This is the first chapter of The Ignored. I don't really have much else to say, so let's continue.

Chapter One: Welcome To My Life

I watched as Joy and Patricia played around with some camera. Joy tripped over Fabian's leg and fell onto his blanket. Patricia snapped a picture and started laughing.

I let out a weak smile. No one ever laughed like that when I was around. No one ever joked around like that with me. None of them wanted me around, and I completely got it. I didn't want to be there, but I was there, and there was nothing we could do about it.

I shook my head as I stood up, stuffing the damn red blazer into my bag. I undid my tie so it was loose around my neck, and my crisp white button up was un-tucked and a few of the top buttons were unbuttoned. My skirt was a few inches shorter than the requirement, but I wore a pair of black fishnet tights underneath and a pair of combat boots.

Teachers were always up my ass for the way I dressed, but I frankly didn't give a damn. I was wearing the required clothing, and everything was covered, so technically, they couldn't do anything about it.

"Wait for me!" an American yelled. She was really pretty, with long brown hair and dark eyes. She accidentally bumped into me, almost knocking me over. "I'm so sorry!" she told me quickly before running off.

"Who's the American?" I heard Patricia ask.

I bit my lip and continued to walk to Ms. Andrews' classroom for my French exam. Ms. Andrews signed a few words to me as I walked in. I smiled and signed a few words back.

It's a common thought around the school that I can't hear. But I can. I can hear more than people would care to admit. People never lower their voices around deaf people. They think I can't hear them.

But I can. And I'm not deaf. I'm mute. I haven't spoken in seven years. Why? Well, because, the less I speak, the more I can learn.

"Ms. Andrews, my nose is bleeding! Oh, it's a gusher!" Alfie said, holding a red tissue to his nose.

"To the infirmary, post haste!" Ms. Andrews said, shooing him from the classroom. Alfie rushed from the room, revealing to the class that his nose wasn't actually bleeding. Everyone laughed as he ran into Mr. Sweet.

"Slow down," he said, "less running, more haste."

Alfie nodded and rushed off.

"Joy, there's someone to see you in my office."

I sighed and continued to take my exam. I finished first and handed it in. Ms. Andrews let me leave as soon as I handed in the exam.

I left the classroom silently and headed back to the house. As I walked in, I noticed Victor talking to a new girl. I hadn't remembered being told about a new student.

"Hi, I'm Nina, from America," she said. It was the girl who had almost knocked me over. I nodded as a greeting.

"Why aren't you in class?" Victor asked me.

I raised my eyebrows before signing a few (inappropriate) words. He always forgot that I didn't speak. I rolled my eyes at him before turning on my heel and heading upstairs to my room.

There was an overflow the year I arrived, and I got a single room. It was the smallest room in the house, but I really didn't care. I didn't have to share a room and I could cry about my life all I wanted without anyone finding out. As soon as I walked in, I closed the door behind me.

I dropped my bag on the floor of my room and flopped onto my bed, face down on my pillow.

I didn't cry, I just sighed and lifted my head. I picked up my iPod and scrolled through the songs. I found the song I was looking for and clicked on it: Welcome To My Life by Simple Plan.

Do you ever feel like breaking down?

Do you ever feel out of place?

Like somehow you just don't belong

And no one understands you?

Do you ever wanna run away?

Do you lock yourself in your room?

With the radio on turned up so loud

That no one hears your screaming?

No, you don't know what it's like

When nothing feels all right

You don't know what it's like

To be like me

To be hurt

To feel lost

To be left out in the dark

To be kicked when you're down

To feel like you've been pushed around

To be on the edge of breaking down

And no one's there to save you

No, you don't know what it's like

Welcome to my life

Do you wanna be somebody else?

Are you sick of feeling so left out?

Are you desperate to find something more?

Before your life is over?

Are you stuck inside a world you hate?

Are you sick of everyone around?

With their big fake smiles and stupid lies

While deep inside you're bleeding

No, you don't know what it's like

When nothing feels all right

You don't know what it's like

To be like me

To be hurt

To feel lost

To be left out in the dark

To be kicked when you're down

To feel like you've been pushed around

To be on the edge of breaking down

And no one's there to save you

No you don't know what it's like

Welcome to my life

No one ever lied straight to your face

And no one ever stabbed you in the back

You might think I'm happy but I'm not gonna be okay

Everybody always gave you what you wanted

You never had to work it was always there

You don't know what it's like, what it's like

To be hurt

To feel lost

To be left out in the dark

To be kicked when you're down

To feel like you've been pushed around

To be on the edge of breaking down

And no one's there to save you

No, you don't know what it's like

To be hurt

To feel lost

To be left out in the dark

To be kicked when you're down

To feel like you've been pushed around

To be on the edge of breaking down

And no one's there to save you

No, you don't know what it's like

Welcome to my life

Welcome to my life

Welcome to my life

I sighed and stood up, looking around the room. The walls were navy, and the floor was hardwood. My bed was next to the window, a perfect vantage point. The bed was messy and unmade (Trudy never came in my room), and there were random things lying around the room. I had my laptop on my nightstand, my iPhone next to it, charging, and my collection of sterling silver rings. I turned and faced the closet, which was on the other side of the room. I opened the doors and pulled out a red plaid shirt, a black tank top, and a pair of regular denim skinny jeans. I quickly changed out of my uniform and tied up my black Chuck Taylors.

I left the room and headed to the kitchen. It was dinnertime, anyway.

I quietly sat down in my usual seat.

"Oh, look, the deaf girl's here!" Patricia said, thinking I couldn't hear her.

"Patricia!" Fabian scolded.

"What? She can't hear me!" Patricia defended herself.

"Actually, she can," I said. My voice came out crackly and scratched after not being used for seven years, but the message was clear enough.

Everyone stared at me in shock. I'd never spoken since I appeared at the school a few years ago. I stood up quickly and started to leave the room, leaving them doubting if they'd really heard the "deaf girl" speak.

And that's chapter one! Hope you like it! Review, my internet acquaintances!