Aria

"Ah!" I screeched when the loud blast of noise came in the form of a smack to the window.

"W-what?" My eyes were halfway open when I saw a whole flock of pigeons scattering around. Surprise, surprise, when I opened up the curtains, I saw the pigeon that crashed into my window, laying dead on the grass. Sort of like me on my late nights.

Really? I sighed especially once I checked my clock to see it wasn't even seven and I was now awake when I wanted to be sleeping.

With that in mind, I went downstairs and rubbed my very tired eyes. I felt my way through the kitchen until reaching the fridge. It was only after I got the orange juice in the cereal? Wait, what?

"You've got to be kidding me?" I asked as my eyes widened. "Seriously?"

This has been a weird day and I haven't gone to school yet. Then again, I was going on a Friday. A Friday. I was really considering doing a skip day like a lot of people in my class except I always end up going to school anyways. I wouldn't classify myself as a typical "good girl," I just have some freaky paranoia of getting abducted or killed if I did choose to skip. Lifetime movies may be unrealistic but they could still happen.

Speaking of Lifetime, I could hear the drama from my neighbors through the thin walls. I had to plug in my music. Not that I couldn't handle what was said, I just had no interest in listening in on a real telenovela. Plus they were so damn noisy, they could wake the dead. I simply ate my cereal in peace and went about my day.

The rest of the morning actually went by fast. Shower, outfit choosing, other general hygiene was all done like whoosh. I had just finished brushing my hair when I heard Papi walk in.

"Morning mija."

"Morning Papi."

He gave me a kiss on my forehead before grabbing his food. "You ready for school?"

"Yep." I nodded. "It's just like any other day."

"Good attitude."

"Yeah." I continued nodding. "It's just another day..."

Ah, if only reality were so kind.

When I arrived, there was a red banner in the spirit of our school colors, plastered on the wall. A lot of people were crowded outside that I felt like I was back at that Miley Cyrus concert which I was dragged to. Bad memories though unforgettable at the same time.

On my way down the hall, I saw that cute, southern guy with the glasses and always chic in the way he dressed.  His name was Lyle Calhoun and he was whiter than snow yet could brighten the day no matter what came out of his mouth.

"Save the wolves!" Lyle exclaimed as he attempted to pass out flyers. "Or the pandas or something. Either way, you're helping the world!"

He looked around and lunged forward with a flyer. "Care to support the movement?"

He moved to the right and did the same. "How about you guys over there?"

"Shut up, loser!" one of the tough assholes shouted before they tossed half their sandwich at him.

It got him right in the face to which he froze, licked his lips and said, "Thank you, future dropout for your contribution. That-that was really kind."

Poor guy, I immediately inched toward the napkin dispenser and handed him some to clean up that leftover mayonnaise.

"Thanks," he said.

"No problem." I nodded and looked both ways before leaning in and whispering. "A word of advice, don't try so hard. It makes you look desperate."

"Oh I'm not desperate."

"Really, because you definitely got that crack monkey act going on. That's for sure." I laughed.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Uh-huh." I briefly nodded again as the bell rang.

I turned away for a moment before facing him again. "I'll see you later."

"Wait, what's your–"

By the time he could react, I was halfway down the hall. I would've told him my name but time escaped me.  Though we'd meet again later. Funny enough, it was only a few hours before I was back in the hall, trying to find my next class.

"Okay, room 334 uh... where the hell is that?" I asked ignoring the fact I was talking to myself. I searched the third floor up and down yet it seemed to be out of reach. It made no sense though, I've been here all four years yet still get lost. Ugh, maybe I was just getting old. 

In the midst of me being lost, the jock crew came barreling through the hallway.

"So I was at Paula's house and she was like so hot!"

"She got that ass though."

"Yeah bro. Nice and thick," said the team's linebacker making the grabby hand gestures. He had on a blue jersey, matching long socks, black cargo shorts, and striped basketball shoes of those same colors. I never talked to him but I knew that was the notorious Johnny Kane. The blonde hair, buff body, and streak of sheer testosterone could go for miles with that one.

His buddy Logan, who sported a blue jersey, responded by saying, "Could you imagine tapping that?"

"All day, every day bro."

Good god, I cringed and took my detour right away from the route I was going to which ironically led me to the right place.

"Whew." I remarked once I made it to class. Though seconds later, my relief was crushed when a familiar voice followed me inside.

"Oh hell no." I muttered to myself. I faced the door and in came Johnny, Damon, Campbell or whatever his name is, and Steven laughing their asses off over the same shit as before. I tried to avoid being near them and thanks to Mr. Vatrop... Assigned seats! Yay. As luck would have it, I was placed next to these guys.

"She was totally into me." Johnny bragged.

"Aw shit dude!" Damon laughed. "Tricia's gonna ride you like a train."

"More like a horse."

Really? My face deadpanned the moment he said that. My reading of Secretariat now was ruined and it was just getting good. I was so tempted to say something but couldn't bring myself to do it.

"Something wrong there, Dora?" Campbell asked.

I turned my head and they all stared back at me. "Uh, you did not just refer to me as Dora like the one who explores shit every day."

"Well I thought it was a clever nickname." Johnny chipped in his two cents.

"Yeah and I thought that–"

"Did you have something to say Miss Lopez?" Mr. Vatrop interrupted.

The whole class was now staring me down where I shook my head and said, "Nope."

"Good. Now as I was saying, there's a reason we still use math in our day-to-day lives."

The guys snickered and I tilted my head, stuck out my tongue and silently mocked them back. They glared and then went back to talking amongst themselves. Once I was left alone, time steadily picked up again. Just as I was about to fall asleep, the bell rang and lunch was here.

When lunch rolled around, I found myself gazing out at the open cafeteria. Everyone was buzzing with each other, laughing, eating, living life. For me, it was harder because I wasn't a social magnet with tons of friends. So instead of planting myself at a table filled with people, I sat down at an empty table where I saw a girl with sunglasses reading a book at the end. She was real pretty not to mention, the smooth, olive skin and the semi-gothic look almost made me want to socialize with her. Though as I was about to slide down, she raised her head up. She had a black hood on and struck me as this badass bookworm type girl. Yet there was something about her that worried me a little. There was this vibe that gave me chills inside. Before she could notice me, I moved tables again. I didn't know what came over me but it sure was something.

Whatever I felt was so strong, that I went over to the table with my Latina sisters only for one in particular to slap her hand down on the table. 

"Um, I don't think so," she said with such a conceited tone. I looked at her to see Esmé Valdez being her usual bitchy self while fashioned with the dramatic eyeshadow and mascara. "You see, only the real girls can sit here."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked while crossing my arms.

"Maybe lose some weight, ride a dick or two, and we'll talk."

Okay, being 5'8 and a healthy 175 pounds wasn't all that bad, neither was being a virgin. It wasn't like she was living the high life either yet somehow was having a much more fun time than I was. Then again, who cares what she thinks? She ain't the boss of me though she was more popular and influential which was not good for me. Not at all.

I was on my towards leaving when I heard her say, "What a stupid bitch."

You did not just say that, I felt a fire burning in my heart as I slowly turned around and scoffed. "Were you sayin' something?"

"Yeah." Esmé fired back. "What are you gonna do, pendèja?"

At that point, my fists were clenched and all the girls at that table turned their heads as Esmé stood up across from me with her arms folded and a smug grin plastered on her face. "That's right, coño. You ain't gonna do shit."

I was going to do it. I would whop her ass and knock her off that pedestal she stood on so proudly. I'd do it and I could be free. However, before I realized what was going down, Esmé grabbed my arm with brute force and dragged me down the hall leading outside.

"Stop!" I screamed while struggling to get away.

She wouldn't listen. After she let go, I laid on the gravel ground. She kicked me in my stomach as I groaned in pain. Even when she stopped, this was far from over.

"Maybe next time, you won't be such a retard." She spat and walked away laughing. I laid on the ground where my heart raced uncontrollably and my body shuddered with pain. My eyes blinked and each time she got further and further away. In a last ditch effort to get even, I extended my arm out and grasped onto her leg, pulling as hard as I could. I heard her fall face first onto the ground. Blood dripped from her nose which made my eyes go wide.

"You're dead to me." She hissed as she covered face.

I nearly had sympathy but then shook my head and told her, "That makes two of us."

I pulled her leg again and dragged her closer. She swatted at me profusely though I blocked her slaps. This wasn't the first time this type of thing has happened though the way this was going, it better be the last. I wasn't gonna go through this again.