3 Powder Puff Girl

Being able to make an easier choice on wardrobe, do to seeing how relaxed all the other kids at the school dressed. I was down stairs early. Of course, my Nan was there in her spot at the stove. Fried apples, gravy, bacon, and biscuits on the table waiting for me to consume as much as my belly will hold. It was my favorite breakfast. Nan turns to see me as I am sitting down. The smile that brighten ups her whole face is very catching. I cannot stop myself from doing the same. She walks over too me, grabs the milk on her way after pouring my glass she kisses the top of my head. Oh, how I love that old woman.

"Excited for school today?" she asks.

"Eh, we will see. It cannot be any worse than yesterday." I respond back to her. With that mom comes in the room, she's all dressed in her interview outfit. Nice royal blue button up tucked into high waisted black skirt and her black heels with her hair down curled away from her face. "Wow, mom you look great." I say to her.

"thanks honey, wish me luck. I really want this job at the hospital." She replied as she was stuffing bacon in her mouth and taking a drink of my milk.

"You've got this mom." I say as Nan tells her "No worries honey. The job is yours I am sure." Mom smiles and hurries out the door. That was my cue it's time for school.

Pulling into the parking lot, I decide not to park anywhere close to the spot as I did yesterday. Making my way up to the building, I see Amber out of the corner of my eye walking toward me. She was alone this time. It did not take long and she was by my side in step with me even. I look over at her, and she has this bright smile. It reminds me of Nan. "Hi" she says. "Hey" I reply. "I wanted to thank you for yesterday. Sasha is a real jerk sometimes and I try to ignore her but, well you know. Just wanted to say thanks" she speaks as we enter the building. "No problem" is all I could think to say. With that she nods and walks off.

Ok, that wasn't too bad. Maybe this will be a good day. I make my way to my locker, grab my books and head to my homeroom. Turing the corner I see Tristen and Marcus. Both are leaning against the walls on opposite side of the hall. Just staring at one another. Ok, I can do this. I do not have to be part of this stupid thing between them. So, I just keep walking. Right as I pass them, Tristen eyes turn to me and watches me walk right past them both. When I make it to my room, Marcus pushes himself off the wall and walks toward the room. You could hear him laughing but I did not know at what.

Walking to the back of the room, I find a seat in the middle row. Sitting down, I pull out my book and start to read. Making myself not pay any attention to any of them kids is what I need to do. It's like mom says, it is my choice who my friends are. Mrs. Rose, comes in and starts our day as normal. We all get ready to read out loud for most of class. Marcus, is sitting up front today, with most of his attention on a girl I believe is in his crew. Throughout class they do not read one word or even pick up their books. They were in their own discussion and Mrs. Rose did not even care. When class was over, I walk out and Marcus follows right on my steps.

"What class do you have now, Sunshine?" He asks but I do not turn to see if it was to me. Making my way to Physics I rush into class and just find an empty sit. Taking a deep breath closing my eyes, cold chills run up my arms. Opening my eyes, I jerk in my seat. There was Marcus standing in the door way, with a blank look on his face. After a second he turns and walks off. The bell sounds and class room fills up. That was too weird.

Making myself focus on the task in physics, and for the fact that I really struggle in this class, it seemed it took forever to end. When the bell sounds the end of class, out in the hall I saw Sasha waiting. Well, it seems that this day is not going to be good. She is right on my heels as I go to music class. "Well, isn't its little Power Puff Girl," Sasha said to my while she walked next to me. "Have you saved the day for anymore helpless victims yet?" she asked. I just kept walking, stopping was going to be the wrong decision for today, but my mouth was not on the same page as my head.

"No, I haven't but the day has just started and well, time will tell when you start being a bitch," I respond.

"I really do not see what is so special about you, "she said with disgust. This made me stop, where did that come from? I turn to her and her eyes are filled with so much revulsion.

"well, that's because there isn't any. I'm just a norm." I spat at her and walk off. This girl really has pushed my buttons. Ugh, the nerve of her. Really what is a Norm anyways? Stupid girl, she is just wanting to mess with me. With every step I am making myself breathe and think calm happy thoughts. After making it to class, I sit in the back again and pull out my sheet music. Mr. Marshall is already at the front of class writing lines of music on the board. And I see an old record player next to his desk, its playing classical and it is just what I need.

"Ms. McComas, please come here?" I hear over all the talking and beautiful harmonies of instruments. Walking up to him, I notice that I am taller than him. He is a tiny boney man with dark hair and beard that comes past his collar bone.

"Yes, Mr. Marshall," I say.

"I have heard wonderful things about you from your music teacher from your old school. Is it true that you can not only read music but can play it too?" He asks me. I cannot help a smile forming,

"Yes, sir." I reply to him.

"Oh, wonderful. So, you should be able to stay up with us for the rest of the class. It should not be hard for you to understand." He stated and walked back to his desk. Taking that as my dismissal, I walk back to my desk and get my pencil. I got a feeling that it is going to get a lot harder in this class now. Which would be great to keep my mind off things.

Feeling eyes upon me I look around the room without moving my head as much as possible to see if anyone's attention was on me. To the right of me a row behind me was the girl I saw yesterday with Amber. I turn my head looking over my shoulder and I see her waving at me. The smile that was on her face was a breath of fresh air. Someone for once was not showing me any negative for the first time since I started this crazy school.

Fourth period is not one that I look forward too. I know that I am going to have to deal with Tristen and hopefully it will be better than yesterday. Making it to class before everyone, I pull out my phone and find three texts from Autumn, my best friend back home. All missing me and forbidding me to ever not call her again. I reply It is crazy how strange these kids are. I can't wait to talk to you.

"Boyfriend huh?" I hear beside me and look to see Tristen. My heart stopped. I guess my face said my confusion, not for sure if it was of what he said or why he was next to me talking. He continued, "The smile that you had on your face as you were looking at it gave it away." Letting out the air that I was holding, I tried to pull myself together. Is this guy really talking to me now and being nice?

Looking down at the phone it clicks that he was talking about my text to Autumn. "Oh! No, it is from my bestie." I answer. With that he just nodes his head in acknowledgement and settles in his seat. Class starts and I pull out my notebook to follow along with the problems on the board. I look up to check my answer with the one on the board and I see a wad of paper come flying on my desk. Looking to my left, Tristen was eyeing forward but had a smirk on his face. I open the waded-up paper and scribbled on it was a message.

Why are you so serious all the time?

This kind of took me off guard. Confusion yet again, answers for me. To where I get another paper thrown at me.

Never see you smile

How would he know if I am never smiling? All he has ever done is stare at me and walk away. I felt my body get that excited feeling right before you unleash emotions. So, I wrote back,

When have I been given the chance to smile here?

I threw it back to him and missed his desk. The paper fell to the floor and he had to sneak to pick it up without being caught. After reading my note, he wadded up the paper and stuck it in his book bag. Well, that was the end of that conversation. I could feel his presence next to me. No matter how hard I tried to forget that he was there my body betrayed me. Feeling my body heat rise just thinking that he was so close to me and yet there was nothing from him, no emotion. This is starting to be a pattern with him. I have one guy who is nothing but full force raging hate towards me and then another who likes to say and do things that contradict each other. Ugh, how am I to make it to graduation.

It was time for lunch and everyone was getting up to leave and I have a folded paper placed on my desk. I look up to see Tristen standing next to me waiting for me to open it. As I do, I see a beautiful picture of a Lilly drawn in pencil. The way he captured the shading of the petals was unbelievable. I could not help myself but to smile. Looking up at him to say Thank you, he spoke before I could.

"There it is." He whispered. And at that he walked away. I put my picture in my bag and race out the room to stop him.