Chapter Three; School Days

A Chapter by Tripp

   I walked to the corner and sat there waiting for the bus, Kimberly and Alyx. I wanted to tell them so bad, But I didn't know exactly how. I stood and watched the storm clouds come in, Black as night. I was so excited Thanksgiving was almost here. And at least today was Friday. It was a week away, Next Thursday and Kimberly invited me over. I could finally get a real meal without having to be told I was fat, Which I didn't get. I was almost skin and bones. They encouraged me to eat, Actually. I sat and thought, Wondering when winter would come. It was getting really nippy out and the clouds above looked fierce. It was always so gentle, The first snow fall. Finally, The bus came around the corner. I sat down next to Kimberly, Alyx on the edge of her seat next to me. And it was so warm on that bus. It was nice.

                "What's wrong, Elizabeth? Your eyes aren't as green as they normally are." Alyx asked, Concerned.
"Yeah. And your pretty red hair seems dull." Kimberly added.
"Ah. It's nothing. Just tired. Couldn't sleep much."
Poor thing." they said in unison. I smiled half heartedly. We talked for the time, Waiting to get to school. Alyxs bright blue eyes were underlined with black eyeliner and sparkled happily. So did Kimberlys brown eyes. Her black hair shined along with Alyxs blonde hair. The bus stopped. Alyx stood, The chains on her pants jingling and her tank top showed the outline of her belly button ring. Kims fishnets hid behind her black combat boots and skirt, All frilly and what not. Her black and red corset hugged her tightly. I always wished I could wear things like that, But my bruises would show way too much.

                We got off and headed to our lockers, Grabbed our stuff and went to our first class.
"So what does your dad say about Thanksgiving?" Kim asked, her hands folded under her chin.
"He said it was fine." I replied, Finishing some math homework. I wasn't lying this time. He said he wanted to have a party and get drunk without having to worry about me, Which made me smile because I didn't have to worry about anything. Not a drunk dad or his friends, Not abuse. I opened my notebook and started drawing. Just then, Justin walked in and started walking over. I fumbled with my things, Trying to put them away as quickly as I could.
"Hey Elizabeth. What chya working on?" he hovered over the front of my desk.
"N-Nothing. I-It was nothing." I smiled lightly.
"Really? Okay." he smiled gently. I nodded at him, Looking down a bit. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing"
"Are you sure? I could help"
"Yeah" I lied. I didn't want him to know. Time passed on and we talked and laughed until class started.

                "We saw you talking to Justin this morning." Kim smiled. Lunch had finally arrived.
"Yeah. We heard he likes you." Alyx agreed.
"No. It's not possible. A guy like him can't like a girl like me. No way..." I looked at them.
"It's true. He likes you." Alyx repeated, Fixing her pants so she wasn't sitting on her chains. "Like, Likes you likes you."
"I couldn't." I looked at Kim and down at my lunch.
"Yes you could. Don't worry about it." she replied to my look.
"I can't help it." Alyx looked lost as we spoke.
"Just don't tell him about it." she pleaded.
"And how am I going to keep this a secret, Huh?" I started to get frustrated.
"I don't know. Just-"
"No. I'm not going to get involved. It's not that big of a deal. He deserves someone better than me anyway."
"No... No. You're perfect."
"That's not what HE said."
"Don't worry about him. He's a jerk anyway. I just wanna RIP his head off!" she agreed and twisted her hands together.
"WHO are you talking about? Justin?" Alyx asked. I shook my head. Kimberly looked sadly at her as I looked down and played with my sandwich a bit. I heard her whisper to Alyx and then I felt eyes staring at me.

                "Okay. What's the big deal?" I looked at Alyx and then down, A bit angry. I glanced at my shoe.

"Nothing." I slid out.
"Don't get frustrated, Lizzy. She doesn't know." Kimberly touched my hand.
"How can she NOT know? Have you NOT seen all the bruises, Scratches and scrapes?" I tried to hold back tears. "How can you not know...?"
"I-I don't know. You sai-" Alyx started.
"Elizabeth! Don't yell at her. She didn't DO anything."
"You're right... It's not her fault..." I looked over at Alyx. "It's not your fault. You didn't know and I'm sorry. It's just... I..."
"It's okay." she replied. "I'm sorry, Too."
"There... Everything's better." KImberly stated cheerfully.
"Yeah." I said to my picked at sandwich. My voice was hoarse with pale eyes.
"I'm sure she'll tell you the rest later." Kim looked at Alyx. I looked up and nodded. As the bell rung, I stood up and walked to my next class, Dragging my bag behind me.

A few hours passed before the clock struck two twenty five, Bells ringing. Students ran down the halls to head home and spend a marvelous long weekend with their friends and families. I, On the other hand, Slumped through the hallway and out in the chill to walk home by myself. Everyone else got to enjoy their break happily, In peace and quiet while I only got a day and two nights of freedom. Oh, How I wish it was longer. I kept wishing and praying this would all change, That I'd be normal, But I knew very well that that would never occur. Not in a million years. The sky had grown darker throughout the day and had started to rain. Lightning flashed in the distance as I grumbled and pulled my hood up.

-Do you feel like a man, When you push her around?
Do you feel better now, As she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend, One day this world's going to end.
As your lies crumble down, A new life she has found.-