What they think of me

I finally have a friend. He is just one, but yesterday I had none. So I'm really glad he's here, taking the seat beside me that has always been empty.

I still doubt he will stick around though. First reason being my buggy clothes. Richards looks both cute and fashionable. We ain't quite the match.

So far, he has shown no signs of disliking me. I know it will happen sooner or later. Hopefully, it will be drama free.

"Only seven more minutes to lunch. This lesson really takes away all my energy." Richards says, shifting uncomfortably on the seat beside me. He hasn't left my side since he helped me deal with my morning incidence, except the one time he had to attend a history class while I was having geography.

Dean has been watching us, like a detective watches a suspect. Feeling his eyes on me almost all the time makes me uneasy. So you can bet that for the third day in a row, I haven't concentrated in class.

It's chemistry class about to come to an end. Richards has been whining throughout the lesson. I wish I have a solution for him since he really loathes this subject.

The bell finally rings and we both sigh in relief. Him because the torturous lesson has ended, I because his whining has ended.

Richards puts a hand around my back as we walk to the cafeteria. Why does he keep on doing that? I don't like being treated like a pet! But if I loose Richards this early while I still have so many enemies, will I survive on my own?

If Dean won't kill me, Tracy or my sisters will. I'll ignore the discomfort his touch is causing me, at least until Dean and Tracy find something else to do other than assault me.

We enter the cafeteria, Richards still holding my hand.

Usually, no one looks at me. I'm used to feeling invisible. Not like a ghost, more like an ugly statue that no one bothers to look at. Today, things have changed. People stare when I pass by.

I know it's because of the handsome, school football star, Richards walking right by my side. Soon his admirers will be my enemies too. I need to get rid of him.

He lets go of my hand so we can pick up our plates of food. I pick up mine and hurry to my unoccupied table before he gets a chance to grab my hand again.

I had figured out that he would go eat with his football buddies if I don't let him hold my hand. I was wrong. He picks up his plate and walks to my table.

"Aren't you going to seat with your friends? I appreciate your help but you realise people are going to despise you if you stick with me too much." I tell him.

"Why would you think that?" He asks as if he already doesn't know.

"I may not be wearing my glasses but I'm still Walker. I'm unpopular, unfashionable, boring and people also call me a freak. And if you haven't realised, people are already staring at us, do you need me to tell you why?" I try my best to scare him off.

"You're unlike other girls. That doesn't mean you're boring. You're interesting in your own unique way. And if you've not realised, people are staring at you, not us. Like I told you, you have beautiful features." He counters.

I've never been showered with so many complements before. I know that sounds exaggerated. But how many times do you think I have been awarded a complement before today?

"And by the way, I'm here to stay. And nothing is going to change that." He vows.

I would have celebrated that statement if I did believe him. But I know making and breaking promises is a virtue very popular within humanity. I nod and smile anyway.

Dean walks into the cafeteria accompanied by a team of popular boys. He seems more at ease with them than when Tracy and her gang stalked him.

But just like the girls, the boys appears to be fighting for his attention as well. Blessed son of a bitch!

He majestic walk captures every eye and they all move with him as he walks to the table where Tracy and her group sits. The boys stand around him as if he is the source of their oxygen.

Tracy and her friends hurry to make a space for him but he declines to seat with them.

"He walks around with so much ego, one would think he owns the school." Richard comments.

Obvious he hates Dean. But his statement bears some truth. Dean has got the sex appeal and one can tell that he knows it. But he got a fair share of ego as well.

"I would like to have a friendly chat with Gina and Racheal. Will you two join me and my friends around that empty table over there?" He says and both girls gape in awe. You would think they have won a jackpot.

Tracy's face turns red. She looks and probably also feels like she's going to faint. So do I. What does Dean want with my sisters? I heard Eric tell him Gina and Racheal are my stepsisters earlier today. Now he wants to have a chat with them. Do you smell a rat?

The two lucky girls pick up their plates and follow Dean to the empty table he had pointed at. He takes a seat and they settle on either side. One of Dean's loyal escorts gets him a plate of food. They serve him like a royal prince.

"Thanks for inviting us to eat with you!" Gina says in a coaxing voice.

"You're welcome!" One of the boys around the table answers. Gina snorts.

"Would you guys excuse us for a few minutes, I want to have a private conversion with the ladies." Dean orders his group of boy servants.

They all gather their food and move to another table. But not before affirming that he will join them later.

My stepsisters appear elated. What could be greater than being invited by Dean to eat with him when you had been dying to get his attention?

"So, you two and Walker are sisters?" I hear Dean ask and my heartbeat picks up speed.

"The two of us are twins. But no, Walker is not our sister." Racheal answers. She must really hate me.

"Everyone tells me she is." Dean argues.

The two girls frown.

"She is our step sister. But we don't consider her as part of our family." Racheal informs.

"Who is not her real parent, your mom or dad?" Dean asks.

"Dad. He and Mom had a fight one time and Mom left him. While she was away some weirdo paid her a lot of money so she can have his kid. She never saw him again so she went back to Dad." Racheal answers. "Can we talk about something else?" She asks sounding abit disappointed.

"Yeah, after you tell me more about Walker. What is she like?" Dean quips.

"She's a freak and boring!" Gina utters. "must we talk about her?" She protests.

"Just tell me more then we can talk about whatever else you like." Dean offers. I hear Racheal sneer. "Why do you call her 'Walker'?"

"Because she sleepwalked and got hit by a car when she was eight." Racheal answers. She gets excited everytime she gets an opportunity to tell the tale.

"Sleepwalked?" Dean questions.

"Yes. We all went to sleep that night. We got a call from our local hospital at 3 am. The nurse informed us that Alena had gotten an accident downtown. We couldn't believe it since we all thought that she was in her room sleeping. So we went to check her in her room first. We found the door locked from the inside but she didn't answer when we called her. Dad broke the door. That's when we realized she actually wasn't home." She tells barely pausing to take in a breathe.

"Did any of you go to see her that day?" Dean asks.

"No, we..." Racheal begins to answer but Gina jumps in.

"Only Mom and Dad went. They found that she had not incurred any injuries and she was cleared to come home.she was still in her pajamas when they brought her home." Gina happily informs.

"Who said she was sleepwalking?" Dean asks.

"We figured it that out after hearing what she thought had happened. She said that she was having a dream about Dad taking her out shopping. She got lost, went looking for him and got hit by a car while closing a road." Racheal answers, happy to embarrass me. "She said it was all happening in a dream and she was surprised at how the accident had turned into reality." She adds with a laugh.

"The cab driver who hit her said she came out of nowhere. Like a ghost." Gina chimes.

When it comes to family, I really am unfortunate. How can my stepsisters comfortably talk about me like that?

"Is there a reason he seems interested in your stepsisters now?" Richards, who I may have forgotten is seated beside me, asks.

"I don't know." I lie. "They seem to really like him."

"They're nothing as beautiful as you!" He says and I forge a smile for him.

"I also heard you had a little brother, what's is his name?" I hear Dean ask and my gaze shifts back to them.

"He disappeared. someone snatched him while on his way home. Mom didn't like picking Walker from school together with us so she told her to be walking. Mike vowed never to enter Mom's car. He was protesting on behalf of Walker. He began walking home on foot until one day he never got home." Gina answers.

Dean once again looks thoughtful.

"Can we talk about us now?" Racheal asks.

"I need to take care of some unfinished business, you two have a good time!" Dean says rising from his seat. Did you hear Racheal's heart shattering? How about Gina's. Well, I heard. I also thick I saw shock waves coming emerging from the two.

"But you said we would talk about other things!" Gina protests. But Dean proceeds to walk away from them.

"Maybe another day." He says and keeps walking.

That is why I hate men. They know how to use you. They lure you close, once they get what they wanted, they don't bother to at least apologize before walking away.

"Why is he coming towards us?" Richards say and I immediately look back at Dean. He is indeed coming.

Should I make a run for the door? No, that would be too embarrassing.

"Do not get scared. I'm here, remember?" Richards comforts.

Yeah, he is here. At least we can combine effort and fight off Dean. Then I can get suspended. How wise!

My heart beats faster with every step Dean takes as he approaches. Then he is finally here!

"Hello again, beautiful!" His husky voice greets. "Looks like you finally found a friend!"

"Fuck off!" Richards roars.

"Pardon me?" Dean days in an amused voice. Richards rises from his seat, he glares Dean in the eyes.

"I. Said. Fuck. Off! She wants nothing to do with you, so walk away before I break your limps!" Richards spits.

Dean doesn't seem slightly moved by the threat as a smile curves on his lips.

"You're welcome to break my limps. And please make haste as I need to have a talk with Alena." Dean says with an evil smirk on his face. The scene is already attracting a crowd.

"You think I'm kidding? I actually mean to teach your arrogant ass a lesson!" He says and throws a punch at Dean.

Dean ducks without much effort. Richards hurls another punch and Dean catches it in the air. He headbutts Richards who immediately collapses to the floor.

I rush to his side and try to shake him back to consciousness. He doesn't respond. He's not dead, just unconscious.

Now I'm on my own? Oh no, I'm dead! Attempting a fair fight with Dean would be stupid. So I pick up the chair Richards was sitting on. Dean smiles even as I lounge at him with the chair.

I aim for his head, he ducks. I raise my weapon once again but he take a hold of it before I have the opportunity to smash it on his head.

He jerks the chair out of my grasp and puts it back in it's place around the table. I don't think fighting is going to work for me. Time for plan B.

I make a run for the door. Turns out it wasn't a good idea either. Dean is inhumanely fast too.

I take only five steps before I feel his hand take hold of my arm and pull me back. Instead if hitting me, he drags me towards the door, his crowd of fans following us.

"Step back!" Dean snaps at them after dragging me to the door. They all turn back, or at least pretend to do it.

He drags me farther from the door. He wants a secluded place to slit my throat! Just when I decide to scream for help, he stops dragging me.

"Relax, no one is hurting you." He says. Who would be stupid to believe that? He just knocked out Richards back in the cafeteria!

"Like you didn't hurt Richards? Let go of me, psycho!" I scream at him, using all my strength to pull my arm out of his grasp.

"Richards can't protect you, you know that, right?" He says.

"He was protecting me when you knocked him out! You're nothing but a monster!" I burst.

"Sorry, we got off on the wrong foot! Attacking you was a mistake, but it won't happen again, I promise." He confesses in a gentle voice that I didn't know he had. But who is to trust this psycho?

"Go to hell!" I utter.

"I know you're angry at me, but can't you give me a chance to explain?" He pleads in the same alluring voice.

"Explain what?"

"I mistook you for a rebel agent?" He says. Mad man!

"Rebel agent!" I exclaim. "Told you you're a psycho!"

He sighs as if frustrated by my words.

"Okay then. Just do one thing for me. Make sure for today, you don't go any places you've never gone before. If you see anyone with eyes like mine or yours, run!" He says and I have to admit, I'm amused by the extent of his madness. Insane people can be creative.

I pull away my arm and this time he let's go. I run back into the cafeteria to find Richards struggling to get to his feet. People around him laugh and make fun. Yeah, this is what happens to those who risk being my friends.

I rush to him and help him up. I put one of his arms around my shoulders to steady him and we make our way out of the chaotic cafeteria, laughter echoing all around us.

Once we're outside, I look around and find that Dean is gone. Thank God!

"I'm taking you to see the nurse." I tell Richards and he nods. He is still groggy so I do a lot of weight lifting on the way.

We're almost close to the infirmary when I spot Dean's car leaving the school parking and heading towards the gate. Why is he leaving?