Rise -On Hold-

I woke up and thanked the lord that it was Friday, I loved Fridays as I used the weekends to prepare myself for the next week. I was happy that the bullying had been less than normally but that didn’t mean the next week would be as good. I entered the small kitchen and wasn’t surprised to see my sister sitting in the living room watching cartoons. I probably should mention that my sister and I live alone in a trailer, as our mother abandoned us. We don’t have a lot of money and I sometimes have to skip meals just to keep my sister healthy and well-dressed but that was a small price to pay to see her happy and healthy.

“Good Morning Sunshine, did you have breakfast?” I asked her and she held up her bowl and smiled at me but her smile didn’t reach her eyes “Em, I uhm need new shoes.” I heard the guilt in her voice and it made my heart ache because I felt terrible about making her worry about me. “We will get new ones after school okay?” I was already counting the money I would have left after this and it meant I needed an extra shift at the road diner, there went my free night. I made sure she had her lunch and I only grabbed a bottle pf water and an apple, which was enough for me. The only thing I had to do now was brush her hair and my own.

I stared at myself and saw the tired look in my eyes, which wasn’t weird as I didn’t get a lot of sleep. I wished I had the money for make-up but the only thing I did have was lip balm and mascara, which I used every day. I had big blue eyes, a lot of freckles and full lips. My hair was dirty blond and it had a wavy pattern but nobody really knew that as I always wore my hair in a ponytail or a high bun. I was too thin because of the lack of food but I was blessed in the boob department, I had an average check and an average height, this meant I could get clothes everywhere. I usually shopped at target or Walmart because they had the cheapest things and the plus sign was that they made me blend in, Amy did know about the clothes and she was the only one who bullied me for it. The clothes were mostly black and it did get me the name goth or emo, I was neither but there was no way I was going to stand up against them, so I mostly ignored it.

I threw one more look in the mirror “Well this is as good as it gets.” I said to my reflection. I grabbed my bag and Lucy’s and made my way into the “garden” Lucy was already waiting for me, she took my hand and together we walked towards her school, I kissed her cheek before walking to my own school and I was happily surprised that I was on time this time. I was a senior as I was seventeen, almost eighteen and I was at the top of my class and together with Michael who was my only friend, Michael was the definition of a nerd. He loved comics, science and watched a lot of sci/fi but that was something I loved about him and it made us fit as I loved books, tv shows and designing websites. We didn’t have a lot of classes together but we sat next to each other in bio. Well that was the case last year but the moment I walked into the classroom I immediately noticed the changes.

Michael was sitting at our table but next to him sat a girl I didn’t know. “Ah miss Mendez, thank you for honouring us with your presence.” The teacher had a point because I hadn’t attended this class for the entire week because I had to drop of Lucy. “I’m sorry sir.” I apologized but didn’t take a seat. “We only have one more spot left miss, please take the seat or leave my class.” I looked at the table he was pointing at and my heart flipped over a few times when I saw Liam sitting there, smiling at me but that was probably just my imagination because guys didn’t smile at me and certainly not the hit guys and he was definitely in the team hot guys.

I wish I had a different choice but as there wasn’t any I had no choice but to take a seat next to him so I quickly took the seat next to him and moved my chair as far as possible from him and he actually chuckled softly at this. I couldn’t help but look at him, it was like he was drawing me in. “Do I stink miss Mendez?” he asked smiling. I shook my head and darted my eyes at the book in front of me “you really don’t have to be nervous Emma, I don’t bite.” I chuckled nervously and put my hand in front of my mouth as this had never happened before and it even made Michael look up in surprise because only he knew about these nervous laughs but thanks to this I did feel more relaxed.
During class he was actually being nice to me and to be honest I wanted to talk to him but I was afraid that I was the main character in some sort of bet or a cruel joke and there was no way that I was falling for that. “Alright class, I want you all to work on an assignment to get to know each other better. Your partner is the person you sit with and I want this assignment back on my desk next Wednesday.” The bell rang after he said the last word. I sighed and took a deep breath before turning towards Liam. “You can e-mail your answers and I will make sure it’s handed in for the both of us.” I told him, whilst falling over the words but he just looked at me patiently, I scribbled down my e-mail address and tried to walk away but I didn’t come very far as he grabbed my arm.

“Wait a minute, I want to do the assignment together Emma.” I wasn’t really listening to what he said, I had only eyes for his hand on my arm, not because I didn’t like it but because it was strange as a guy never really touched me and certainly not this tightly and also everyone stopped doing what they were doing and stared at us. “Are you listening?”

“I’m sorry, what?” I was falling over my words again but again he didn’t seem to mind this. “Let’s meet at your place, as mine is still a mess from moving, is seven pm okay? I really want to do this together.”

“I..” I was literally stuck and it didn’t help that he kept staring at me with his very green eyes. “That settles it, I just need your address,” Someone was chuckling and I already knew who it was.

“No you don’t, she lives in the trailer camp, it’s the second trailer on the camp ground.” Amy put her hand on his arm, which grabbed his attention and without waiting for him to say something I ran away from them. I really was hoping he would forget about me. I ate my lunch outside behind a tree and I was soon joined by Michael who had heard it all and he even gave me a small hug. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, thank you for asking.” I wasn’t looking at him though because behind him there was the same girl as the girl who was sitting next to him at biology. “Hi I’m Dawn.” She shook my hand and as Michael felt comfortable around her I knew I could trust her. “Hi I’m Emma.”

Notes