Talented (rewrite): Wonderland {chap. 2}

School. It was always be the same on the first day. It would be stressful, students wouldn’t want to be anywhere near me and I would either be ahead in the curriculum, or way behind.1

So, I decided that waking up at four in the morning was good. Actually, I didn’t decide. It just happened. I couldn’t believe that I’d decided to wake up so early and be exhausted by the end of the day. Oh well, I guess I needed to decide my official look. 2

After deciding to wear a pair of skinny jeans, the rest of the outfit seemed to play itself out. My bright red jacket with a sky blue shirt underneath with red roses. A pair of sky blue converse would make this look work. I loved converse, they made up most of my shoe collection.3

Mom said she would drive me, but part of me was still wondering if she would back out now… Oh well, I could probably find my way… Maybe.4

I kneeled by my new window, opening the blinds. It was still dark out, stars shining. I wondered if the moon was shining, but it was probably too late for that. Now would be a good time to test how well I could scale down that roof. 5

The latch opened just as smoothly and silently as it did before. A click made me jump, the cloak of darkness and silence broken by that single sound. I pushed the window open, feeling a gust of air tussle my hair. The wind seemed colder than in the day, more raw. The atmosphere only piqued my curiosity, and I took a cautious step outward.6

Nothing happened.7

My next step was even more careful, making sure that my full weight was on my back as I sat on the window sill. Was this as far as I wanted to go? Not even close. I pushed myself out more, keeping my hands secure on the sill. 8

Well, my feet weren’t slipping yet, but I wasn’t going to test walking around with a fresh coat of dew on the ground. 9

I pulled myself back up, quietly closing the window behind me and hearing the latch snap behind me. Part of me felt like I was shut out from the outside world. On the inside looking out. I shut the blinds slowly, the room seeming so much darker.10

I decided that I should probably try going downstairs, getting some food in my system before everyone else woke up. 11

So down the stairs I went, not even bothering to get out my messenger bag that I left on my bed. I’d get it later. 12

The first floor seemed so dark, my footsteps echoing lightly on the tile of the foyer. My eyes weren’t accustomed to it, and I almost ran into a wall. I pushed myself away just in time, and feeling either side of the hallway, I slowly made my way to the kitchen. 13

I fumbled along the walls, finally finding that light switch and flipping it on. The room burst with light, and I squinted, trying to shield my eyes away from the brightness. 14

Stumbling around the island, I made it to the fridge. The door jerked open, my eyes finally used to the light as a gust of arctic air blew in my face. It felt good on my skin, and I pulled out a pitcher of orange juice – which was pretty much the only thing in the fridge. 15

I grabbed a cup from one of the cupboards, and set it down on the island, pouring the orange liquid into the cup. I felt around in the pockets of my jacket, smiling as I found my iPod there. I was wondering where it went to. 16

Sticking the ear buds in my ear, I began to play the song I had paused at just the other day. Enter Sandman by Metallica was pounding in my ears, and I nodded my head to the tempo. Part of me wanted to just go back to sleep as I sipped lazily at my orange juice, taking in the house’s full surroundings. 17

But, I knew that if I tried to sleep now it wouldn’t be worth it since I was now fully awake.18

Yeah… I was pretty much stranded in my line of options to pass the time. My parents were both asleep. It wasn’t anywhere near time for school. And I had nothing to do except reread books and scour out my favorite parts. Oh yeah, isn’t my life a party? 19

I rolled my eyes, looking out into the dark night, not at all yet tinted by morning rays.20

My mom drove the car to the new school. We passed a group of kids walking to school, and they eyed my car with uncertain scrutiny. It only made me cower in the backseat and I sunk down slowly, just letting my eyes stay above the sill so I could still look around.21

It seemed like centuries had gone, and we were finally at the school. The building seemed to loom over me, doors seeming like an angry mouth ready to swallow me up. Like in Alice in Wonderland, I was going to face the Tweedledees and Tweedledums, the Mad Hatters and crazy caterpillars, the evil queens and their whimpy kings. To say in the least, I was so out of my element. 22

Well, the outside wasn’t so bad. In fact, the word to describe it was dull. Boring. Would I ever find any excitement here? 23

I got out of the car, slamming the door shut behind me with a little too much force. “Bye, Mom.” I said as blandly as possible, like I did this every day. It was a small hope that it could help me fit in easier. But in all of these circumstances it never did. Why bother doing it over and over again? Well, it’s that sweet thing called ‘repetition’. After doing this so many times, it was just a force of habit along with the hopeful feelings that sprung from it.24

“Yeah, yeah.” She waved off my not-so-heartfelt goodbye. “You’re dad and I won’t be able to pick you up or drop you off.”25

“Why?” I raised an eyebrow.26

“We’re going to find jobs.” She stated, and a small flutter of hope made me have an all-time high. Jobs? Jobs were usually constant, something to keep you grounded. Maybe there was a hope that this place could work out after all! That my parents would tire of their Bohemian lifestyle, and I could live like a normal kid! One could only dream…27

“’Kay.” I said lightly, as if it weren’t anything unusual. “Cool.” I turned around to cross the parking lot so I could enter my hopefully permanent high school.28

“And…” My whole body froze at my mother’s next word, and I turned back to the car. How easily I was controlled with one word. One word and that was all it took… “Do you know the way home? We can’t pick you up today either.”29

“Sure.” I replied so-intelligently and continued across the street again, hearing my mom’s car back up and pull out of the parking lot. Now I was officially alone.30

I honestly had no idea what I was going to do after school. The idiot that was me didn’t memorize the way; though I had a feeling it would be a short walk. Still, there were a lot of wrong turns I could make… I guessed I’d just have to wing it, as usual.31

There were a group of other kids walking into the building, and I realized that I had seen them walking to school. 32

Well, follow the rabbits. I thought dryly, walking after them into the front office. I had gotten to the door just as it closed, and pulled it open. I was greeted with warm air as I stepped into the front office and sighed. How I could miss the heat.33

A woman in her late thirties was wearing a pair of sharp-rimmed glasses perched upon her bird like nose. She tapped tediously at the her computer, wearing a sweater that hung limply off of her boney wrists using only two fingers. She sniffed, helping the man in front of her. 34

I had no idea what to expect. Some secretaries weren’t like others. There were only two breeds as far as I could measure. The kind maternal ones, which were somewhat annoying. And then the cold ones, like the lovely woman before me today. She just seemed to give off that vibe and I knew I would get no favors from her, which was fine by me.35

I decided to take a tactful approach, taking a wide birth around the man she was helping, and staying far behind. It was like working with a wild animal, letting them feel your presence. 36

The man soon departed – my only barrier against those cold eyes. 37

“Yes?” was her short reply.38

I stopped the delicacy and walked straight up to the desk, somewhat unfazed by her cutting tone. At least I knew what to expect. That was helpful. Maybe I’d survive after all.39

“I’m the new student you’ve been expecting. Jessie Mathews?” I leaned against the counter, ready to wait for my paperwork.40

The woman turned back to her computer with a repressed sigh, making the grip on the strap of my bag tighten. There was no need to be rude about it. I wanted to say ‘Well sorry for inconveniencing you’ but bit my tongue with marvelous restraint.41

I looked around at the walls with painted words of wisdom above them, and symbols of the school’s mascot found everywhere. It was all a little ‘homey’. A group of students walked past me, too consumed with their laughter to even notice me. They were the usual preps, bottle blond hair bouncing and their fake-and-bake skin glowing a radiant orange. I rolled my eyes, turning back to the secretary.42

“Here’s your schedule, locker number and combination – everything you need.” I was instantly handed a large, useless piece of paper. My schedule only took up one fourth of the page. Hadn’t people heard of ‘global warming’? Yeah, stuff like this causes it.43

“Right…” I slowly inched away, almost expecting some kind words of parting… Something.44

I was greeted with the tapping of keys resuming without any kind of precision. Well, that’s lovely. I thought harshly, merging into the river of students flowing away from what I guessed was the lunch room and off to their first period classes. 45

Kids were already stuffing their lockers with backpacks, text books, and the occasional gym bag. I decided that maybe I could waste a little time, and find my locker. I just… didn’t know where it was, exactly. Well, I wasn’t about to ask some teacher. I could do things myself.46

Locker number four-fifty-seven. Number four-fifty-seven. I found it. A top locker, which worked out well since I didn’t want to get tripped over or have something spilt on my head. I looked for my locker combination: 12-48-22. 47

I twisted the dial, focusing intently so I couldn’t screw it up. I had to stand on my toes so I could see it properly. Silently, I cursed my lack of height. The door was stuck, even though I pulled with all of my might. I huffed, pushing my hair out of my eyes and glaring at the metal door in front of me.48

“Here…” A quiet voice interrupted my mental cursing.49

I turned to see a boy with mouse brown hair and gray eyes. He seemed a little nervous, but I couldn’t blame him. I must have seemed pretty crazy. 50

“Do you need help?” Well that was better than just doing it for me.51

“Yeah,” I smiled gratefully, “If you don’t mind.”52

“Sure.” He seemed a little relieved when I said it was fine, and he brushed past me politely. I watched as he took his share at it. Then, he pushed the locker closed with a rough shove. He turned to face me, “Can I see your schedule. Just for the locker combo.”53

“Yeah, sure.” I gave him the paper willingly, and watched as he worked with the dial again. Then, with some more force, the locker burst open. The boy stumbled back, with me catching him. We both laughed as he straightened up, handing my schedule back to me.54

“There you go.” He smiled, watching me look at my new locker. I suddenly felt a little flustered, because I had nothing to put in it.55

“You’re a new student, aren’t you?” That smile turned to a smirk.56

“How’d ya guess?” I asked sarcastically, slamming the locker shut.57

“Just call me psychic.” He tapped his temple, as if he could see the future. “And I have a feeling we have algebra together, first period.”58

I looked at my schedule with a faux amazed look. “Wow! You’re good!” 59

“My name’s Tyson, yours?” He introduced himself.60

“Jessie.” 61

“Do you want to walk with me, since we’re going to the same place and all.” 62

“Sure.”63

I followed Tyson to algebra, suddenly wishing I didn’t have that class first period. One thing I couldn’t stand was algebra – well, all math in general – but algebra was the worst. Oh well, Tyson seemed like the funny type who’d rather be talking than taking notes. 64

The first day always passed in the same, disorienting kind of way. Of course, I didn’t make a lot of friends in most of my classes, and they were indeed behind my curriculum. At least that was better than the other way around. Less work and all that.65

The bell was ringing for lunch, and luckily Tyson had said we had that together as well. And I was also lucky enough to be in the class just before it. Social studies. 66

I stood up from my desk, pushing the chair in and looked up. To a grave disappointment, he was talking to some of his friends and walking out the door. Well of course he wouldn’t wait for you, I thought sourly, He has a life, you know?67

“Hey, Jessie!” I was surprised to see that he waited at the door, waving at me to come with. I tried to make my steps quick and at the same time like I wasn’t rushed in the slightest. 68

He smiled as I neared his side, his little pack eyeing me suspiciously. “These are a couple of my friends: Melina, Rachel, Carissa and Rodger. We usually go to lunch together.”69

“Uh… Hey guys.” I was a little annoyed that they were all taller than me, but tried not to let it faze me. Of course they would be, I was short.70

“Guys, this is Jessie, the new student.”71

“I think we could figure that one out Tyse,” Rodger said sarcastically, “Since she came into the class and we’d never seen her before.”72

“Well, I just wasn’t sure if you were paying attention, Rodge.” Tyson snapped back in the same joking tone, “You hardly ever do.”73

The other girls ‘ooed’ and broke off into a fit of giggling, leading the way out as I followed them helplessly. I guessed I’d found the Tweedledees and Tweedledums. Now onto the Mad Hatters and caterpillars that were more my cup of tea… No pun intended, I added darkly to myself.74

I couldn’t help but smile at myself for a moment. Jessie in Wonderland. I could just see the movie headlines. 75