My eyelids feel weighted shut, the comfort of what I am laying on the assurance that I was safe. But, home didn't really feel safe to me. So where was I? Slowly opening my eyes, I was met by the darkness of what was still night time. Then, I remembered Johnny and the Curtises and my father choking me against the wall.
My heart dropped at the thought of these strangers knowing about what happened at home. It was my best kept secret and coming here last night was awful suspicious. Did Johnny tell them it wasn't those Socs but actually my father? I didn't want to stay around to find out.
Untangling myself from the blanket I had somehow ended up wrapped in, I noticed a lump on the floor in the living room. Holding my breath, I tiptoed past the sleeping form and slipped out the front door into the darkness of the night.
Looking to my watch, I read the time. 6:12am. I thanked my lucky stars that my father would be on his way to work by now. In less than a minute I reached my own front door and quietly entered so as not to wake my mother.
Finding enough workbooks and stationery to throw in my backpack for school was a bit of a hassle. Everything was still packed and I ended up ripping pages from used books to make them seem new for my first day of school here. Nothing could be done for a packed lunch; the cupboards were bare.
It was only 7am but I decided to head to school anyway. I didn't know my way but I did remember driving past it on the way here. My mother pointed it out as Will Rogers High School. High School. I didn't belong there. I had gone straight from 7th grade to 9th grade last year, my teachers stating I was too smart to stay where I was. My father just called me a smartass. I didn't want to be the youngest in this new place. What if the Socs from yesterday go here?
I didn't think too much on it, maybe because there was nothing I could do. If I skipped school, well, I'd rather take the beating from the other kids.
It took me some time and a few wrong turns to find the school, but there it was. A few students were already turning up for the start of the school day. What caught my eye was the large sporting field and the group of people lined up on it. I made my way over, wanting to see what they were up to and having nothing better to do.
BANG
I was startled by the sudden noise and froze metres from the side of the school. While I just froze, the people on the field took off around the field along a running track. They started out at a jog, their trainers slapping against the ground as they picked up their pace. With maybe 100 metres to go the front runners broke out in sprint to the finish line. It looked exhilarating. They looked so free as they ran. The 2 at the front crossed the line almost at once, there was no obvious winner to me.
I envisioned myself there with them, sprinting for the win. I doubt I could win against them though; I didn't even know if I was a fast runner.
I sat by the edge of the field for a while more, watching them do sprints. Part of me hoped one of the Curtis gang would turn up and find me, but part of me wished to avoid them all together. It turns out the bell chose for me as it shrilled indicating the start of the school day. I figured my first stop should be to the office; I would need my timetable after all.
After finding the office and finally getting my timetable from the elderly woman behind the counter, I started to curse myself for not collecting it earlier on. The halls were almost bare; the second bell having rung minutes ago. I internally thanked the receptionist for giving me directions before sending my off. It didn't take me long before I spotted what would be my English classroom for the rest of the year. Taking a deep breath and hitching my bag up, I pulled on the handle.
Any chance of an unnoticed entrance was ruined when every head turned to me. A middle aged, kindly looking man made to speak.
"Good morning, you must be Michael. I am Mr Syme your English teacher," he greeted.
I nodded to him and fidgeted under the curious gaze of the other kids.
"Why don't you sit by Kelly? Kelly raise your hand." I looked around the room and spotted a girl with short wavy blonde hair and a pink cardigan with her hand up. Compared to the Curtises, she looked like royalty. She looked like a Soc if I had to guess.
I sat down at the empty desk beside her and shuffled my chair a bit away from her, not wanting to get in her space and cause trouble. From the corner of my eye I saw her frown at me but I focused my eyes straight ahead and ignored the look.
The next hour went by quickly. I found Mr Syme's class enjoyable, mostly because he made the effort to engage his class and make the lesson more enjoyable. That wasn't a problem for me in the first place; I loved English class.
Next thing I knew, I was amongst the crowd of kids leaving the room. I felt a hand rest on the back of my neck and a body step up behind me.
"Hey runt, do us all a favour and run along to the little kid's school," a voice whispered in my ear. I felt my neck heat up and shrugged the hand off my neck. Slipping between the people in front of me, I hurried down the hallway to find my next class. I didn't even look back.
I didn't get far before a call of "Michael" made me turn around to see a familiar face.
"Johnny" I greeted to the out-of-breath boy stopping just in front of me.
"Hey man, Steve said you didn't hang around this morning," he said, looking at me expectantly.
"Uh yeah, I had to grab my stuff for school," I offered.
"Fair enough. Would you like me to walk you to your next class?"
"Yes please" I responded, rummaging around my backpack for the timetable I had been given. After finding it I hand it to Johnny to look at. He nods and starts walking in the opposite direction of where I had been going.
"C'mon Michael, it's this way," he smiles warmly.
I hastily follow him. Walking side by side, he hands me back my timetable.
I can't help but be grateful for Johnny for helping me out in this new place. In the comfort of his silent company, I had forgotten about being spooked by one of the other kids earlier. For a moment, I allowed someone to look after me.