I pull out my schedule again and look down at the name assigned at the bottom. Elizabeth Johnson. It will be a big change from my old one. But, I am happy that I can try to have a fresh start and forget about the life I am leaving behind. Try to.
I throw on my hoodie right as the 2nd period bell rang. The students stumble out of their classrooms and huddle around the lockers, chatting away. Trying to avoid human contact, I pull up my hood and re-read my next class’ room number. Finally proving myself I have it memorized, I begin walking to my next class.
Unlike at my old school, this year I just plan to keep my head down and be completely uninvolved. Stay away from drama, social media, and anything that might draw attention to me. As I walk right into my class all the students already seated turn their eyes to me, as does the teacher. A forced smile pulls at his face, and he starts.
“Ah, you must be our new student. Elizabeth isn’t it?” The old man asked somewhat happily. I nod to his question, in my mind scolding him for blowing the idea of me staying under the radar. “Would you please tell me and the class somethings about yourself.” He continued in a statement instead of a question. Again I nod.
“Uh… Hi um, my name is Elizabeth Johnson. I’m 18. And I’m in my senior year, just as all of you. Is that okay?” I add turning to the teacher. He shakes his head.
“How about you take off your hood. How can we all hear about someone whose face we haven’t even seen?” He explains with a chuckle. I follow his orders and draw my hood. The large flowing curls fall out of their case and cascade down my back, just reaching the edge of my tailbone. The people in the room widen their eyes at the sight they are witnessing. A sight of a girl that had been burying her face in her oversized hoodie had just released herself to the crowd. The students all inhaled sharply in unison. The atmosphere changing suddenly into something intense. I trail my eyes away from the scene unfolding, and halt at my feet. A hand shoots into the air, but I had not noticed right away. Till a person lowly clears their throat. My eyes dart in the direction of the hand, nodding for them to begin.
“Did you know that you’re gorgeous?” The boy asks, a smirk falling on his face. The class suddenly breaks into a commotion. All the boys yelling to their friends, agreeing or shooting a whistle or two. But, the girls just glare in disgust, all except one. A girl sitting near the guys who were shouting, she gazed at my hair in envy.
“Thank you.” I respond, tugging my eyes back to the floor with a bright red face.
“Why don’t you take your seat Ms. Johnson.” The teacher then says trying to pull his class back into focus. I follow his eyes to the seat next to the boy who had just had his hand raised. A smile tugged at his lips as he realized that I will be sitting there. As does the girl on the other side of the seat, but the envious look still remains in the midst of her blue-green eyes. I nod and close the distance between me and my new seat, trying not to notice the eyes that are following me. Settling into my seat, I begin to pull my hood back on. Attempting to forget all of what happened in the last 5 minutes. My effort was cut short when a small hand pulls it back down.
“Don’t hide yourself, or your hair. Oh how I wish I could have hair like that. Is it naturally that curly?” The pretty girl on my right asks, gushing over my appearance. I answer in a nod, slightly embarrassed in how to answer, without knowing her name.
“Haha, I forgot. How rude of me. My name is Ryleigh.” The girl states reading my mind and holding her hand out. At which I shake Gently.
“And I am Liam.” The happy-go-lucky boy on my left states, pulling my attention away from Ryleigh. I shake again. His brown hair sweeps over his forehead, and his Icy blue eyes hold to my own hazel ones.
“Liam, shove off. I’m trying to get to know Elizabeth.” She says crossing her arms. Liam lets go of my hand holding his happy gaze for a moment longer. Till he finally glances over my shoulder to Ryleigh.
“Ry-Ry, you are just jealous that me and Lizzy here are already closer friends than you and her. She was my best friend first. Hop off.” He shoots at her. I guess I am Lizzy now.
“Whatever. But, seriously talk to one of your buddies or something.” Ry tells him. Liam does exactly that and turns to all of his friends sitting behind him, chiming into the conversations. The teacher turns to his computer and puts notes on the big screen. So, he is one of those teachers, one that expects for you to learn what he writes down. No interaction. When the class ends, the new students I had just met stood on either side of me, and walked me down the hall.
“Do you have spare next period?” Ry asks me.
“Yeah, you?”
“Sadly no, but Liam here does.” She answers gesturing to her friend on my left.
“Well-I planned to hang with the boys. Sorry liz.” Liam says plastering an unreadable look on his face.
“It’s fine I planned on just going to study hall. Or just-” I tried to say but was cut off. A shooting pain coursed through my lower abdomen. My hand flew to the place of the discomfort. I doubled over, taken off guard at the sudden change of feelings. Various hands held onto my shoulders and back. Causing the air I’m breathing to thicken and my sight to haze. Moments go by, as the voices of worry fill my head. After what seems like forever, I grab onto a nearby locker and try to stand. Shoving off the anxious students, I rush out of the school. Ignoring all of the comments I was getting. I leap into my car and lay the seat back, popping a few painkillers. I touch the scar that ran along my stomach.
I try to drown out the concern in my mind and forget the scene that just occured. This year was supposed to just go by wish no problems, and no attention drawn to me or my life. But, nothing ever goes how I plan. Nothing.
After deciding that I would skip the rest of the day to just rest and consider how I will go forward, I pulled out of the parking lot.
