Lost • Rewrite

Chapter One

Warnings
- Bullying
- Suicidal thoughts/actions
- Self Harm

You are not alone. You are loved. You are strong. Please don't suffer in silence.
1-800-273-8255

    The rain was sliding down the window, blurring the outside world from my watchful eyes, but if I looked close enough the faint colors formed messy outlines of the school's garden, my favored hiding place. Today, though, I would have to seek refuge elsewhere. Curse the weather, always ruining my perfectly good schedule with its unpredictable ways.
    I should be paying attention, after all Mr. Hendrickson said this lesson was critical to our midterm exam. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to listen to his words on the meaning behind Shakespeare's perplexing language. All I could see was the rain, all I could hear was the soft patter of those tiny droplets hitting the roof like a muffle had been placed over my senses.
    What caught my attention was a sharp knock on the classroom door. Mr. Hendrickson paused for a second in confusion before snapping his fingers. All eyes were suddenly on him, students who had been drifting off like I was brought back into attention. The older man cleared his throat and gave whoever was outside permission to enter before turning back to the class.

    "I forgot to mention," Mr. Hendrickson said as the door opened and revealed the headmaster. "We have a new student arriving today, so behave." The class murmured to each other, some excited while others irritated. New students were rare here at Britannia Academy since it was the most prestigious schools in the district, and they were often from very important families.
    The headmaster, Headmaster Zaratras, walked in with his arm guiding a boy in front of him. The boy was slightly below average height, I observed. I was at least four to five inches taller than him. The next thing I noticed was the startling color of his eyes, not exactly a dark green, but not light either. It was almost like someone had taken an emerald straight from the earth and shone a light through it.

    "This is Meliodas Irae, a transfer from Daemonium Academy," Headmaster Zaratras stood at the front of the room, his hand still sat on Meliodas' shoulder. I heard a small gasp come from somewhere in the classroom, Daemonium Academy certainly had a reputation around here, mostly known for its high drop-out levels and the number of gang members attending. "Treat him kindly." The headmaster sent a stern glare and the class fell silent.
    I couldn't seem to tear my eyes away from Meliodas though. He didn't seem like the type to attend Daemonium at all. His bright eyes and messy blonde hair, he seemed innocent and childlike. I felt inclined to comfort and protect him, though I knew that would not be a very appropriate thing to do, after all, I hadn't even spoken to him.
    I shook those thoughts from my mind and turned back towards the window, but I was unable to lose myself in the rain. So, I looked down at my blank note sheet and slowly started copying the neat handwriting on the board. I might as well try to retain the purpose behind this lesson. After all, if I wanted to escape this godforsaken town, college was the best option.
    I heard the chair next to my scrape against the linoleum floors. I almost groaned in frustration, stupid new kids and always wanting to sit in the front row. I refused to look to my left, I had lasted four years of shutting people out, what was one class period?
    Mr. Hendrickson quickly explained the concept to Meliodas while handing him the note sheet, then he resumed his lesson. Only this time, I was paying attention. Soon, though, sleep tugged at my senses. English had never been my forte, I was more of a History person.
    I had nearly forgotten about Meliodas, the only reminder was a small blur of blonde in my peripheral vision. His presence seemed to demand my attention, even his light breathing. My senses just seemed to focus on him, though I couldn't quite put my finger on why.