Chapter 1
"Go away please," I whispered, "please, not right now...Dude, people already think I'm crazy"
"Tabs, please let me?"
"Jake, she's going to think it's me again!" My whispers were growing volume.
"Tabitha, is there something you'd like to say to class?" Ms. Mercer shot at me. Oddly enough, she said that with a smile. She did that a lot, tried to look happy all the time. Even if she was angry or annoyed, she still managed to plan that smile on her face. She scrunched up her 60 year old face into a creepy smile with her blonde-grey hair framing her sagging cheeks. The botox and other implants only made her appear more fake as she tried to look young. The kid with the mousy brown hair who sat in front of me turned around and asked if I was talking to my imaginary friend again. I looked at my paper and shook my head no to both of their questions. Ms. Mercer turned around to face the board and began writing. I stuck my tongue out at the mousy haired kind and he frowned.
"Sorry Tabs" I heard from next to me "I can go if you'd like…" Jake continued.
"No it's fine."
"Really, I can just walk out. I swear, no one will notice." I knew he was probably smiling right now.
"No stay, please" I begged. I didn't want to be left in class with a bunch of mean kids and a 60 year old barbie doll.
"Hmmm, you may change your mind in a few minutes." I groaned.
"You better not!" I hissed. Jake had reached into his pocket and pulled out a pink eraser he had stolen from my school bag earlier that morning. Ms. Mercer glanced at me sideways and I pretended to be taking notes on whatever she was writing.
I put my head down on the peeked sideways at Jake. He had moved across the room to stand behind Jason: the school's worst bully, who just happened to be in my english class. Jason wore too much cologne and had a permanent grimace on his face as if he was sitting in a class of rats rather than other 7th graders. I closed my eyes. I knew what I had to do. I opened my eyes just as Jake aimed and fired. The eraser hit Barbie. She spun around and faced Jason. Eyes were locked on Ms. Mercer; mouths hung open. Jake walked over and sat next to me as if nothing had happened. "You!" she bellowed and pointed a scrawny finger at Jason. Ms. Mercer took a deep breath and smiled, "You," she repeated in a calmer voice. Barbie cleared her throat. "Jason, dear, did you throw this at….at my face," she bent over and plucked the eraser off the floor, like it was a filthy sock rather than the average pink school eraser.
"No," Jason replied shaking his head back and forth, his hair swung back and forth in long greasy strands. Jason clearly confused as why he of all people would be blamed.
"Now, now. There is no lying in this class sweetheart. You wouldn't want to–" I stood up and cleared my throat. Ms. Mercer looked at me and her smile wavered. She tilted her head to the side like a pigeon. "Yes Tabitha?" Barbie asked, her voice on the verge of breaking and an octave higher than usual.
I cleared my throat again. "It was...um...it was me. I threw the eraser. At–at your head."
"Of course. You again. I should have known," Ms. Mercer was waving her hands around like a maniac Barbie doll as she spoke, "Well don't just stand there. Pack up your things, I'll write you a pass."
"Jake…" I grumbled under my breath, "you really want me to–to...erm…" Shoot, I thought. What could I say? It was hard to threaten this guy.
"What? You gonna kill me?" He grinned that wicked grin of his. What is wrong with him? I smiled to myself then frowned. What is wrong with me?
I shoved me notebook forcefully into my bag and threw the pencil in with it. As I headed to the door, I passed Barbie's desk to pick up my pass. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jake pluck the pink rectangle off of Mrs. Mercer's desk. I rolled my eyes. Seriously, when was this guy gonna learn?
break
I swung open the door of the office only to see my own mother standing at the front desk, talking to Mrs. Greene. Great, I thought, my mom made it to the office before I did, but...why didn't she seem mad?
The door swished shut. Mrs. Raymond turned around. I held my breath. "Finally!" My mother exclaimed. I've been waiting almost 15 minutes for you to be sent down to the office!" She turned back to brown haired, blue eyed Mrs. Greene, "Didn't you let her teacher know she needed a pass to the office. I am sure I mentioned that this was an emergency…" She trailed off.
"Hey, Tabs," Mrs. Greene greeted me. This wasn't the first time I had come to the office to meet her with a pass. "Pass please!"
"Sure, sure," I muttered as I walked to the front desk and slipped her the pass.
"Hmmm," I heard. She toss the pass into the trash and winked at me. "Well, you guys are ready to go," Mrs. Greene smiled, "I'm sure I'll see you around, Tabitha. It was nice seeing you again, Mrs. Raymond." She waved to us and my mother and I walked out to the car.
As I jumped into the front seat, confused as ever, I heard someone whisper "see you at the house" and felt something brush my cheek.
break
When we got to the house, I saw a flicker of movement in the curtains on the front window of my bedroom, but I ignored it. I was sure I already knew who it was.
I opened the car door, and followed my mother into the house. As I began to make my way upstairs, my mother grabbed my arm. "Not yet." She said sternly.
Damn, I thought, I was sure Mrs. Greene hadn't said anything to her.
She dragged me to the brightly lit, already yellow, kitchen and I was surprised to see two people sitting at the table: Jake and my great aunt Maura.
Obviously this wasn't a school matter, maybe a family discussion? I hoped not. "Go on, sit down," my mother urged, "don't act like you've never met your grandmother's sister before." All three chairs at the table were occupied. I looked apologetically at Jake. He sighed, got up without making a noise and offered me a seat.
"Thanks," I whispered.
"Did you say something, dear?" My great aunt asked. Dang she had good hearing for an eighty-year-old.
"No," I responded.
"Well, then let's get started."