3

Misa stood at the sink, staring in the mirror. What was wrong with her today? Usually she was so happy, but today Misa-misa didn't feel that great. Maybe she was having too much change. They'd gotten at least 30 new students in one day. That wasn't normal, was it?

The bathroom was empty. It was the middle of sixth period so no surprise. What was sixth period anyway? No, Misa was definitely not thinking straight. Was it gym? Picking up her purse, Misa left the bathroom and walked down the empty halls. No one was there and it was so peaceful. To save money, the school only had hallway lights on in between classes and during lunch. It was like a silent bell; the hallway lights come on, you go out. People were always trying to turn them on early.

Now, the dimness was only barely noticeable, what with the sun shining through the panels in the windows. As doorway after doorway passed, Misa grew more and more anxious. It was like someone was guiding her somewhere. She went down a flight and down another. No one stopped or saw her.

Suddenly, Misa realized she was headed for the side door, off to the courtyard Misa had stared at earlier that day. Without a coat on, it would be cold but worth it, she decided and ran down the last flight over to the door.

Would it be locked? If so, from the inside or outside? Would she be locked out? Misa didn't think much as she ran out onto the front step. The cold bit her like sharp little teeth, but it was better than being stuffed up in the school. With the major growth of students it was much more crowded and the school felt a LOT smaller. Out here it was like a dream. Empty, empty, empty.

Misa ran out onto the grass, adrenaline pumping her on. She squealed for joy and did a cartwheel. Who cared, anyway? No one was there to see her. The grass was just as she imagined and she lay down, staring up into the sky and squinting at the sun. She began singing, she didn't really know what but it was pretty, it made her slow down inside, become one with where she was.

Misa liked it.

Misa felt tired suddenly and this was a perfect place to fall asleep, no one would come outside for another two hours. Right before she closed her eyes she remembered something. She had gym sixth period.

"Hey! HEY YOU! GIRL!!!" Misa sprang up. A man was staring straight at her so close they almost bumped noses. She screamed and jumped back, realizing it was freezing and her back hurt.

"Wh-what do you want from Misa???" Misa asked. Crap, she'd forgotten about the gardeners.

"YOU are supposed to be in THERE!" the man bellowed, pointing at the school. Misa felt sick at the request. She shook her head, pigtails swaying.

"No! I like it here!" Misa was defiant. The man stood over her, almost a foot. He cast shadow over her features.

They were quiet. Misa turned her nose away, still feeling defiant, even under the shadow of this giant.

"That's IT! I'm taking you to the office!" the man roughly grabbed Misa's and lifted her over his shoulder. Misa screamed.

"Put! Me! DOWN!" she squealed, kicking as hard as her size-5 feet would let her. The man kept on going, steadily, bouncing Misa up and down like a sack of potatoes.

Misa was defeated; she'd definitely have a suspension after this. What could she do? Closing her eyes she stopped struggling almost immediately. In surprise, the man loosened his metal grip. Misa knew this was her one and only chance.

She had to take it…but could she run? Yes, she could…no…wait…her mind whirred and all she had thoughts to do was jump.

Before she knew what was happening she plummeted through the air, landing hard on her nose. A thin trail of blood slid out from on nostril. No time to worry. Misa leapt to her feet…and ran.

Her feet pounded on the ground, carrying her on faster than she'd ever thought to run during gym. Should she head for the lake nearby, or the school? The answer came quickly (it had to) as she heard feet begin to pursue her. The school!

She'd been headed for the lake but now she swiveled and barreled straight towards the man behind her, all 80 lbs of her small frame buttoning up for a collision. In shock, the big gardener moved, except for his foot. Misa slammed into it, but was going too fast to stop running now.

It was shocking to think this guy took care of flowers for a living! No wonder half of them were already dead.

Misa grabbed the door handle of the school and her head rammed into the actual door, making her bite her tongue so hard she felt the metallic taste of blood in her mouth.

The door creaked open. Oh, God. Please don't tell her it was locked!!!! It flew open all the way and Misa stumbled in, slamming it behind her.

Her breath came fast. She was bleeding all over and it killed. Yet she'd just fought with a GARDENER. A gardener for God's sakes! And as she sat there, Amane Misa was happy…and she laughed, roared even

Thanks for all the support guys!! Luv ya!