How much longer in this classroom?
I sighed.
Yep, simple as that, just an easy, relaxed, mad-at-the-world exhalation of warm air. From a mouth too ready to spit out some words that some might find to be rather nasty and distasteful. To be honest, at this point, in yet another mediocre, infuriating day, I wasn't in the prime mood for caring. It wasn't even like the school itself was all that bad. It was fun joking with my friends, laughing in the lunch room together where it was so loud that no one could hear the obscene and unusual things we were saying. It was fun, so much, fun. So much fun pushing and shoving my way through halls crammed tight with every kind of asshole that could be found, neither one so much as uttering an "excuse me." It was jolly good fun to feel like dirt. And to look like it too, according to 75% of the student body.
Okay, so it wasn't fun.
Right.
Despite the day, and the minor "tick-offs" spread throughout, and as much as I wanted to materialize that repeated fantasy of dominating some douchebag in a fight, today just wasn't the day.
It wasn't the day to go off, the day to have an anxiety attack. Today was a day to let off steam.
After all, this certain day was just getting better and better with every perky drop of water that fell from the dove grey sky. And I meant that, too. I watched the drops fall and reform from the vantage point of a dusty window until I noticed the clock.
The best thing of all, I gathered, was that it was time to go home.
I sat there in my desk, post-sigh, waiting for the other kids to file out hurriedly before I moved to depart. When the doorway wasn't quite so clogged, I rose, slung my black, hella-rad, spiked turtle backpack onto my shoulders, followed that one with my plush pikachu purse, snatched up my books and my jacket, and made my escape. As I crossed the threshold, my 4th block teacher rang out with a cheery "Bye, Nikki!". I responded as I always did with a barely audible "Bye", and sped up my pace towards the doors on my left. Those glorious, drab grey doors led straight to freedom. After all, I wanted to get out of school just as badly as the rest of 'em.
I shoved the doors ajar and practically skipped out, feet hitting the pavement in time with the rhythm of the sick beats blasting from my iPod.
The psychedelic tunes and hypnotic voices of MGMT was usually my homeward bound soundtrack. Crossing a small grass patch, I climbed aboard the stinking yellow bus labeled 263. Sweet, sweet public transportation. I avoided the glances of the other kids and made my way to my special seat, two back from the emergency exit. I dropped my junk into the seat, propped my feet up, and there I sat, headphones blaring, eyes shut, trying to drown out the noise of a world gone sour.
An hour later, I stepped out of the damp atmosphere of the school bus and into the damp atmosphere of nature.
Mail.
Re-adjusting my bags, I reached into my mailbox. Immediately my fingers closed on a large white envelope. I knew exactly what was in store.
I almost screamed in excitement, and I rushed to my front door, hastily jamming my key into the lock, flinging open the forest green door and then my stuff, ripping hurriedly into the package that held my future.
Wait.
I closed my eyes, the anticipation was too much. I was being way too hasty. I had to calm down.
Nah.
My newly opened eyes widened in joy as I saw the slanted, confident words printed on the pristine white page. We never got quality paper at my school.
But that's okay. Because I was soon to be leaving it. "We are pleased to announce that you are invited to be a part of the class of 2015 at True Cross Academy."
~6 MONTHS LATER~
Six long and carefree months had passed, and I had survived the remainder of the year at the hell hole disguised as a school.
Alas, here I was. My first week at True Cross Academy, huge and glorious. Everything I dreamed it could be.
Except for one tiny, little thing.
I wasn't making any friends.
Okay, just maybe it was a bigger thing than original perceived.
Hell, it was a humongous thing.
I just couldn't get over my crippling shyness and my anxiety episodes. I really did hate my condition, and when I was alone, I was absolutely nothing like the meek, whimpering creature showcased to those around me.
I was, as cliche as it is, nearly the opposite.
If not confident, I was at least outgoing.
The trademark sigh reared it's ugly head again as I straightened my academy uniform, and finished some personal touches. I fluffed my undercut, swiped on some black eyeliner cat-eye fashioned, and made sure my pick necklace was tucked safely into my shirt.
Against my heart, where it belonged. My mood dropped as I thought of it.
Stupid sappy idiot. Eugh.
I pinched my own cheeks and smiled at myself like a baffoon in an attempt to uplift my mood. It worked. I giggled hesitantly, then fully, and headed out of my dorm towards the main school building, saying hi to the dorm chef on the way out.
I was dang near grinning when I spotted Rin Okumura and his large and diverse group of friends.
I wish I could be like them.
Or at the very least, I wish I could join them.
I hurriedly looked away and I could feel my face grow hot as I flushed with embarrassment and envy.
Mood status = pitfall.
AN: I know there is little to no "canon" character interaction in this chapter, but it IS build-up.
Read and review, if you'd like.
Tell me what I've done wrong or something.