Chapter 2

Chapter 2- First Day at Hell • • • I woke up to the loathed sound of my alarm clock booming throughout my room. I emerged from the warm safety of my bed as I reached over and shut it off. I slugged into my bathroom and washed my face. I brushed out my dark blonde hair and braided two strands together in the back, leaving the rest of my hair hanging. I loosely curled my hair and put on some simple makeup. My outfit consisted of ripped, light-wash mom jeans and a white, retro-looking crop top that I got at my favorite thrift shop back in Boston. I slipped on my high-top converse and walked downstairs. I quickly ate some frosted flakes, brushed my teeth, and grabbed my backpack. I began to walk into my mom's room to say goodbye, but since she was sleeping, I decided not to. I grabbed the car keys and drove off to the school. As I was driving away from my house, another hurricane of emotions swept through me. The people in my new school didn't know anything about my family, who I was, or what I was like. A completely clean slate had been set in front of me, which is great... but I couldn't help but feel like I was going to mess everything up again. As I pulled into the parking lot, I began to breath heavily. I tried to calm myself down with some of the strategies that my therapist showed me back home. When I finally calmed down, I got out of my car and took in the scenery. I kept my head down and tried to find my first period class. After asking like 10 different people, I finally found it. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I sat down at an empty desk in the back of the room. As I was getting my books out, I heard a voice in front of me. "Hey! You must be new. My name is Scarlett," I looked up at a girl with strawberry blonde hair, light blue eyes, and a pretty smile stretched across her face. I smiled back. "I'm Crystal," I told her and her face lit up at my name. "I love that name! It's so pretty," She said and then sat down at the desk next to mine "Thanks, yours too." I responded and she smiled as she took a piece of paper out. "I wonder if we have any other classes together," she took my schedule and compared them side by side. She was super perky, but she seemed really nice. As long as she was nice, I liked her. "We have history together fourth period. Then we can walk to lunch together after," she said and I smiled. "So what do you like to do?" Scarlett and I talked with each other for about 10 more minutes, and we actually had a lot in common. I started to feel the uplift in my chest again, but this time I let it happen. A little bit of joy couldn't be too bad once in a while- I just couldn't allow too much joy. The teacher walked in during the middle of Scarlett's story about an embarrassing school moment of hers. "Hello students... Welcome back. My name is Mr. Dowche. Not douche... Dowche. And I will be your calculous teacher this year," He said and a couple giggles scattered throughout the room. The period consisted of the class rules and shit. I didn't pay attention. When class ended, Scarlett and I looked at each other. "I'll see you in history... good luck!" she said and walked out of the room. Before I could say bye she had already left. I chuckled as I got up. I had 5 minutes to get to my locker and get to class. I walked out of the classroom, joining a stampede of people walking to their lockers with their friends. I fought my way through the crowds as I made my way towards the calmer hallway where my locker was. When I got to my locker I sighed with relief and opened it on the first try. I dealt with my books and closed my locker. Just as I turned around, someone slammed into me, spilling ice-cold liquid all over me. I stood frozen in place with my jaw dropped, stunned by the unexpected sequence of events and the bright blue drink now covering me. "Jesus- can you watch where the hell you're going?" I heard a deep voice say and I looked up. His eyes were dusk blue, and he had dark brown hair that looked messy yet put together at the same time. Behind him were three other boys, also annoyingly attractive, who were presumably his posse. "What did you just say??" I stared back at him, my blood boiling. I liked this shirt, godamnit.. and now it's tie-dyed. "Are you deaf? I said- could you maybe watch where the fuck you're going," he repeated it slowly. "First of all I'm not deaf, but if I was deaf then saying it slower wouldn't help me understand what you said, dumbass. And second of all, you're right.. I'm so very sorry you spilt your drink all over me," I replied sarcastically, getting pretty heated. "Well, you walked into me," he said, a little taken aback by my response. He probably expected me to squeal sorry and run away. "Technically I wasn't even walking. I'm not really sure how you define walking, but I'm pretty sure that you have to be moving," I responded. Ass wipe... "Can you just shut up and keep walking," he said very asshole-ish. "I can't. You're still in my way." I said and waited for him to step out of my way. When he didn't, I sighed and pushed my way past him, probably earning a harsh glare from him. "Bitch," I heard him mumble under his breath. I let out an unexpected laugh and spun on my heals, marching back over to him. Before he could react to me appearing in front of him, I grabbed the half-empty bottle of Gatorade out of his hand and lifted it over his head, pouring the rest on him. His expression, as I'm sure you could imagine, was priceless. I heard his friends cracking up behind him. "Never call a girl a bitch," I glared into his eyes as he opened them, piercing into me. "Or she just might act like one." I gave him one last sarcastic smile before I pushed by them, walking away. As much as I despised him, I felt a strange electric warmth spread through my body, originating in the spot where our bodies briefly made contact... must just be due to the lack of testosterone in my life.. I walked into class after quickly drying myself off in the bathroom and sat, again, in the back. I didn't make any friends in this class like I did with Scarlett, but I'm okay with that. I eventually made it to fourth period. "Crystal!" I heard Scarlett yell over when I walked in the door. Her face immediately fell when she noticed my more colorful appearance. "What happened? It looks like a smurf threw up on you." "I have a question," I sat down in the seat next to her that she had been saving for me. "Who are those four boys that are all randomly very attractive?" I asked, thinking she would have to know who I was talking about. "Ohhh them. Yeah. They're the 4 most popular guys in school. There's Eli, Kevin, George, and then Ashton. He's a total hunk, but a total ass. George Is a new recruit. He was new at the end of last year and they just so happened to take him under their wing," she replied. "Here's a tip... if you're falling for them, DON'T. They are such players. I mean I guess except for Ashton- he never really dates anyone," she added. After History, we started to walk to the lunchroom. On the way there I told her about my little encounter with Ashton at my locker. She was loving it. She then went on to explain that no one ever stands up to them. Whoops. I guess I broke the rules of the hierarchy... Do I give a fuck? No, not really.