Chapter Two: Misunderstood
Hatter: Woah I never know how thrilling it was to actually publish your work.
Alice: Clam down. All you did was push submit and save.
Hatter: Well Alice I guess you wouldn't understand this triumphant moment because all you are is a backseat writer-
Alice: I think you mean Second Hand Extraordinaire Commenter of Works
Hatter: Um, no I don't. Anyways as I was saying you can't truly feel the amazing sensation of putting your work out there.
Alice: … What's your point?
Hatter: (groans) Forget it. Just Forget it.
Alice: Another battle won my Nintendo haha. Please enjoy our story.
Hatter: Mine!
The lunch room was crowded and painfully noisy to my sensitive ears. I pulled my hood over my head to tone the volume down a bit before resuming to pick at my pizza.
"Bubbles, just eat the pizza already." Buttercup instructed annoyied. I stopped and looked up at my sister who sat across from me as she chomped on chips.
Even after getting upset with me this morning, Buttercup had still joined me for lunch, bringing the boys with her. When we first started high school my sisters and I had all gotten the same lunch period. But Blossom always made her way to the center of the cafeteria to be with her swarms of friends, or "Turbo Nerds" as Buttercup called them.
Buttercup at first sat with her friends but I guess she took pity on me and left them to keep me company. A month later the RowdyRuff Boys transferred here and joined our small group of misfits (a very long story)
Even though I felt like a charity case when I was with them I did prefer their company rather being the only kid sitting alone.
Butch sat next to Buttercup and talking to Boomer, who sat on my side of the bench. Brick would have been here too but he had gotten detention for Mr. Glover. Again.
"I'm not hungry." I reply retrieving my hand from the tray and into my lap.
Buttercup sighed as she continued eating.
Suddenly a pair of hands snatch up the abandoned pizza. I turn to my left where I witness Boomer now eating my food.
"Well if you won't eat it we shouldn't let it go to waste." He justified.
"Boomer!" Buttercup snapped "Stop snatching everyone's food."
"He can't help it. He needs something to fill the space between his ears." Butch said coolly keeping a bored expression but I saw a small smile fight his lips.
"Shut up. She said she didn't want it so it doesn't count as stealing." Boomer defended.
I push the rest of my tray over to Boomer whose eyes light up immediately. "It's okay. I'm really not hungry." I assure .
"What? Are you on some type of diet or something?" Butch asks setting his eyes on me.
At the sound of 'diet', I see Buttercup narrow her eyes at me, waiting for my answer. I feel a lump build in my throat and my stomach churn.
Luckily before I can answer Boomer steps in. " I don't get it. Why does every girl feel like they need to lose weight when they're already like 10 lbs." he asks finishing the pizza and starting on the fries.
"I'm not on a diet." Buttercup says insulted.
"Well he did say 'every girl' ." Butch smirks, dodging a chip Buttercup throws at him "But Boomer has a point. Guys, we could care less about our weight, I don't see what the big deal."
" That's complete bull." Buttercup counters " Guys may not normally care about their weight but they spend hours on end working on their precious muscles."
I listen silently as their conversation continues. With each word they say I feel more and more misunderstood. It is a big deal especially to people like me, people who was nothing going for them. People who are constantly compared to everyone around them until they always came up far from good enough. 'None of them get it. Because they don't feel the need to be perfect' I thought bitterly.
Everyone I knew was better than me. Butch and Buttercup were great fighters, Boomer was an amazing musician, Brick was great in every sport and Blossom was…. Well BLOSSOM!
I always fell to the wayside in people's minds because I had no talents, I was average even with powers, and worse… ugly. Even the boys, despite formally being villains, were pretty well liked. Not on a Blossom scale, but pretty close. Girls practically adored them. They all had gotten really good looking. Completely flawless… almost like models.
Brick was the most attractive according to population (Blossom's counterpart no less.) . Boomer was the cuter one, kind of like that Justin Beiber kid. Butch had jockish looks that mixed with his dark and brooding personality.
"What do you think Bubbles?" Buttercup asked bringing me out of my thoughts.
I blink blankly, embarrassed I hadn't been paying attention "About what?"
Buttercup groans " Daydream much? I asked if you thought the dance was worth the trauma?"
'The dance?' I thought, feeling a little clueless for a second until I touched back realizing the topic change. 'Oh the Homecoming dance .'
I shrugged my shoulders "I don't know. I'm not going."
Before the conversation could progress the fifth period bell rang. I was the first to get up from our table, gathering my books quietly.
With my things, I leave the group and head out of the cafeteria. Before I could get caught up in the crowds I make a beeline for the bathroom.
Seven Minutes Later
I wiped my mouth unconsciously as I walk into my fifth period Art class- late. It wasn't too big of a deal. There was only seven people in the class and the teacher was pretty low maintained.
Mr. Joel, the teacher, was sitting at his desk when I walked in. He looks up and looks at me, registering my presence "Ms. Utonium, your late."
I push a piece of a hair from my face "I'm sorry, Mr. Joel. It wont happen again."
He nods " Good. Now get to work."
I nod back and head to my station where my canvas is waiting. I put on the grayish smock, paint splattered from years of use, grab some brushes and a mirror.
Once settled, I examined my canvas with disgust. We were working on self portraits and I have been spending the last two weeks attempting to paint my mess of a face but it never turned out right.
I enjoyed art, more then I enjoyed anything in awhile, but this was a challenge and was threatening to me.
If I was painting someone else, anyone else, maybe it would be easier but no, I was stuck with myself. Ugh.
Sighing deeply, I plunged my brush in some paint and began moving my hand. Time flew as I painted, despite the painting at hand, I felt free when I was painting. Only I was in control and I liked that.
"Very good Bubbles." A voice said behind me. I turned around to see Trent, Mr. Joel's aid. He was a senior who "assisted" us when Mr. Joel was too busy. He was one of those insanely popular guys who everyone liked because he didn't act like a jerk even though he could. Blossom was crazy about the guy but that didn't surprise me (What guys wasn't she crazy for). Me on the other hand, not so much. In fact not at all.
I turn back to my painting, mumbling a 'thanks'. But he didn't leave when I resumed painting, I could feel him standing behind me still- watching me. My stomach clenches and I feel like I'm going to be sick again.
I bit my lip, uncomfortable by his presence and unsure of what to do. "You know," he continues as he places his hand on my shoulder and leaning into my ear causing me to freeze up completely and drop my brush on my knee "I would kill to have talent like yours."
Struggling to choke out words or even breath, I'm interrupted when the last period bell sounds and Trent releases my shoulder instantly. Out the corner of my eye I watch him walk away to Mr. Joel's desk as if he never came over here.
My breathing returns to normal as I'm left there stunned and disturbed.
I feel something wet and cold on my face. I reach up and feel the small trail of tears on my face. On my clean sleeve I wipe the tears away quickly and pick up my bag. Before I can think I ran out the class and then out the school. Without a second thought I fly up onto the school roof.
Looks like I'll be missing sixth period. Again
Hatter: Okay even I'll admit this was not a amazing chapter. It was more of a filler before things start taking off.
Alice: tsk tsk . Excuses Excuses, be a man and own up your chapter.
Hatter: But I'm not a m- . You know what you're right.
Alice: (blinks confused) I am?
Hatter: Yeah. I should accept this chapter and treat it no different than the coming ones. It is my art.
Alice: B-b-b-b-but….. I was right?
Hatter: (nods) Yep
Alice: I think – I think I' m gonna… (faints dramatically)
Hatter: Ha-ha That worked better than I thought. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for next chapter it's definitely gonna be better.
Alice: (gets up suddenly) Please review… (faints again)
