May 15, 2020 edited

Not perfect but better...No plot changes

The halls were pretty filled by now and everyone was staring. Being a new kid in school always added attention but being a new kid in a small school added more looks, whispers and glares. I did notice a few kids that I spotted around the house yesterday but they ignored me and huddled in their groups. I was completely fine with that.

Math class went by quickly with the exception of doing the whole introducing myself in front of the class. Why did teachers get off on that? Mr. Arnold, my math teacher, must have been bored because not only did I have to stand up and tell everyone who I was, he also made each student do the same. It was a complete utter waste of time. Not even 5 minutes later I didn't remember one name but it wasn't like I even tried to pay attention. I just hoped that this little scene would not replay itself in my other classes. Now I sat in Mrs. Smith's history class. She took a moment to introduce me herself then headed straight into a synopsis on what we would be learning this semester. Once again I paid little attention. The stares and murmurs from the other classmates were spreading my patience thin. I was so attempted to turn around and scream 'boo' just to see if they jumped or peed their pants. Yes the tension was growing that thick.

I wasn't sure if I was happy it was lunch or dreaded it. This morning I found an envelope with some money in it with a note for Uncle Thomas stating the money was for lunch this week and hoped I had a great first day. At first I was a little miffed. I don't like being treated as a charity case but I knew deep down he was just trying to help me. It was a nice gesture, I just took most things the wrong way. If I had the time to eat a proper breakfast I would have skipped lunch but I was starved so I headed to the cafeteria. I held in a groan as soon as I stepped through the doors. It was already packed and loud. Hesitating for a minute to get a quick look around the first thing I saw was Nick sitting at the table with the skanks and jocks. No real surprise there. At least I know I could avoid that area pretty well. The second was the lineup for the food. It was long but seemed to be moving pretty fast. Turning the direction to the food I stood in line but kept my attention to my surroundings. I seemed to luck out because right after the food line ended was a set of double glass doors that headed outside where there were tables and chairs as well as a few unoccupied trees. A perfect spot for a few minutes of quiet and to eat in peace.

As I glanced around while I waited in line I noticed Nick and his little crew grow quiet with a few holding back snickers. I already knew what was probably going to happen. I have seen this far too often. There was a guy about my height carrying a tray of food while pushing up his glasses to sit firmly on the bridge of his nose. From where I stood I could see his soft brown hair that was in need of a cut soon, his well pressed clothes (not designer but nice) and his complete lack of self preservation. A small part of me wanted to yell at him to move but the bigger part just shook my head and watched what was about to happen. Why couldn't people be more aware of their surroundings especially around people like Nick?

As soon as the kid reached Nick his foot shot out catching the kids foot unaware. The next thing the poor kid was sprawled out on the floor face first with his tray of food scattered in front of him. Of course Nick and his groupies roared with laughter while the kid stumbled to his feet and picked up what was salvageable to still consume. Just watching had me seeing red. I am far from being anyone's saviour and I had no intentions on starting now but I so badly wanted to put my steel toe boot in Nick's face. The guy was a complete asshole. Plus I despised bullies.

While thoughts ran through my mind on all the nasty things I would like to do to Nick I quickly found my way to the front of the line. Grabbing a slice of pizza, a juice and an apple I had paid and was out the glass door a couple minutes later. Finding an unoccupied tree I sat and enjoyed my food leaving all thoughts about that poor kid and Nick behind.

Science flew by after lunch and I was heading to the gym. I figured I was going to love most of this class or absolutely hate it. I guess I would find out soon enough. As soon as I walked in the coach threw me the gym uniform and pointed me to the change room. It was just your typical black shorts and black and gold t-shirt. Nothing fancy but also nothing to gawdy. Changing in no time I was back in the gym sitting on the bleachers with the rest of the class. I heard the booming laughter before I spotted the single reason I was pretty sure I was going to hate this class. Nick. Out of all the classes he would have to ruin for me it was my favorite. I was amazed how one person could put me in such a fowl mood just by their presence alone. This was going to be a long 90 minutes.

"Ok class, settle down. For the next 4 weeks we will be working on our endurance." There were mostly groans coming from my fellow classmates. Me on the other hand perked up with the thought. "Everyday we will meet here then head out to the track. You will be running laps all week and then on Friday I will be testing you on an obstacle course." Most of the guys hooted and hollered at this while the girls cried out in defeat. I was just as excited as the guys on this one. "Tomorrow we will start timing you but for today get your butts out there and get the feel for the track. Move it!" With the coach's very loud and obnoxious whistle we all stood up and moved quickly to the back doors and out to the track. Now I didn't feel bad for cutting my morning run short since I was going to run in gym class as well.

Just like the clicks in school the students started to run in their own little groups. Nick and his merry men of jocks took the lead followed by me then the students that actually wanted to try followed by the girls that only ran so the guys would watch them and then of course the stragglers that thought taking a class in phys ed was an easy grade. I guess they would learn the hard way.

We were on our second lap and Nick and his friends were closing in on the slowest of the group still fighting their way on the first lap. I was going at an easy pace. I wanted to push myself more but I didn't want to get stuck in the middle of Nick and the gang so I held back. By our third lap we had past most of the stragglers and I could see that the guys were up to no good again. Seriously why couldn't anyone else see this? Between their chuckles and soft whispers I knew they had found another victim already.

I was really trying hard to ignore them all but for some reason I couldn't. I never got involved in this shit before so I didn't understand why it was bothering me so much now. Ok that was a lie. I did do a little payback once in a while but no one ever knew. Then I spotted who they had set their eyes on. It was him again. The same poor kid in the cafeteria. What was their problem with this kid? They were all easily twice his size and he looked like the type who kept to himself so why did they feel the need to single him out? I watched as they all sped up a bit and parted enough that ended up with this poor kid smack in the middle. One second they were all running side by side and the next all I could see was a head falling forward then the guys running forward. Yep the poor kid was eating dirt. I swear he actually bounced a couple times before skidding across the grass a couple feet. Shit that must have hurt.

I actually thought about stopping for a minute to help him up but my focus landed on the idiot that shoved the kid to begin with. Damn I really hated bullies. Maybe it was time for them to get a taste of their own medicine. As I heard the coach yelling to the kid to get up I pushed my legs a little harder. Halfway around the track I was right behind Nick's group. They were still chuckling and didn't even realize I was so close. The one I wanted was running in the front right beside Nick. I did not want to be within 10 feet of Nick but I told myself this was for a good cause. I pushed my legs a little more, just starting to feel the burn I craved for every morning, letting me know I still had at least a good 4 laps left before I would be fighting my body to keep the pace I was going at now. Squeezing between the last of the group I heard a 'what the hell' and a 'shit'. That was what got Nick's attention. When he turned his head to look behind him there was shock in his eyes right before a smirk filled his face. I ignored him and the other 4 guys I passed. I thought Nick would have pushed himself to go faster but he didn't. He stayed the pace he was at. I wasn't sure if he was curious on why I was running in the middle of them or if he was about to do something stupid. Still I ignored him. My goal was set for the idiot that was beside him and the one that either didn't know I was behind him or didn't care.

The last thought had my lips twitch into a smile. The downfall on that little glimpse of amusement on my face was that Nick noticed and I saw his eyes narrowed but he also knew I was not watching him. No, my attention was for his buddy. One last burst had me smack in the middle of Nick and his buddy. I seen Nick's mouth open as to say something but it was that moment my foot "accidentally" slide over and caught his buddies foot which made him trip and then a well placed elbow, of course another accident since the guy had trip and leaned over my way, in the ribs and the guy went down hard. It was beautiful because not only did he end up eating dirt but the two guys behind him didn't jump in time and ended up in a pile of arms and legs.

I spun around and started to run backwards with my hand over my mouth in shock at what had just happened. "Oh! I am so sorry!" HA! I was even able to keep the smile off my face. I must say I was a pretty damn good actress when I wanted to put the effort into it. Well I thought so anyways. The look in Nick's eyes may have said different but then he started to laugh and kept on running. I turned back around and finally started to run the pace I wanted to. Two more laps and the coach blew his whistle. I wanted to run a couple more laps but laughing while running made it all that much harder to breath.

Walking around in a large circle willing my body to cool down I felt Nick beside me before I saw him. "I am not sure if you are hot and sexy or hot and dumb with a death wish." I heard more amusement in his voice than malice.

"I really don't care what you think of me as long as it is farther than 3 feet of my physical being." With that said I turned around and headed back to the gym where the rest of the students were heading.