8

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.

~Steve Jobs

It was Monday and just as I had hoped the rush had cleared on most parts of my body except for my face but it was not as bad as before, I could hide my face with a mask.

My mother an Arnold dropped me off at school and I walked into the premises going straight to my locker so I could get the books I needed for the first 3 periods.

“Hey hot stuff.” Marcus grinned slamming my locker shut. If I hadn’t moved away quickly he would have hurt my hand.

“Ooh she’s quick.” One of the guys he was with teased.

“Leave me alone.” I told them.

“What will you do if we don’t?” He taunted pushing me against the metal locker.

My back hit the locker with a lot of impact and I knew it was going to leave a mark.

“What, can’t speak anymore.” He taunted coming closer.

“Leave her alone you jerks!” A feminine voice growled from behind causing the group of guys attention to shift from me to her.     

“Excuse me?” Marcus glared moving away from me and towards her.

“You heard me asshole.” She spoke confidently.

“You little-”

“What’s going on here?” Raphael and another guy asked appearing out of the blues.

“Your asshole friends are picking on an innocent girl.” Emilia told them.

“Shut up you little slut.” One of the guys snarled causing the one beside Raphael to grab and throw him to the growled.

“Disrespect my girl again and I’ll snap your neck.” He warned and the guy nodded with fear.

“Marcus you and the boys go to the gym, I’ll find you there.” Raphael told him while holding the other guy back from doing any more harm.

Not saying anything Marcus and his gang went their way.

“Are you ok?” Emilia rushed to my side.

“I’m fine. Don’t touch me.” I moved away from her when she stretched her arm forward to touch me.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Raphael asked eyeing me intensely.

“I’m fine.” I responded and turned back to my locker, getting the books I would need, I closed it and started making my way to my first class.

“She doesn’t look ok.” I heard Emilia whisper.

“She said she is, give it a rest.” Her boyfriend responded.

“But babe-”

“But nothing Em, mind your own business.” Raphael told her.

Rolling my eyes I went entered my first class and took a seat at my usual spot which was the first desk in the middle column. After a few minutes students walked in and settled before biology teacher walked in.

Half way through the lesson, I my head begun to ache but I ignored it because my focus was centered on taking down points the teacher that I thought were important and would prove to be useful when I studied the topic at hand. Two crimson droplets fell onto the crisp white page of my notebook, I quickly rose my brought my hand to my nose to check if I was bleeding and I was. The flow of blood increased quickly and without asking for permission I rushed out of the class to the ladies room.

“Darn it.” I groaned washing my nose and trying to stop the bleeding but it only got worse.

“Are you ok?” The pink and purple haired girl I had snapped at when I run out of the gym asked after stepping out of one of the stalls.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

I was not ok, my back was hurting from being pushed into a locker earlier and the pounding headache was not making anything better, my head felt like it was splitting into two. My energy was drained so I was bent against the sink for support. I normally would never lean against these sinks especially after seeing people having sex on them but I was weak and desperate, if it wasn’t holding me up I would have fallen to the floor.

“Are you sure?” She repeated.

“Yeah.” My voice was a mere whisper.

Taking deep breaths I splashed some water on my face and stood up straight. With blurred vision and very little energy, I turned and started making my way to the door.   

“Hmm.” I groaned slowly opening my eyes.

“Good, you are finally awake.” The nurse smiled when my eyes were fully open.

“Where am I?” I asked sitting up.

“The sickbay.” She answered and proceeded to check my vitals. “Do you remember what happened to you?”

“Not really, the last thing I recall is me walking out of the ladies room.” I answered.

“Well you passed out and your friends brought you here.” She told me.

“I need my backpack.” I told her.

“I think one of your friends is having it.” She told me after looking around. “Excuse me for a bit, I have to call your parents.”

“That won’t be necessary.” I spoke quickly. “I just need to take my medication and I’ll be fine.”

“Sweetie you passed out, your parents need to come and take you home.” She explained but I shook my head in protest.

“I’m fine, I just need my medication, I have lupus, this is normal, I don’t want to worry my parents when the situation is not as serious.” I protested. “I just don’t want them to start panicking, they already worry enough about me.”

“Ok, I won’t call them but I’ll have your friends bring your bag and I’ll monitor you for a few more hours.” She sighed in surrender. “I’ll be back.”

She left and I lay my head against the pillow because it was still aching.

After a few minutes she returned with my bag and I took my medication. She monitored me for a few more hours and only allowed me to leave after she was convinced I was alright and had eaten a meal meant for 2 people.

Coming out of the nurse’s office I made my way to my last class. I didn’t learn much because it was almost over when I joined. After the class the girl with pink and purple hair walked up to me.

“Hey, are you better now?” She asked concerned.

“Yeah, the nurse told me you took me to her office when I passed out, thank you.” I offered a small smile.

“You’re welcome.” She returned the smile. “Jasmine, my name is Jasmine Paulson.”

“Lyra.”

“Its nice meeting you again Lyra.” The smile on her face grew wider.

“Hey.” Emilia greeted walking into the classroom with her boyfriend following behind.

“Hi.” I smiled awkwardly.

“You left these in biology class.” She handed me my notebooks and a pen.

“Thanks.” I got them and put them in my backpack before closing it and placing the strap over my shoulder.

“Hi Leo.” Jasmine greeted in a flirty tone.

“Hey.” He responded awkwardly.

A lot of tension could be sensed between Emilian and Jasmine and I had a feeling it had something to do with Leo.

“You know I shouldn’t have to follow you around right.” Raphael stated as he strolled into the class. “The tutor looks for the tutee not the vise versa.”

“This is awkward.” He chuckled at the tension in the room while placing his hands inside the pockets of the windbreaker jacket he had on.

“Thanks again Jasmin and Emilia.” I smiled moving around them. “See you around.”

“Catch y’all later.” Raphael told them and we walked out of the classroom.