"Sun is shining in the sky. There aint a cloud in sight. "

Itzel Janik (Girl #19) slowly opened her eyes as the music from her alarm began to play. The light was starting to flood into her room and she knew that it was time for school. Itzel rubbed her sleepy eyes and groggily shut off her alarm. She shuffled her way into the bathroom and began to prepare for her day. Same old, same old. Itzel splashed some water onto her face and looked at herself in the mirror. As usual, she despised what she saw.

Why can't I be one of the pretty ones? Itzel wondered to herself. Though most people would definitely not consider Itzel ugly, she had never thought highly of herself. Some of the guys in the school had been attracted to her "exotic" look, but Itzel never paid them any attention. Itzel had always considered herself a pessimist and had never cared to try to see the world in a more positive way. What was the point of that? Itzel was smart enough to know that the world was full of disaster and if she had high expectations she would just be let down. Itzel's one and only friend (or at least the only person she considered to be a friend) was Mina Tsai (Girl #13). Itzel never understood why and Mina had connected the way they had. Mina was always a bubbly and cheerful girl who had a bright, bubbly personality. Normally, Itzel hated girls like her, but Mina had been an exception.

"If you have a better outlook on things, then you'll find that things just work out better for you." Mina had always told Itzel. Itzel knew she could never be as fun, as positive, or as pretty as Mina was. Mina's cute smile, her petite body, her smooth skin, and her jet black hair made her a very attractive girl. A girl that Itzel could not deny her true feelings for.

Itzel got dressed and gathered up all of her things. It was hard to believe that today was really the last day of high school. After this, there would be no more hell to endure every single day. Itzel would be free and would no longer have to deal with all of the people at her school that had annoyed her for the better part of her life. That thought actually made Itzel smile.

She walked out her door and began her walk to school. Itzel passed by a group of young elementary school kids laughing and giggling as they also made their way to their school. If only I could go back to those days. Thought Itzel. She had always dreamt of going back to the days of elementary school, back when there were no real problems. She crossed the street and continued her walk. In the distance she heard a car honk and turned as a fancy Corvette came speeding down the road.

"LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, BITCHES!" Screamed a voice from inside. Itzel was only able to catch a glimpse of the driver, but she knew who it was regardless. The only kid in the entire school who could afford a nice car like that was Darren Tabor (Boy #5). His dad had been a professional NBA player, and Darren was set for the rest of his life. He never had to work for anything and always made sure to rub his money in the face of others. He and his other rich snobby friends were never shy about flaunting whatever new products they had received. Itzel assumed that he was in the car with his girlfriend Sara Johnson (Girl #11) or his best friend Emilio Cammelli (Boy #18). Either way, Itzel didn't care at all.

Good riddance, I will never have to see any of you ever again. Thought Itzel as she continued to make her way to the school. She was slightly embarrassed at the fact that she still had to walk to school as a senior. While most of her classmates owned cars, Itzel didn't even have her driver's license. She had no motivation whatsoever to attempt to get her driver's license. Even if she did possess a driver's license, there was no way in hell Itzel could ever afford a car. Just another reason she hated being one of the poor ones in town. She knew people like Darren always looked down on her and there was nothing she could do about it.

Itzel cracked her knuckles as she stared down at the ground and began thinking about all that her high school experience had taught her. Survival of the fittest had definitely applied to the last four years of her life. As cliche as it was, it was true. In high school the strong survived and prevailed while the weak never stood a chance. The outsiders never stood a chance. Itzel had remained quiet and always tended to stay out of drama. She knew that nobody would miss her once high school was over, but she also would not miss any of her classmates. Itzel would never amount to anything and she knew it. Average grades, average looks (though Itzel felt her looks were below average), and an average attitude would all amount to an average life for Itzel. She would probably end up working at some gas station for the rest of her life and die before the age of thirty.

Itzel shook this thought out of her head. No way, I know I can amount to more than that.But could she? Itzel had no plans of going to college, she knew she couldn't afford it. She also didn't have any passion. Itzel didn't know what she would study, and frankly she didn't care either. Suddenly, Mina's face appeared in her mind and she remembered bits and pieces of a conversation the two had had only three weeks prior.

"...I see so much potential in you, Itzel. You're my best friend, and I wish you could see yourself the way that I see you."

Itzel smiled to herself as she remembered what her best friend in the entire world had told her. For as long as Itzel could remember, she had considered herself a nothing. But the funniest, nicest, and prettiest girl she had ever known saw so much more in her. If Mina believed in Itzel so much, why the hell shouldn't Itzel believe in herself?

Suddenly Itzel's mind started spinning. I don't have to be like this, I don't have to stay like this. She thought. High school is just one part of my life, and that's almost over. I have to consider what I'm going to do with the rest of my life, and who I'm going to spend it with. Mina...I have to tell you how I feel, I may never see you again.

Mina would be heading off to an elite college that fall, and although Mina had assured Itzel that the two best friends would stay in contact, Itzel wasn't so sure. I know we still have all summer together, but I have to tell you now. Itzel made up her mind. She was going to tell Mina that she was the prettiest girl she had ever seen and that she had had a crush on her since all the way back in 7th grade. Even if she doesn't feel the same way for me, I still have to let her know. Itzel smiled at the thought of Mina potentially having the same feelings.

Maybe Mina was right, maybe I have been too negative. High school is almost over, I'm ready to move on with my life. I need to make the most of this day. I'll tell Mina how I feel and I'll enjoy the last day with my teachers and my fellow students while I still can. Itzel was a block away from the school. I'm going to try to be nice today. Maybe a positive attitude really can change the way things turn out for me. This is the beginning of a new start for me. Itzel stepped out onto the road, almost arriving at the school. I'm going to make today the best day eve-

The truck slammed full force into Itzel and sent her fragile body flying into the air. The truck had been going a good thirty miles above the speed limit. Itzel had been so distracted with her thoughts that she had not seen the truck coming (the truck was a good distance away from her anyway, it was just going so damn fast). Itzel flew through the air and landed with a loud thud on the pavement. There was a loud cracking sound as her body slid across the pavement and several of her bones were broken. She was instantly dead. The few witnesses who had been hanging around the school began to react. A few screams were let out and people began running toward Itzel's body.

"You're welcome." That was the only thing the driver of the red truck said as he quickly drove past the body and off into the distance. No one had been able to see his license plate.

"Get back here you bastard!" Shouted Carter Koenig (Boy #13) as he ran toward the road. He had tried to chase the truck down but knew there was no point. The truck was long gone by now. Carter decided to turn his attention toward the crumpled mess of a body that was on the road. He could barely recognize the heap that was there before him. A few other people had gathered, and they the noise had attracted others. "Someone call the police." Said Carter as he made his way to the body.

Carter bent down and checked Itzel's pulse. His worst fears were true. "She's dead." He said shakingly.

Shayna Sull (Girl #17) was on the phone with the police. "There was a terrible hit and run right in front of the school!" She shouted frantically, "Please help. I think she's dead, we don't know who the guy was or where he went."

Mina exited the school hearing all of the noise. "Shayna, what's going on?" She demanded as Shayna hung up the phone.

"It's Itzel…" Started Shayna but Mina's eyes had already wandered over to where the crowd of people had gathered.

"...No…" Was all Mina was able to mutter as she ran to the crowd and pushed people out of the way. "No, no, no, no." She saw the crumpled mess of her former best friend on the pavement. "NOOOOOOOO!" She screamed one last time before she collapsed onto the pavement next to her friend. The others in the crowd began to shake her trying to wake up the girl who had just fainted.

Miles away by now, the driver of the car arrived back at his home and switched into another car. He was heading right back to the school. "That girl has no idea just how lucky she was." He said to himself as he entered his other car and began his drive back to the school. 49 classmates of the girl he had killed in broad daylight would not be quite as lucky. He could only hope the rest of them could achieve a quick death without suffering, just like Itzel.

49 Students Remaining