TTEOTB -- Ch. 5

Chapter 51

“Hey!” I heard someone call from behind me. I didn’t want to turn around to find that they aren’t calling for me at all and end up looking like a complete dumbass so I kept walking. 2

I felt someone grab my shoulder so I whipped around, almost knocking them to the ground. 3

“Oh! I am so sorry! I just—I didn’t—I’m sorry—” I started rambling along with all sorts of apologies. 4

“Anika, it’s okay!” Arianna smiled, grabbing both of my wrists trying to calm me down.5

“Uh, oh, okay.” I said, pulling myself together. I pulled my arms away from her gently and slipped my hands into my pockets. 6

“Sorry if I scared you.” She stifled a giggle. “I was just wondering what lunch you had.” She stared at me wide-eyed, huge smile on her face. How could someone be so happy all the time? Jeez. 7

“Oh, I have second lunch on A days and third lunch on B days.” I told her, taking my hands out of my front pockets and switching them to my back ones. 8

Her smile broadened although I didn’t think that was even possible. “We’ve got lunch together both days!” then she frowned, “How come I haven’t seen you at lunch then…” She was more talking to herself now, eyes wandering while she thought. I knew why though. 9

She never saw me because I didn’t want her to see me. I didn’t want anyone to see me; at least not while He was around. 10

“I don’t know why either.” I faked a laugh, shrugging my shoulders. 11

“Well, gotta get to class. See you at lunch?” She asked, arching her eyebrows. 12

“Uh, yeah.” I smiled, waving and turning away to walk to class. 13

* * * *14

I decided I wasn’t going to get involved in P.E. today. 15

“What’s wrong, Anika?” Mrs. Holly asked, looking down at me with her hands on her hips. 16

“Nothing…” I looked away at the other kids playing basketball. 17

“Oh, alright, make sure to bring your P.E. clothes next time.” She added turning away to supervise things more important than my lack of gym clothes.18

It’s not even that I’m lacking. I have them. They’re in my locker. I just don’t feel like putting up with Him telling me how clumsy and weak I am the whole damn time. I’d prefer to sit against the wall and watch everyone else.19

The bell finally rang at 12:15 P.M. for third lunch. I snatched up my bag which was sitting next to me and headed out into the lunchroom. I sat in my usual spot hoping Arianna wouldn’t find me. I nibbled on a few crackers enjoying my time alone; He decided not to show up for lunch today. 20

“Anika?” I looked up from the table to find Arianna and a few other people standing in front of me. So much for hoping.21

I blushed, “H… Hi.” I stuttered and started chewing on my thumbnail. 22

“Come sit with us?” She asked, wide eyed. Her other friends stared at me as well making me nervous.23

“Uh… um, sure.” I stumbled over my tongue again, getting up and putting my stuff together.24

We walked over to the other commons area and sat down at a round table. 25

“Okay guys, this is Anika.” She threw a perfectly polished index finger in my direction. “Anika, this is Autumn, Teigan, Anabelle, Quinn and Aiden.” She nodded at each of them as she told me their names. 26

“Hi.” I just about whispered it, my hands were shaking. 27

“They hate you…” I heard Him snarl. 28

I looked down and started to chew on my thumbnail again. I must’ve made a face because I could feel all their eyes on me. 29

“Hey, are you okay?” I looked up to face a pale girl with long blonde, pink and blue hair that went to her elbows. Her bright blue eyes were circled with black eyeliner. I looked at her mouth when she spoke, a lot of metal. Not like braces or anything, I think they’re called angel bites and snake bites. I’m pretty sure Arianna said her name was Anabelle. 30

“Um, yes I’m fine. Sorry.” I looked down again at my hands, biting my lip.31

“Anika, its okay, calm down.” I heard Arianna trying to comfort me. 32

“I know.” I attempted a smile, looking up again. 33

“So, where are you from?” I turned to face another girl. Quinn. She had wide grey eyes and medium length reddish brown hair. She wore glasses that made her look quite intelligent and barely any make up. I also noticed that she was very tiny, like pocket-sized, she couldn’t of even been 5 foot. 34

“California.” I sighed, remembering home.35

“California! What part?” the girl named Autumn spoke up. “I’ve always wanted to go there.” She told me before I could answer.36

“Oceanside, it’s in San Diego.” I replied before she could ramble on. Girls that talked a lot sort of got on my nerves sometimes. 37

I looked over to see Aiden and Teigan chatting away about who knows what. Maybe they’re together? Eh, who knows? And why do I even care? I turned around in my seat to look behind me at the clock. Lunch ended at 12:45 P.M. which was in exactly one minute. I counted down the seconds waiting to be free of the knot in my stomach. 38

Everyone in the cafeteria started getting up simultaneously as the five minute bell rang. 39

“Come on, Anika, I’ll walk you back to class.” Arianna was standing next to me; I didn’t even notice that she moved. 40

“Oh, uh, okay.” I said getting up from my own seat. 41

We walked down the hall to a staircase, went up and took a left to my English class.42

“Have fun.” She giggled before turning and walking down to the opposite end of the hallway. 43

“Ha, yeah.” I laughed back and then I realized that I just went through almost a full 30 minutes without Him making me miserable. 44

But I knew it wouldn't last too long. I mean, that would just be too perfect. Perfect, hah! 45

* * * *46

“Long day, huh?” He asked while I was lying down on my bed thinking about today’s slight eventfulness. Where the hell had he been? “Made some friends? Kind of. They hate you. They think you’re weird. Teigan and Aiden wouldn’t even talk to you!”47

I rolled over onto my side and let tears fall as truth sunk in. They did hate me… 48