Spark [ Enlight Series Book One ]

School Pain

 Alexis turned away, like she had done many times before. She took the seat behind the bus driver, since it was the only place where she was sure apple juice wouldn't be poured purposely on her head. 

Sure, the bus driver disliked her, for, of course, making her drive extra and on quite difficult routes, but she didn't allow bullying on her bus. 

Thank goodness. The bus pulled over a few more stops, picking up either disgusted, mean, or terrified children. Almost all of them had their face twisted in a mean scowl whenever they passed her, but that Alexis could live with. On the last stop, a girl about Alexis's age stumbled on the bus, looking very awkward. She walked in front of the empty seat across from Alexis, which was obviously unoccupied.

 "Can I sit here?" she asks. Without waiting for an answer, which probably wouldn't have come, she plopped herself in the seat. She dug into her bag and grabbed a Snicker bar, already peeling on the wrapper and taking a huge bite.

 Alexis saw through the corners of her eyes, the bus driver pursing her lips tightly. Although eating on the bus was a strict rule, everyone did it anyway. Alexis expected the bus driver to speak, but she only continued glaring at the new girl, saying nothing. 

" Shoo, washyo nahamsh?" The girl said, with a mouthful flowing on snicker bar bits. Alexis winced. She turned around, near enough to throwing up than she preferred. 

" What's your name?" The girl tried again. Alexis didn't answer. The girl kept on trying to squeeze a word out of her, without success. Finally she gave up and turned around to talk to the people behind her. 

The bus pulled up to the school at last, and every kid flew past her, eager to get out of the bus. Alexis waited until everyone left so she could make her departure. 

The bus driver took a deep breath and looked at Alexis as if to tell her something, but changed her mind at the last minute. 

Alexis sped away, watching her step, and walked toward the gym, a place where everyone would be wondering what the first day of school would bring. Alexis had to admit, she was also curious. All she hoped was that nobody would talk to her, most likely the opposite of what everyone else would pray for. 

She gave the spectating teachers a curt nod, and continued her way into the gym. As soon as she entered, the loud chatter made her temporarily deaf. 

It was so loud that Alexis could hardly make use of her thoughts. A teacher was hopelessly trying to silence them, but was evidently failing. Alexis felt truly bad for him. Alexis chose a mostly, but not quite, full bleacher to sit on. 

She took a book and began to read silently.She felt the gaze of many people on her. It made her squirm uncomfortably. It wasn't unnormal, but it didn't make it any less weird. She flipped through the pages of her book, not really reading it. 

When the teacher yelled, sounding relieved that it was time to go, Alexis gathered her things and raced out of the gym. She walked quickly to her homeroom and took a seat in the dark, back corner desk. 

She grabbed her notebooks for the day and placed all her things behind her chair, because they hadn't been assigned a locker yet. She doodled in her notebook, as more kids poured in the classroom. She watched, from the corner of her eye, as kids gave her nervous glances and took seats as far from her as possible.

 Alexis signed internally. This wasn't unusual either. Finally, as the last kids were coming in, the teacher entered the room with certified elegance.

 Her smile stretched painfully across her face, making it look fake. But she held obvious importance and respect with the students because their chatter ceased as soon as she entered. Everyone watched as she rested her books on a silk covered desk. The class waited breathlessly for her instructions.