Jaded: Chapter 2

"Jade! It's time to get up for Yearbook!" her mother shouts from the bathroom which separates their rooms.1

"Ugh..." comes Jade's usual response. She's not dreading her Yearbook Committee meeting when she says this. The 5:30 wake up calls each morning have simple started to dampen her spirits.2

At the meeting Jade finds Lisa. Lisa isn't really one of Jade's close friends, but Lisa has been there for Jade several times and the amount of trust Jade holds to Lisa is mutual. They are in two completely different crowds: Lisa with the "preps" and Jade with, well -- her own group. But over time they have grown into similar people; Jade slightly more attentive and intelligence but Lisa with the ability to make people her disciples. You see, Jade is smart, she just can't stand the constant pressure and demands and expectations associated with her intelligence.3

The school bell rings at 8:45 and Jade is brushed through a rush of anxious students. As she depressingly exit the classroom, Sarah cranes her head into the open door to call Jade outside the room. Glad to see a friendly smile, Jade runs down the hallway to catch up with her best friend Sarah.4

Sarah and Jade have been through a lot together over the past four years. Though little between the two is expressed verbally, they have an uncanny way of helping each other through just about anything. But Jade doesn't know how much Sarah can help her now.5

"Ashley, wait up!" Sarah screams to one of their other friends. Ashley is the only one of the "circle" who actually has a chance of normality. But Jade figures she would rather be herself than try to fit in.6

Jade says a breathless "Hey, Ash." Then upon realizing that she is passing her locker, she mumbles a quick "See you in homeroom, guys." Jade hurries to her locker as to not be tardy again.7

Everything was usual in school that morning. Mrs. Freeman gave them a pop quiz which Jade found pretty simple, Mr. Stamp loaded them with homework, and Mrs. Jones bored the class to death with a lecture about natural selection. But at the end of class Jade suddenly realizes that she had forgotten something that morning. She has a six page book report due for Literature Class. Her mind flies into a frenzy and she takes out her notebook to try to scribble something, anything that could prevent the inevitable "F." But the bell rings as she tears a page out.8

Mr. Messer screamed to the class "Take out your book reports." Jade sits in fear as the teacher walks her way. With no excuse, Jade will fail the assignment and undoubtedly the semester grade.9

"An excuse could work. But I can't lie! Well, if it will avoid that grade..." slowly her mind works out her plan. When Mr. Messer snaps at her to show him her work, she says quietly "I was in the hospital last night. I... uhhh... hit my head when I fell off my bike. They kept me the whole night so I had no chance to organize my work."10

But Mr. Messer saw it coming. "That must have hurt. But then where are your bruises? Cuts? Scrapes? Anything?"11

Jade's silence gave him the answer. He called her parents to tell them about the faulty injury. For the rest of the day she was silent. That is, until she was home.12