A/N Sorry this is also short. Just trying to set everything up. Future chapters will be longer. Read and review
The apartment was completely bare, devoid of any decoration. There was a kitchenette to her left with yellowed tiles and worn linoleum, a couch was shoved in one corner and a folding chair and table were crammed into the other. The carpet was grimy and the roof was a diseased pattern of mould and smoke stains, sickly yellow peeking through. It may have once been white. Repressing a shudder, she stepped in and closed the door behind her. She crossed the space- her cons sticking to the carpet- and went to explore the other two rooms. The bedroom was much the same, sickly and damp. And the bathroom… she took one step in and walked straight back out-enough said. But it was also all she could afford and therefore, home. She took a seat on the couch and was surprised to find it comfortable. Maybe she'd sleep here. She did.
The next morning she woke from a restless sleep and got ready for school. She wore dark skinny jeans, her green Converse and a grey hoodie. It was a pretty boring combination, but her choices were limited. She had few clothes and even less inspiration. She just didn't really care. She pulled her unruly hair into a low pony tail and slung her book bag over her shoulder.
All through the long walk to school, her dreams plagued her.
She was still caught up in her thoughts when she arrived at school. Students milled around the car park, smiling and chatting. She wanted to do nothing but leave, leave and never come back, but she knew she couldn't do that. This was her chance. She steeled herself and walked through the crowd towards the office. She ticked things off in her head. Get timetable, go to homeroom, suffer through classes, and go home. Easy. She greeted the woman at the reception. She had a sour face and thin lips.
"Umm. I'm Clary Fray."
The lady stared at her blankly.
"I'm new." She tried to clarify.
"And…" The sour faced woman asked.
"I need my timetable."
The lady rolled her eyes and sifted through the mounds of paper piling up on her desk, scowling the entire time. She handed the crumpled piece of paper to her and turned without a parting word. Clary sighed and walked away. Not everyone will be like this. The thought was only slightly comforting.
She walked to her first class with her head down and her shoulders hunched. This whole experience would be easier without anyone noticing her. She rounded a corner and walked straight into a wall. She swore and looked up, what kind of hallway is three feet long? Instead of a wall, she found herself looking into the eyes of one of the most beautiful guys she had ever seen. His eyes were like liquid gold, his face was a sculptors dream and one quick glance displayed a muscled physique. Then she moved her gaze down to his mouth. It was curled into an arrogant smirk. The first word that came to her mind was, jerk. Now that she looked at him as a whole, she could see it clearly. His very posture screamed arrogance. Of course, nobody that good looking would be nice. She knew this all before he even opened his mouth.
"You okay there Red? I know I'm hot, but there is no need to stare." He continued smirking but it was obvious that he was bored. Used to it. Asshat. She broke out of her stupor.
"I'm fine, just contemplating how to handle this. It's not often that you see someone as ugly as you."
"Ugly!?" He was shocked.
"Ugly on the inside, it radiates out." Clary pushed passed him and walked down the hall, trying to get to class as fast as she could. She speed walked down the corridor, easily dodging the few people still in the hallway. Clary nearly sprinted through the door. Everyone was already seated and looked up when she came in. Why do they all have to look? Can't they just get on with whatever crap they are doing?
The teacher greeted her as she walked in, "Oh, you must be Clarissa, I'm Ms. is a seating plan on the board." Clary just stood there. The teacher faced palmed and stomped one booted foot. Strange person. " I forgot. You don't know anyone. You sit there, next to Kaelie." She pointed at a girl with glossy hair and a cake face. She repressed her groan and went to sit next to the girl. She stuck up her little nose at Clary as soon as she sat and turned to gossip with the girl next to her. Clary rolled her eyes and waited for the teacher to continue. 100 minutes later and she was free. She was nearly bored out of her mind by the end of class. The whole time Kaelie whispered-loudly- to the girls around her. It was all, "Oh My God…did you hear about" and "Can you believe…". Clary was ready to rip her hair out.
After morning break, she headed to her next class, History. The teacher was handing out forms. "In a few days' time this, and two other classes, are heading on a field trip to see an exhibition on…" She zoned out. When he got to Clary, he stopped and looked at the role. He seemed to be multitasking, marking people off and handing out slips at the same time. He frowned at the role and slowly retracted the hand that offered her the form. He moved on. Clary could only guess what he saw. A big, black mark against her name, clearly advertising that she was different. And not in a good way. Clary just hoped that he didn't find out why, that no one did.