Vivacious

ALEX

Love. This four letter word we toss around so easily. What does it mean to love? What is love? I ask myself these same questions every day and still have yet to find an answer. I bet your wondering who this pathetic excuse of a human being is. My name is Alex Coral, I’m a seventeen-year-old virgin who could never do anything but follow society and it’s fucked up rules. You could say I’m unhappy with life I suppose. You might be asking yourself ‘What the hell is this chicks problem?’ well to be honest with you I don’t quite know myself. Maybe it started with never having a father, or maybe having a mother there every day...to abuse me. I just love a bit of dark humor. My father was smart, he left as soon as he knocked up my mother. Best choice he could have made because soon after I was born my mother started to drink. Better love story than ‘Twilight’. She’s been drinking for as long as I can remember. She got worse over the years...then began the beating. I have some scars but I’m never too stupid to show them off. Why? Can’t you go get help? Yes, I can, but I don’t care. I’d rather have her suffer then leave this life. After she goes too far I hope I die, and she lives with it in prison the rest of her hopeless fucking life. Somewhat of a righteous suicide, you could say.

“I said get out little shit.”

A familiar voice snapped me out of my depressing thoughts. Then I realized where I was. Ah, the place where all kids different and alike are thrown together to torture one another for 180 days, School.

“Sorry, I’ll get out now,” I reply to my mother with a hint of aggression.

“Talk to me with that tone again I’ll leave more than just scars.” She responded to me raising her hand a little.

I grabbed my bag and slammed the car door. I could hear her yell the word ‘bitch’ and chuckled. I walked through the main door and headed straight towards my locker. I wonder what she’ll do today? A belt till my skin goes raw? Punches me repeatedly until my face is bruised? Anything over the top I guess. All of this because I called her a bitch. I chuckled at my comment and walked into the classroom. I always choose to sit in the back to get away from living High-School clichés. Before the teacher starts the lecture I stare at the only person in school who doesn’t bore me. Landen Fowler was his name if I remember clearly. Don’t get it wrong I don’t like him. I haven’t had a ‘crush’ in years. He just interested me. He was different from the rest, he was kind of like me. He stayed away from others and kept to himself. He was smart. A mystery. I was brought out of my...daydream by the teacher who walked into the classroom. The lecture was boring as always. At least it kept me away from my thoughts. As soon as the bell rang I got up and started to pack my things.

“Excuse me Miss Coral but the bell does not dismiss you, I do.” Said my teacher using that typical remark. Everyone had their eyes on me. Either I say something and get stuck here, or get abused at school and at home. Yes, it’s not a big deal but I don’t care.

“If that’s the case what’s the point of the bell?” I said smartly looking her straight in the eye. I continued to pack my things and as soon as I was about to walk out she called out,

“Detention!”

I chuckled and left the classroom anyway. I was used to detention. I knew what class to go to. I had about 10 minutes before detention. I knew I could text my mom but she would be twice as mad if I didn’t. As I was walking to the room I spot Landen. Do I want to say hi? Crap. Alex why are you nervous?! Is this a crush? No way. I refuse to like someone, too many complications.

He sits down right next to me. I keep staring at my phone playing a game and pretend like I don’t see him. Then I feel my mind start to slip away. What if he likes me back? It won’t hurt to try Alex. Who knows maybe he can give you a reason to li--I cut them off. I know what I want, and nothing will stop me. I shake my head at the thought and realize he was still there during my mini panic attack.

“You alright?” He chuckled. God....why?

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I replied nervously, did I sound rude?

“I’m Landen.” He held out his hand.

“I’m Alex...” I said hesitantly.

’That was quite the stunt you pu--“He was cut off by a gut-wrenching scream.

I stood up quickly and looked around to find out where it was coming from. What could the hell have happened? I see Landen get up and rush towards the school’s window. I nearly vomit when I saw a young man eating away at our teachers face. This was it. The day my life changed forever. The day my plan changed forever. I was terrified. I ran...away from Landen, my mom, my dad, my past. I just ran. But you can't run forever...