The next two classes dragged on with the same boring instructions. I never paid much attention anyway and now I had some thing to fill my thoughts. Before I knew it, lunch was upon me. I waited in line with everyone and got the same uniform lunch that was slapped together.

Today’s poison was powdered potato mix with packet gravy, some form of meat, an organic apple that tasted like grass, and milk in a bag. I never ate any of it. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I usually just waited in line, sat down, and poked at the wiggly meat until the bell rang.

I wondered around looking for somewhere to sit. I wasn’t looking too hard though. I kept thinking about Kevin.

Something about him held my eye. It wasn’t just the fact he was the best-looking boy I had ever seen, it was something else. His voice was soft and relaxing. He was nice to not a stuck-up jerk like so many others. All in all, he gave a nice vibe. I questioned if I beginning to fall for this guy I had just meet? Kevin was different. There was something about him that drew me towards him.

My tray flew upward as someone smacked it snapping me out of my girly daze. I leapt out of the way but a little of the gravy dripped on me. I looked up with a mix of shock and rage. There stood the one girl who dared to cross me, Megan.

She was looking snootier than ever with her tightly curled red hair pulled away from her snickering face with a lime green hair band. She was wearing a long-sleeved shirt under a gray vest with some name brand logo on it. Her black pleated skirt was pulled way up high showing off her pale legs.

I hated Megan with a passion. She was rude, mean, and just an ugly person. Her only purpose in life was to shame me and get me in trouble. Almost every time we crossed paths someone got hurt mostly her or someone in her group she hid behind. I’ve even taken out a few of her passing boyfriends.

“Oops I didn’t see you their, El. My bad.” She said sarcastically. It took everything I had but I managed to turn around and walk.

“You got a little something on you.” She sneered. She just had to say something else. She sent me over the edge.

“I hope it’s not some of your ugly face. That stains you know.” I hissed.

A look of disgust crossed her face… just before she walked up and slapped me. I felt her hand print welt up on my cheek. It took three seconds for the shock to pass, and then I blew. I set both my fists and aimed them at her face. I knew I’d wail on her until someone pulled me off. I was going to pound her to dust before then. But before I could even through a single punch Kevin stepped between us. I took in a deep breath, to calm myself. In a normal day anyone who got in my way got it too, but I wouldn’t hit Kevin, I couldn’t. Megan saw my hesitation and narrowed her eyes.

“What’s going on?” he asked casually.

Megan sensed her chance to get at me yet again. “Oh, thank you. You saved me! El was going to hurt me just for bumping in to her. I told her sorry, but she came after me any way.” She played scared and clung to his arm.

“I’ll show you hurt! Quit hiding!” I screamed.

“You see!” she squealed in fear. She could clearly sense I had a crush on him and prodded at that to.

He looked at me in a silent question. His face also had a, “Were you really?” look to it. Then he saw the bright red hand mark on my face.

Who was I kidding anymore? I didn’t have a chance with him anyway. He saw how I really was, now it was too late. I weaved around him and went after her again.

He hooked his arm in mine and pulled me back. I was dragged out of the cafeteria against my will. The only great thing was Megan glared at us with such a burning hate, and I loved it.

On the way out, he grabbed a hand full of napkins and handed them to me. He didn’t say anything just looked at me. I took them and started cleaning my shirt. “Thanks.” I mumbled too ashamed to say anything.

“Does it hurt? Your cheek I mean. It looks like it stings.” He asked as we walked down the hall.

“Its ok. I’ve been hit harder than that before.”

“I hope not.”

“Can we just change the subject?”

“Ok” he nodded with an understanding grin. “What do you want to talk about?”

“How was your first day here? I bet you were Mr. Popular.” I poked at him.

“You have no idea.” He sighed

“Are you complaining?”

“I was home schooled. I’m not used to being flocked by school girls.”

“I bet your weekend is filled.” I said with little disappointment in my tone.

“Nine different girls asked me out and I told them all no.” he replied almost depressed.

“Why?” I was dumb struck.

“They didn’t know me. I’m the new guy, I’m different. That’s the only reason I’m getting any attention. I’m not interested in being a fad.”

“I wish more guys acted like you.” I sighed before I could stop myself. His eyes widened a little and he went to ask me something. The bell rang stopping what ever he was going to say. I detached myself from his arm and headed off to my next class. He swallowed whatever it was and waved. “I’ll see you later El!” he called over the growing sound of people moving in. I turned and nodded to him with a grin. Satisfied he walked away to.

The rest of the day was a blur. All I could think about was Kevin. What was he going to ask me? It was killing me not knowing. The way he took my side of the fight was just as confusing. I would have even bought Megan’s story if I didn’t know any better. He just assumed I did nothing wrong. It was the first time a guy stuck solely to my side. I was still thinking about this when I was walking home.

I felt little raindrops fall on my head, so I stopped to put my jacket on. When I went to walk again some guy walked right in to me, knocking me over.

“Oh, so sorry,” he offered his hand to me. I took it and he pulled me up with surprising strength.

“Its fine but watch where you’re going next time. This seems to keep happening to me.” I shook it off.

He kept staring at me as if puzzled. It was creepy and awkward.

“Can I help you?” I finally asked.

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I’m new around here. My name is Seth. What’s yours?”

I don’t know what it was, but I didn’t like him. He looked normal enough but still. He was about my age, maybe a little older, and just as tall as me. His short hair was too black to be natural, probably dyed. He had the look of a skater punk with his black hoodie, gray pants, and black sneakers. He was handsome by some standards but pale. It was his eyes I decided. They were coal black, and stone cold. They had to be contacts right? It didn’t matter to me though I still didn’t like him.

“Um, I got to go. Sorry for running in to you.” I purposely avoided his question.

“Maybe I could walk you home?” he tried to sound shy and failed. His sudden interest I me was apparent. Already freaked out by him I wasn’t sticking around any longer.

“No, its ok. It’s a really long walk. I don’t want to trouble you. I’ll just be on my way now.” I insisted and went around him.

“Ok then.” He narrowed his eyes. I had already started at a brisk pace when I heard him add quietly, “We’ll play it your way for now.”

I was so creped out I ran home. I thought he was going to follow me. He had come off as the kind of guy who would have a couple of body’s in his back yard, and I didn’t want to be next.

I slammed the door and made sure to lock both locks. Kenra would be home soon anyway then I’d be safe. I sighed leaning on the door in relief and took off my damp jacket. Deciding I was safe I headed to my room to change my cloths.

I swapped my tank top to some thing warmer. I put on an old brown long sleeved shirt that was three sizes too big. I had to pull the sleeves up to free my hands, but I was comfy and warm, even with my shorts on. Throwing my stained shirt in the hamper I saw my old basket of baby toys. I told Kenra I would put them in the attic a long time ago, but I couldn’t part with them.

Right on top was the little blue dragon I was found with. I loved this toy more than any of them. I was inseparable from it. It was adorable with its simile face and plump belly. I picked it up and sat on my bed. The cloth was worn thin and smooth from its overuse. I tossed it up in the air remembering the all the good times I had with it. When it fell back in to my hand the cloth at the stomach ripped. I was horrified when the stuffing fell it to my hand. I turned it over to examine how bad it was. Something clattered ad rolled across the floor A little round gem fell out of the opening and rolled across the floor.