"Are you sure you want to take this job, sweetheart?" Ava asked and I groaned, turning my attention from trying to close my suitcase to see my mom standing near the open doorway.
"Mom, I know you're worried about me but I won't be gone forever. The school's only in Westchester County and besides you know I'm not self-conscious about it anymore." I told her, pointing to the jagged scar that ran from my left ear down to the base of my chin.
"I know but I just want you to be careful." She sighed and I rolled my eyes only catching myself when my mom pressed her lips together. "You know how people can stare."
"So I found out after I had my accident but I'll be alright. I'm just volunteering at the school for a couple of weeks then I'll be back. It's just to see if I want to be a substitute teacher and besides you won't even know I'm gone." I told her, secretly pleased that she was worried but also a little annoyed that she didn't think that at twenty-two I could handle myself.
"But I'll keep my phone on me in case you want to call and check-up," I added and she nodded already looking better as I finally returned my attention back to my suitcase, sitting on it in a last-ditch effort to close it. Which worked and I let out a breath, climbing off the suitcase before I started to search the room in the unlikely case I missed something though judging from the fact I had to sit on my suitcase to close it…
"Okay but I really don't know. You could get a job anywhere in the town so you really don't have to travel all that way, Lisa. Even working from home's an option." Ava suggested but I shook my head turning back around to see her standing there with her arms crossed.
"Mom, please. I can take care of myself and even if people stare who cares? I really don't see why you feel the need to keep bringing up what happened in high school all the time? I'm a grown woman now." I snapped and she sighed, running a hand through her curly chocolate hair. "Mum, I'm sorry but you know I can't just stay home. I need to be outside not cooped up in here." I apologized tracing the bedpost with my fingers so I wouldn't have to face my mom who I knew was staring at my scar.
"Okay well, when you're ready to leave I'll get Darren to bring the car around. After what happened the last time you drove yourself…" She quickly trailed off, exiting my room the moment I winced and as she disappeared down the hallway of our two-floor house my mind flashed back to the moments before the crash. Shaking my head to clear it I swallowed, deciding that taking a job away from home would be the best thing to forget what happened.
As dad drove me towards the school, my suitcase and backpack resting in the boot, I looked out at the trees unable to think of anything to say to him. "You know you could always say you changed your mind, Lisa." He broke the silence and I blinked, lifting my head to find him still looking straight ahead. "I mean it's not like you have to take this job."
"Dad, everyone since I started school knows we're rich but I want to do this. I don't want to stay at home and never leave. I mean maybe when I had my accident but now…." When my dad glanced my way I blinked, shocked into the silence that he'd take his eyes off the road when he was driving.
"Of course, we know how self-conscious you were but now you don't care about it. Anyway, it adds character not that you need it." He replied, turning his attention back to the road. "Ava will just have to get used to not seeing you making a mess of the house."
"Dad, I was just trying to learn to cook. Besides, I only forgot to put the lid on the blender that one time." I argued as I chewed my lower lip, his chuckle making me grin. "Yeah, that was not fun to clean."
We'd barely reached the apartment block that I'd be staying at when my dad lightly squeezed the steering wheel, looking at me with a slight frown. "You know there's still time to change your mind." He told me and I sighed, running a hand through my shoulder-length hair as I did. "You know you look exactly like your mother when you do that."
"I know, dad. I'm a miniature version of mom right?" I replied and he chuckled, kissing my forehead. "Except I have your blue eyes and she has green ones."
"Mostly but Ava really cares about you, you do know that right? After what happened she just wants you to be safe." He told me and I nodded, touched that they cared though after I climbed from the car dad followed, opening the boot before I had a chance to. Pulling my suitcase from the boot he set it down as I shouldered my bag, noting for the second time that my shoulders were trembling.
"You know it's alright to be nervous. Staying in a new town and working away from home." He pointed out and I shook myself, giving my dad a quick grin that I knew wouldn't fool him. "But I'll let you make up your own mind. If you need us you know you can call at any time so don't hesitate." He added, closing the boot though before he had time to head back inside the car I reached out, giving my dad a hug as I tried desperately not to let him know how terrified I was at making such a massive change to my life. But Darren know exactly what I wanted and he hugged me back, pleased that his own daughter had made up her mind and was doing exactly what she wanted.
As I waved goodbye I couldn't help swallowing a lump in my throat, still wondering if taking a job away from home was the best idea. "Won't know until I try," I muttered to myself, heading towards the apartment I'd be calling home for the next few weeks.
The next day I woke early and as I sat up I blinked at the unfamiliar walls surrounding my bed. "Oh yeah. Starting my volunteer work today I guess." I muttered to myself, still wondering if I'd made a terrible mistake. After a quick shower and breakfast that I bought from a local cafe, I headed to work shouldering my backpack.
The second I walked into Bridgeton Middle School I flinched when several pairs of eyes focused on my scar, the vision of how I'd gotten injured flashing back into my mind. Before I knew what I was doing I raced for the nearest women's toilet, ducking into an empty stall.
"Okay just breathe. You knew that people would stare at you but it doesn't matter. As long as you don't think about it you'll be fine." I muttered, thinking I was alone until I heard faint chuckling and I froze as dark shadows crept over the walls making me back further into the stall until I found myself backed up against the wall with nowhere to go.
"Feeling a little self-conscious are we?" Someone asked, the voice quiet but full of menace. Gritting my teeth I picked up my backpack, the only weapon I had as something rose up from the floor in front of me a male face with two mismatched eyes and pointed ears, one red and one blue staring at me as he grinned at me though as soon as he raised both eyebrows at me looking puzzled I swung my bag without thinking hitting him directly on the chin.
With a painful grunt, I knocked the man, or whatever he was, directly into the back of the door and after he slid down he growled at me. "What in the hell was that for?"