The Ghost of You [A Billy Martin Story] Chapter 1

I rushed down the hallway, trying very hard to not be late to class. I had Mr. Shane this period and he hated late people. And if I didn't hurry up, I was going to find myself the victim of his ridicule, yet again. I actually don't care too much, considering I've become somewhat of an expert at shutting him out.

Mr. Shane teaches English, has the worst handwriting I've ever seen, uses terrible grammar, and knows nothing about what he teaches. To make matters worse, he was very mean and became more so when his flaws were pointed out to him. I believe that someday he's going to molest me, but that's just an inside thought.

I opened the door very quickly and ran in and sunk into my seat. I put my messenger bag down by my chair right as the bell rang. I sighed a breath of relief and began to take out my notebook. "Miss Thompson. Can you come to my desk please?"

I walked up to his desk and looked at him. I never noticed he had such a square head. "It's the first month of school, and you have already gotten three detentions for being late." I nodded. "I'm not going to give you a detention, because you were in your seat, but don't let it happen again. And, I'll be talking to your parents this evening." My eyes grew wide.

"Well, my parents left town this morning," I said, telling the truth.

He glared at me. "When can I call them?"

I remembered the note I found in the kitchen when I had woken up this morning. It read: "We'll be back sooner than later."

"Well, actually, they might come back tonight," I answered, knowing full well that they would not be back so soon. "I trust you can get my house number, correct?"

"Go back to your seat before I give you a detention for mouthing off," He said angrily, flitting me away with the back of his hand.

I returned to my seat, satisfied and smirking.

Upon getting back to my desk, I pulled out my notebook and a pen and took half-assed notes. I reluctantly waited for the class period to end so I could get the fuck out of here. It took a lot of effort to not burst out of the room and run home. I drew monsters in the margins of my notes.

I glanced upward at the clock and saw that there were only five minutes left of class. Seeing as notes were finished, I shoved all of my things into my bag, which now rested on my desk. I laid my head on my bag and closed my eyes. The bell rang loudly, although it seemed I had only been resting my eyes for a few seconds. I jumped. When I saw everyone leaving the room, I grabbed my bag and rudely shoved my way past the horde of high school kids, attempting to get to my locker.

"Alina! Hurry up! We gotta catch the bus!" I heard Benji yell. I was at my locker, getting out my Algebra 2 book. "Oh come on! We're gonna be late!"

"Hold you're fucking horses; let get my shit!" I said, stuffing the large textbook into my bag.

Benji tapped his foot impatiently. "We gotta go, Alina," He pressed, edgily.

"Jesus H. Christ, Benji. Where's the damn fire?" I asked.

Benji rolled his heavily lined eyes at me. "Just hurry up. The bus is gonna leave and I really don't feel like walking today."

I slammed my locker shut and hastily locked it. "You happy now?"

"Very pleased. Let's go." He grabbed hold of my wrist and dragged me down the hallway and through the doors.

Joel ran toward us. "Hold up you guys! Fuck! You guys are fast!" Joel panted.

"It's his fault! He's all rush-y and grab-y today."

Benji looked at me. "I'm sorry that my need to get on the damn bus in an inconvenience to you. Now, we haul ass."

"Damn, bro, chill out," Joel said. "We're going."

Once on the bus, we shuffled our way to the back. Various slurs and rude comments were thrown at us by the jocks and preps. And then they laughed. We didn't even fight back anymore. We just kept walking.

Eventually, you get used to it.

I sat down next to Benji and Joel took the seat in front of us. "So, are you coming to band practice?" Joel turned around and asked me.

"Did you really just ask me that?" I questioned mockingly.

"Dude, she practically lives with us," Benji said to his twin. "And you think she's not going to watch us practice?"

"Oh, I forgot," Joel said. "I see you so much, I don't see you anymore."

"I'm so glad my presence is always noticed,"

Benji and Joel both rolled their eyes at me and we sat in silence, pretending that we could not hear the insults that were being flung at us.

A few minutes passed when the bus came to a stop. "This is our stop," Joel said.

"Yes. It is. Gotta try to get through hell without getting food thrown at us," Benji muttered.

The bus driver opened the door, allowing us to get off of the bus. We were the only ones at this stop.

I felt something graze my cheek. I looked down and saw a Cheeto. "Fuck you!" I yelled. I wouldn't have screamed that if someone hadn't tripped Benji. Usually, I let these things slide. But I can't be expected to watch my friends get mocked.

We stepped off the bus without further pestering and walked to Benji and Joel's. The air was warm and humid, but it was nice to be outside, rather than trapped in the hellhole we call school.

When we got into the house, we saw there was a note on the refrigerator from their mom.

Benjamin, Joel, Josh, Sarah, Alina and any miscellaneous boys (if you're there, and I assume you are) -
I'm going to the grocery store after work. See you when I get home!

Love, Mom

Josh and Sarah were Benji and Joel's siblings. I never saw them much, but they were great from what I saw. Of course, every Combs was. Well, except Mr. Combs. Talk about an asshole…

"You wanna have band practice early?" Benji asked Joel, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Yeah, let's call Paul and Aaron," Joel responded, picking up the phone.

"We really need another guitar," Benji sighed as he pulled out a few slices of pepperoni pizza.

"I know someone," I said, reaching over and stealing a slice.