The Boy across the Street

My alarm woke me up. I groaned and made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. Must we really have to go to school five out of seven days a week?

I wore a t-shirt and some tights with my white sneakers. I didn't feel like putting on makeup, so I didn't apply any. I'm actually not really of a fan of making up. On the days I do, it's just a little bit of foundation, an even smaller amount of concealer and some blush, and of course my lip gloss. Today I just applied lip gloss and tied my hair into a ponytail. I literally do not go anywhere without lip gloss.

And this is a fact: Nothing beats the brown lip liner and clear lip gloss combo!

When I was satisfied with my look, I grabbed my backpack. I wasn't hungry, so I just took an apple and left the house after wishing my dad a good day at work. My mom was on morning shift at the hospital, so she had left already.

****

When I got to school, Stephanie was waiting for me by my locker

“Hey Steph”, I greeted. Before she could even respond, I added, "Yes, I did my homework.”

She giggled and asked, "You good?”

“Yup.”

Just then, the bell rang and we went together to homeroom.

****

Finally, the lunch break bell rang - the only thing I look forward to in school aside the closing bell.

“Okay, class, we will continue tomorrow,” our literature teacher said and everyone rushed out.

I had to get the books I'll need for the next class before I went for lunch, as I didn't want to be tardy.The last time, I was late and I received a warning, a rather embarrassing one might I add. And I am definitely not letting that happen again. I'm certain I'm not the only person who desperately anticipates the lunch break bell every single day of school, so I waited a few minutes after everyone left to be sure the hallway won't be so crowded. When I got out of the class, there were a few people in the hallway. They probably had the same plan as me.

After taking out my chemistry textbook, I banged my locker shut and was making my way to the cafeteria when I heard a bang from the metal locker doors behind me. Something or someone had banged on one of the lockers. I turned.

Audrey.

She had shoved a girl, a freshman, I presume, against one of the lockers. I walked to them. By them, I mean Audrey, Lesley; her best friend and a few other girls. They were laughing.

I noticed the girl was wearing glasses. Her books had fallen, and she looked like she was about to cry. Typical of someone who's usually the target of high school bullying. I helped her up.

“Get lost, Audrey.”

“No one needs you here, Summers”

“Are you okay?” I asked the girl in glasses. She nodded shyly.

She gathered her books and muttered a small thank you before heading in the direction of the cafeteria.

"Thank you," Audrey teased her by trying to mimic what she said but in a mean way. You get what I mean?

“Oh really?” I turned to reply to Audrey. “No, tell me, what do you achieve by torturing other people?”

“I don't 'torture' people”, she made imaginary quotation marks in the air with her fingers, "I just do what I feel like…."

“And what's our business if it affects other people or not”, Lesley finished it up.

“Am I right? ”, she gave her a high five and they cackled. Yes, cackled.

I rolled my eyes. Nothing annoys me more than this girl.

“People like us - no wait, people like me already know who you are and what you love to do; we don't really care, but just leave the freshmen out of your games.”

“You don't tell me what to do.”

“You're right, I don't tell you what to do. In time, someone will teach you girls a lesson.”

“And I suppose that someone is you”, they laughed again.

"Look, Audrey,” saying her name alone makes me want to barf, “I don't have time for this. And I certainly will not waste my precious lunchtime on you.”

Without another word, I just turned and left. My cheesecake was waiting for me.

“What took you so long?” Steph asked when I plopped down at the lunch table.

We had separate classes before lunch on Wednesdays, so I hadn't seen her since homeroom.

“Audrey was pestering one of the freshmen again.”

“Ugh, that girl”

“I know right.”

“She needs some lessons.”

“That's exactly what I told her”, I laughed.

My laugh turned into a scowl when I heard the bell ring.

“But I haven't had my lunch yet!”

“Poor you. Let's see how you'll survive history on an empty stomach.”

“You know, for my best friend, you're really mean to me sometimes.”

“Aww, baby, if I were you, I would start stuffing my face with cake.”

“Good idea.”

Oh my God, the cheesecake was good. Too bad I don't have enough time to savour it.

I'll get you for this Audrey! I swore in my head

****

For the rest of the day, I kept on fantasizing about how good that cheesecake tasted on my tongue, the cheesecake I didn't get to enjoy because of that real life Cruella. As soon as I got home, I went straight to the kitchen to look for something to satisfy my growling stomach, preferably something sweet to pacify myself.

Fortunately for me, I opened the fridge door to meet an oh so magnificent slice of pie staring at me.

Oh, thank goodness.

I hurriedly took it out and put it in the microwave to heat for my eating pleasure. The mere sight of it when I took it out of the microwave made my mouth water. The aroma was heavenly.

The pie tasted as good as it looked but I'm sure it was bought because even though my mom was an amazingly good cook and baker, the pie had a certain taste which I didn't think was homemade.

I downed a glass of juice after my little afternoon snack, and I felt like a living being again.

For the rest of the afternoon, I watched TV until my parents came back and we had dinner.

After my usual tradition of washing the dishes after everyone was done eating, I retired to my room to prepare a little for school tomorrow because falling back on my grades was the last thing I wanted especially after the car my parents bought me. They most likely would bring it up in every conversation that I took their generosity for granted.

I really hated school, but what could I do since it was a major part of my life?

I felt I had done enough studying after thirty minutes, so I decided to go to bed.

Life is hard.