer, then we divide out to go home. I pack my things up and head outside to wait for my mom to pick me up. During this, I realize something; it's almost time.