Chapter Two: Too Loud

I entered school, keeping to the edges and far away from the large groups of students milling around. Keeping a watchful eye on the biggest groups, I began to weave my way to the lockers, sometimes going far out of my way to avoid them.

By the time I'd managed to get to my locker and change my books, the bell had rung.

I made my way to my first class, hurrying ahead of the tide of students entering the building, and settling into my seat at the edge of the room, next to the door and a quick escape route.

The teacher was talking, but my music was slightly too loud to make out what she was saying. I tried to look like I was paying attention and tucked the cords of my headphones under my shirt. Everyone got out their books and I did the same.

They started writing. I did the same, though I probably wasn't writing what I was supposed to. I wish I knew what I was supposed to do; then I could do it, but the teacher hadn't put up notes on the white board today.

I was halfway through Maths when the assistant principal came to get Bronwyn Jones out of class. I didn't know many of my classmates by name, due to my…hearing problems, but I knew Wyn because he was in trouble a lot. His name was often written on the white board and if I paid attention, he looked like he back talked the teacher more than everyone else. When he wasn't making trouble, he sat at the back of the class, looking bored and annoyed.

Today, as he left the classroom, there was a funny look on his face, and I unconsciously leaned backwards when he passed me.

I got through most of my classes without making much trouble or doing much work, because it was hard to listen to the teacher when the music was turned up so loud. But Bronwyn seemed to have a talent for it, so I avoided him more than everyone else. This had mostly worked all year, but today looked like the day it would all catch up with me.

After recess, during my English double, Mr Kliff decided that now was a good time to talk.

I didn't realise he was talking to me at first because I was pretending to write in my book. Mistake number one.

"Juliet, pull those headphones out!" His raised tone caught me off guard.

I jumped guiltily, eyes flying to the annoyed man standing above me.

"Sorry, Sir." I said, pulling one side out.

"Both of them."

I tensed up in fear. "Sir?"

"You heard me."

My breathing sped up, as I slowly complied.

It's only for two seconds. Just hold out for ten seconds.

One, two, three,

four, five, six,

I began counting.

"Juliet…overdue…get it done…in trouble…failing…" He was speaking, but I was too focused on surviving my two seconds to hear him properly. Suddenly, he raised his voice.

"Are you even listening now?!" Frustrated brown eyes met my own.

I was startled and lost count.

Five? Seven? Where was I? Desperately trying to retain my focus, I floundered.

"Does she have a hearing issue I don't know about? Doesn't she know she's close to failing several subjects, not just English?"

I froze, his mental voice echoing in my mind as his actual voice fell on deaf ears. Then the rest of the class began to filter in.

"Why isn't she doing anything?" "Failing? No wonder-" "She's always distracted-" "I hope she's-" "Why isn't she saying anything?" "Why isn't she doing-" "Why-" "Why-" "WHY?"

Too much. Too loud.

"Stop it stop it stop it stop it!" I chanted frantically, throwing my hands over my ears in a fruitless effort to block them all out. "Please!"

"Why is she yelling!?" "What on earth-" "She's crazy-" "I hope she's not going to-" "What is going on?" "Why can't she-" "Why-" "What-" "Crazy!"

I groaned, clutching my head, and finally, mercifully, something gave.

I felt a wave of, something, pulse out from my mind.

For a single second, everything went silent.

Then everything was louder.

Screaming and horror emanated from every mind in the room, and I was afraid to open my eyes.

After what seemed an age, it was silent again.

What did you do, Juliet?

I don't know.

The school was empty, and I was drained.

I crawled to the back of the classroom and began to sob. Heaving, wracking sobs that seemed to come from my core.

What did I do?

I don't know.

Author's Note

Well, here's chapter 2! I'm still not sure what my update schedule should be. Is once a week good for you guys? If so, I think I'll make Saturday my update day. Anyway, don't forget to review! :)