Before I Fall
Chapter 37
Rikki's Journal
"Again?" I asked when my father told me we were moving.
"Not far," he continued, "I mean, it will be a smaller apartment, and you will have to change schools, but it's not far."
I could believe it. As soon as my life seemed to be going well, we left, leaving everything I had worked for behind. I had to leave my friends, again. I had to start over, again. I had to show everyone who I was and that I was not going to be pushed around, again. And I was starting to get the feeling that nothing was going to change.
So I packed, slowly but completely. When my father said it was time to go, I didn't fight. I didn't cry. I didn't think about what I was leaving behind, because all of a sudden, a lot of that didn't matter to me anymore, not if I was just going to lose it.
Smaller apartment, new job, new street with new kids, a new school, that is what we were getting. New, new, new, it was like we just couldn't get away from new. Well there was one thing I was sure of; I would not have new friends.
The first day of school, I talked to no one. I sat with no one. I looked at no one. I gave no one the impression that I wanted to ever become friends with them.
Staying by myself seemed perfect, less to lose when I left, for me and for them. Watching from the sidelines was fun. It was like a little movie only I enjoyed. My own personal soup opera or reality show.
But after a few weeks, being on the sidelines was lonely. I had no one to talk to, or even sit near. I was truly alone, and worse than that, I was left out. Since I had no one to talk to, I didn't know anything. I was left in the dark. I was in the dark, alone, and far worse than forgotten, never known. I didn't want that. But I didn't want a tie.
That's why I did what I did. That is why I became who I became.
Dressed in all black, I walked, head high into school. Everyone was looking. All eyes were on me. My hair fell in light curls on my exposed pale shoulders. As I walked, my skirt moved just enough to expose and hide parts of my thighs, giving just enough and no more. I was the most watched freshman on campus that day, and for once, I liked it.
"There she is," a guy called as I walked into the cafeteria. I looked over to where three guys from the soccer team were all looking at me, or should I say staring. I couldn't tell if they were gawking or admiring. I smiled before turning away.
"Oh look who it is," I heard a taunting voice say from behind me. I turned around slowly, coming face to face with the head cheerleader, Evelyn, and her gang. "Looks like someone could use a reality check. This is my school, I wouldn't get in my way."
I smiled, a devious smile some would say, "It's not your school, and I can do as I please." I told her before turning back around and starting away, but a hand on my arm stopped me.
"Oh, girls, it looks like someone could use a cool down," Evelyn said. That's when I felt the icy water hit my head and start to run down my back. Everyone in the cafeteria was staring, some were laughing.
"You're going to regret this," I said, storming out.
I spent the rest of lunch trying to dry off, and planning my revenge. After school, I decided to follow Evelyn and her gang. I walked just far enough behind that I could still see them, but they couldn't tell I was there, a trick I picked up from a few murder mystery shows. Evelyn was clueless to my presence.
For revenge, I decided on something simple, something untraceable. Everything was set up when I walked into the cafeteria that morning. All I had to do was sit back and watch. I chose a seat right by the door, perfect view. I wasn't sitting there long before Evelyn walk in with her gang. I watch as they go in line for breakfast, picking up their usual oatmeal and a bottle of flavored water. They went to pay, and started for their usual seats. The surprise came when they sat down.
As soon as they were seated, the whole table collapsed, spilling oatmeal all down their shirts. Everyone in the cafeteria was laughing, including me. The girls were outraged. Teachers quickly started to try to calm them down, but that only annoyed them more. It quickly became a hectic scene and a very entertaining show.
Then I heard, "It was her, she did it," in Evelyn's annoying perky voice.
"Now, Evelyn, let's not accuse people," One of the teachers was saying.
"But it was her, I know it was her," Evelyn was saying. "She said she was going to do something like this. She has practically already confessed."
The teacher signed and looked to me, "Rikki, do you know anything about this."
"No Sur, I do not," I replied with a smile.
"She's lying," Evelyn accused. "She wouldn't admit to it if she really had anything to do with it."
Evelyn was still going on when the teacher pulled her and her gang into the office to get changed. I just couldn't stop smiling as I watched them go.
I quickly got caught up in my thoughts and was distracted when I heard, "Did you really do that?" from behind me. I turned around to find Mason, a boy from my history class. "It was pretty great."
"Thanks," I said, not giving him any reason to think I was trying to become his friend.
"You know, there are a few people I would like to get back at as well," He said sitting down. "If you want to help, maybe we can be a great team."
"And why would I want to work with you?" I asked, not giving him eye contact and focusing on my food.
"Because I am the best pranker in this school." I didn't react. "Because I am a pretty cool person." Still no reaction. "Because I am leaving after this year and you want to help make this year remember able for me." This got my attention.
I turned towards him, the first bit of eye contact we had made the entire conversation and said, "Well then you've got yourself a deal."