Outcast

The alarm clock begins its hideous cacophony to my ears signifying another morning. Drowsily I get myself ready for a dreadful school day. I can't be expected to look forward to this pitiful routine of going to school, being made fun of, failing a test, being made fun of, eating lunch alone, and did I mention being made fun of? Sure it was loads of fun at first, but one's esteem can only get so low. 1

I step onto the school bus and sit in the front seat..by myself of course. Unfortunately this is the best part of my day. Everyone is half asleep and way too lazy to start anything. I can still always feel their cold eyes burning holes through me, but I'm used to that. Thiry minutes pass and I arrive at my true hell. I start at a quick pace straight to my classroom with my head down and eyes lowered praying no one will notice my existence. I search for the corner backseat and lay my head down. Each morning the teacher is aware of my presence and the reason behing it, but she says nothing. She's probably afraid of being infected by my disease. Who can blame her?2

The bell rings and students flood the classroom trying to find a seat as far away from me as possible. I just keep my head down until someone suddenly taps my shoulder. "Is this seat saved?" I glance up and find before me a tall, lanky brunnette. Her greyish-blue eyes illuminate her pale freckled face as she watches me with uttermost curiousity. "Is this seat saved?" she repeats. Her sweet voice sending shivers down my spine. "uhhh no," I manage to mumble through my astonishment at human contact. "ok thanks. My name is Christine by the way. I just moved here from NY. I'm so nervous not knowing anyo-" "EVERYONE QUIET!" Mrs. Daniels interrupts beginning today's lesson. Christine turns around, and I lay my head back down. I can hear the usual giggle of ignorant Paris Hilton wannabes in the front who are doing their daily commentary on my appearance, but I just tune them out. Today I'm wearing my black fishnets covers by knee high boots and baggy boy shorts along with a white button up shirt and tie. My dark brown hair cascades across my face hiding an undershave and lack of make up. I'm not particularly ugly, but living in the bible belt, this outfit is an abomination. For an hour and a half this criticism continues much to the teachers knowledge then finally the bell rings for lunch. 3

Christine turns around abruptly. "Do you mind if I sit with you? I have no one to eat lunch with and you seem cool." Cool? Has she not been listening to the barbies upfront? I'm farthest from cool, but I smile and nod.4

The cafeteria is infested with social stereotypes each blind to the other. In one corner are the cheerleaders whining about the calories in school lunch. I gues bulemia is out of season..? Next to them are the jocks drooling over the cheerleaders provocative clothing. In another corner are the nerds fighting over which Anime comic is the best, and in another the goths probably drinking blood or something. Last or not least there's the emo kids cryings about their tragic lives. If suicide is the cool thing, I don't see why they don't just kill themselves? But I guess I can't pass judgement. Cast away by all these labels yet standing awkwardly amonst them are me and Christine. "Can we ummm eat outside?" I question. "Yes please" and with that we make a dash to the courtyard.5

TO BE CONTINUED...6