Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Chapter 15 He poked you?

Rolling out of bed early for is something I don't think I can ever get used to. The time is 6:30 AM, and it feels as if it is 3:00 AM. I groan as I walk to the shower.

The bathroom is really nice, and I don't think I can ever get used to this kind of luxury.

I get into the shower, and start singing like I usually do. I've always loved music, and I especially loved to sing, but the truth is, I'm not sure if I'm any good at it. I don't sing in front of people, I'm way too shy for something like that. Even the thought alone makes my heart pound in my chest quicker than normal.

I'd guess I'd rather keep singing to myself.

Stepping out of the shower, I feel much more refreshed and ready to go. As I dry my hair, I think about the new morning routine that has taken over my old life.

New morning routine:

--Shower.

--Eat breakfast and make a lunch.

--Get dressed.

Oh joy.

Let the day begin.

* * *

"Cease the chatter!" The teacher by the name of Mrs. Dreschler screams at the class. The teacher is of short stature, with shoulder-length brown hair, dark blue eyes, and a little on the plump side. She looks like he's in her mid fifties.

I sink back down into my seat, anxiously drumming away on the desk with my fingers. I observe all the students around the classroom; some are throwing pencils into the ceiling. I notice that there's already about five pencils stuck in the ceiling, just hanging there.

And other students are pointlessly flirting, while some are trading sticks of gum for a pen.

It amazes me how a room full of adult students act like they're still ten year old boys.

"And Kevin! If I see that phone out again in class you won't see it until next year." The teacher threatens with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"What? You can't do that!" The kid now known as Kevin exclaims. I turn my attention to Kevin, he has curly dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and acne.

"I have a hammer in my desk for these kind of problems. Try me, I dare you." Mrs. Dreschler shoots back, narrowing her eyes.

That shuts Kevin up, and he lovingly tucks his phone away back into his backpack.

Mrs. Dreschler clears her throat and says, "Now everyone, we have a new student. Be respectful. Dakota, could you please come up here and introduce yourself?"

Frick. Holy mother of hell why?

I walk up to the front of the class, wanting to just disappear into thin air. And this is why I can't be a singer. Even standing in front of the class terrifies me.

Be confident. As cool as a butterfly....or was it cucumber? Eh, same thing.....kinda...

"Uhm, hi? My name is Dakota." I say awkwardly.

I can hear the class start whispering, in which the teacher shushes them.

"Now dear, tell us about yourself. Your age, an interesting fact?" The teacher says, raising her eye brows.

What is this, freaking kindergarten??

"Oh, right. Well I'm nineteen, and-"

"Wow she's older than all of us." Some kid says aloud. "Did you get held back?"

I roll my eyes and continue, "Well, an interesting fact? Okay, uhm.....I live with a dangerous gang leader." I say, simply shrugging like it's nothing. Not like they're going to believe me any way.

The teacher's eyes grow wide, and the students are actually silent for once in their puny lives. The teacher clasps her hands together and awkwardly says, "My my, and our new student has a great imagination! I'm sure the English teacher will love to have a story-teller like you in his class."

Little do you know....

"You may be seated."

Thank God.

I take my seat, which happens to be where that kid Kevin sits. He pokes me in the arm halfway through class and whispers, "Are you a library book? Because I'd like to check you out."

I ignore him, and continue to read the book that he is supposed to be reading.

"Oh, you don't like that one? Fret not, I've got more. Are you ready? Here it goes. I just googled sexy and an image of you came up!"

I bite the inside of my cheek, becoming more aggravated. But he doesn't seem to take a hint, and he keeps going.

"Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? Because God is definitely missing one of his angels!"

I glare at him back and this time I say, "I think the real question is this: Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? Because you definitely got kicked out."

A look of shock crosses his face, and for a moment, I'm proud of myself.

Until I hear the teacher butt in.

"Dakota, it's your first day here, and you're already causing trouble?" The teacher tsks.

Fantastic. Fanfuckingtastic.

Of course I get the blame....

"Oh, no of course not. This kid here just keeps-" But I am cut off.

"I don't need to hear your excuses you teenagers come up with. Be accountable for your own actions." The teacher rants. "Just don't do it again."

I silently groan in frustration and reply, "Yes, sorry."

I shoot Kevin an angry glare, but he just shrugs, raises his eyebrows, and mouths an innocent 'what?'

Just ignore.

So school was interesting. Different than what I was expecting, but still good. I liked being around people, even though some may be a pain like that Kevin kid.

I guess being alone and locked in a room to most of your life makes you that there is a lot to cherish. Sure, the nightmares, the flashbacks, trauma, and depression still and will continue to dwell in my life. But I refuse to let it rule over me.

It's like a battle---if you win it, there is still side affects to come, even years later. So, when I win this battle, I will still be affected by the consequences in years to come.

* * *

I'm standing under a large, green shade tree, texting Ace to come pick me up on the phone he recently got me. I have never owned a phone before, so I'm still figuring this thing out. I feel like one of those old people who don't even know how to turn on their computer.

But I guess you have to start somewhere, right?

"Hey there!"

I turn around, and a young man with black hair and oddly colored eyes appears in front of me. His eyes are of purple, and it's then that I realize he's wearing contacts. He is wearing an odd speaker in his ear, and I grow curious.

"Hi, I didn't see you there." I reply.

"I've noticed that you're new here, I just wanted to say hello."

"Oh, yeah, I'm new...." I say awkwardly.

"What's your name?" He questions.

I roll my eyes. "Do you always ask random strangers for their name?" I say, crossing my arms.

"Distrusting, are we?" He asks, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, and I have reasons to be." I say back.

The guy just simply shrugs and says, "Well, if it makes you feel any better, my name's Mark." He says and holds out his hand for a shake.

Whatever.

"My name is Dakota." I give in and shake his hand.

"See, that wasn't so hard." He teases.

"Yeah, I guess." I reply.

My eyes catch the speaker in his ear once more, and before I can think twice, I open my mouth. "Sooo what's that thing in your ear?" I ask.

"Oh, that? That's just for....work." He says quickly. I furrow my eyebrows and read his face. I don't know if I can exactly trust this guy....I'm probably just being paranoid.

"Well, if you need help with anything, let me know! See you later." He says.

He's kind of odd....

"Who was that?"

I abruptly turn around, and find that Ace is standing behind me.

I shrug and say, "I don't know, some guy named Mark."

"What did he say?" Ace asks, prying.

"Nothing, really. He just said he saw a new face so he decided to say hello. He was a bit odd to be honest." I reply.

Ace raises one eyebrow in suspicion, before shrugging it off and saying, "Well, we should get going now. How was school?" We start walking.

"Meh, it was alright. I actually don't mind it too much, it gives me something to do. There was this really annoying guy though and he-"

"A guy?" Ace cuts me off.

I nod slowly and say, "Yes...a guy. He kept bugging me with these lame pick-up lines-"

"Pick up lines?" Ace cuts me off again, with a slightly irritated look on his face.

"Yeah, he kept telling me some horrible pick-up lines and poking me-"

"He poked you?"

"Would you stop doing that?!" I say in frustration.

"Doing what?" He responds.

"You keep cutting me off and parroting the last word I say in each sentence." I huff in exasperation.

A look of realization flashes on his face, before he says, "Oh...I couldn't help it."

I just smile and continue. "So long story short, this annoying kid kept annoying me, and then when I finally did speak to him, I got in trouble for talking! And then he acted so innocent and it was frustrating. But other than that, everyone seemed to ignore me. It wasn't too bad."

"I'm happy to hear your day wasn't too bad...but if that boy causes anymore problems, just let me know. I don't really want him going near you." Ace says as he glances down at me.

Uhm....jealous much? Eh, it's probably just me.

I just roll my eyes and say, "Yes, of course I will tell you if there's any problems, but....I go to school with the kid. It's not like I can escape him. Plus, he sits right next to me."

"He sits next to you? I need to call the school to change the seating arrangement-"

"Ace, calm down. I don't like him, nor will I ever like him. I can tolerate him, I'm sure. No need to be jealous." I tell him.

He snickers and says, "Jealous....you think I-I'm jealous? That's....that's the craziest thing I've ever heard. I don't get jealous. I'm just....I'm just protective. Yeah, that's the word. I'm protective, certainly not jealous." Ace says, continuing his scoffing.

"J-jealous...I can't believe....jealous....Hey, why are you looking at me like that?" Ace asks, stopping his rant when he notices my eyes that are staring at him.

I shrug and say, "Simple. Because I don't believe you. No need to deny it any longer. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I can read people's emotions like a book."

Ace just rolls his eyes and mutters 'whatever' under his breath. He's still in clear denial and I can't help the smirk that makes its way onto my face.

Jealous.

Ace was jealous over me.

So I guess I'm not the only developing crush-like feelings....