Chapter 2

After dropping out of the cheer team, I incidentally fell ill for a few days and when I returned it was already Monday. 

When I started getting ready that Monday morning, I found myself staring at my usual pair of jeans and grey t-shirt, feeling as if something wasn’t right. I quickly shoved them back into my closet as I realized I didn’t have to wear them. They were never my own choice but Kel’s. Looking at them now in my otherwise extremely pink closet was almost comical.

She had always made sure we understood everyone associated with her should favor simplicity and neutral colors in the way they dress. 

Now, I have no issue with her style, just that she forced it onto everyone who wished to be graced with her presence. Grey, white, and black were all considered acceptable. 

If you wished to have a pop of color, a muted shade of moss green and some shades of brown were also fine by her. 

Navy blue, however, was Kel’s color. I could tell why she favored it so much, as it was a shade close to her eye color but darker, just muted enough to make them pop in contrast. I almost understood why she had forbidden everyone else from wearing the shade, but only almost.

I didn’t even notice how the time flew by as I found myself overwhelmed with the clothes I now had the freedom to choose from.

**

When I finally made it to school, I had missed our math class and it was time for biology. As I entered the classroom all the heads in the back row, occupied by Kel&Co, turned to me and then the whispering ensued. 

I walked over to the teacher, Ms. Garnet, who was at her desk and quietly apologized for being late. I then went on to ask to be reseated. When I had glanced over to the back of the class, I’d noticed my previous seat had been taken over by someone’s feet. 

Even if my seat was free, there was no way I was mentally prepared to sit next to the people who currently looked like lions eyeing up their next meal. Our desks were also paired up, so I would’ve been within half a meter of someone who used me as an ashtray when we were "friends". Or at the very least teammates. 

Even just the previous week I would've thought being out of the team would mean I was safe now, since “the outsiders are boring”. Ever since Kel's suggestion to possibly target an unsuspecting student, I was not quite as confident.

Ms. Garnet adjusted her glasses as she looked up at me before scanning the classroom.

 "There is a free seat on the third row, next to Ansel"

She kept her voice low, barely loud enough for me to hear her. I followed her eyes to a seat near the window where Ansel seemed to be doodling in his notebook, and thanked her.