Clarissa Horatia
Pineville Central School
A blaring sound pierced my dull, tired thoughts. It was the bell that signaled the end of the school day at Pineville Central High School. I grabbed my books and hustled out of class hoping to catch a ride with my friends. I quickly go to my locker to grab my phone. I wasn't a particularly popular person at school, but I wasn't unpopular. I did sports and clubs and other things typical high schoolers do. But somehow, I didn't fit in. Talking with cheerleaders and other popular girls wasn't fun. There is always something that they say that makes me rethink why I'm talking to them in the first place. I pull out my phone from my locker and check my recent messages. The messages normally consisted of my bored friends texting me in class. They all know I keep my phone in my locker, but they insist I hear what they have to say. As I scroll through my messages, I see a news story that my close friend Abby forwarded me. The headline was "Batman Dead?". I reread that headline over and over again until it sinks in. I start moving down the hallway towards the front of the school, still staring at my phone.
"Hey Clarissa!," exclaims Terri, our class president. I turn around and smile, but keep walking in hopes she won't bother me. I didn't need another distraction on my mind.
"Did you read the emails I sent you? I was hoping you could join the chess team this year! We could really use you as an asset on our team."
"Sorry Terri, I think I will have to pass. I lost against a six year old in chess while I was baby sitting. I don't think you really need me," I try to say nicely.
"I really have to go, but thanks for the invite," I mutter as I speed walk out of the hall onto the sidewalk leading towards my neighborhood.
I check my phone and see a message from Abby asking if I could come over later tonight. I look up from my phone just in time to see two thugs walking towards me. They had knife tattoos on the inside of their wrists.