I woke up at 6:00 to get ready for school. While I was taking my shower I thought about how I already have two projects to do with Jay and it's only the second day.

For English we decided to write a "diary" of a slave in New Orleans during the Civil War.

The requirements were it had to be about something we haven't experienced personally, it had to have three descriptive paragraphs, and it had to be written in the first person. We figured our idea would work.

I wasn't exactly psyched about having three descriptive paragraphs about dead soldiers but Jay seemed very excited so I told him he could write them and fill me in later.

I finished with my shower and quickly got dressed in a pair of low-rise jeans and a white off the shoulder sweater. Sure it was September, but it was still pretty chilly here in good old T.O.

Okay, so maybe Jay isn't that bad. I mean, I wouldn't go out and marry him. I definitely don't love him. I don't even think I like him. Not even remotely. But he's a potential friend.

I hopped into my mother's old car, which I can proudly say is now officially mine, and I drove to school. As I was driving into the parking lot I was cut off by an orange Civic that I recognized as Jay's. If it was anyone else I probably would've just rolled my eyes and cursed them off under my breath. Usually, if I saw that it was Jay, I would've gotten out of the car and started screaming at him. But for some reason today felt different.

I just nodded and continued to search for an empty parking space. Finally I found one and headed in just in time for homeroom.

Sitting down in my seat, I scanned the room, looking for Jay. He wasn't there.

But I just saw him out front.

Finally the bell rang and I headed to first period. Jay wasn't there either.

So I started working on the diary. I had gotten a lot in, but I wasn't sure if Jay would agree with what I was saying.

I'm not sure to be worried because he's not there, or to be angry that he's most likely skipping class.

But, hey, I skip class sometimes too.

And Media Immersion would be a great class to skip today. After getting that e-mail from Peter telling me that he wants me back, I don't think I could stand going in there and sitting next to him.

So after English ended I headed out the front door and walked to Jay's car. I saw him sitting in the drivers seat with his head on the steering wheel. He looked like he was sleeping. I was about to knock on the window when I noticed the blood dripping down the steering wheel. It was coming from somewhere on his face. I quickly opened the door.

"Jay. Jay. Talk to me, Jay." I said, while turning his face towards me.

He had a busted lip, bloody nose, three teeth missing, and was obviously knocked out. I closed the door and ran around to the other side where I got in. Taking his head in my lap I started to clean him up.

What happened?

.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x.-.x

When I drove into school the morning of the second day of school, I cut off a small, blue car. When I looked in my rearview window and saw it was Emma, I cursed at myself under my breath, but I kept looking for a spot anyway.

Finally I pulled into an empty space. I was about to open my door when the front of my car seemed to sink. I tried looking out the front window and someone jumped up, knife in hand.

I recognized the guy as a bigot I used to drink with at the Ravine.

I opened my window and called out, "Dude, what's up?"

He lunged at me and I quickly rolled the window back up.

But not soon enough. He reached in and opened my door, pulling me out onto the curb.

The last thing I remembered was his fist driving into my stomach.

Then I woke up with my head on Emma's lap and she was stroking my face with her forefinger.

When she realized I was awake she quickly stopped, "Oh, are you okay? What happened?"

I just shook my head and tried to sit up but I fell back into her lap.

I think I caught a smirk on her lips but then again I could have been hallucinating with my condition.

I managed a weak smile, "Thanks." I muttered.

She put a finger to my mouth as if telling me to be quiet and I quickly obeyed, falling back into a deep sleep.