Thirty-six Surrounded by strangers

Temperance




"No offense but what kind of name is Temperance? I mean it's pretty... it's just odd." A body appears next to me, bumping their shoulder into mine.

With furrowed brows, I look up at the culprit who has ruined my focus on keeping myself from wobbling.

A girl stands beside me, she's tall so she looks down at me. She gives me a small smile, not making any effort to get out of my bubble.

It's my first day at this damned school and I already have someone bothering me.

"How do you know my name?" I question, not remembering her face from either of my first classes. "My friend shares the first block with you." She tilts her head, moving a hair out of my face.

I pull my head back, my back hitting the lockers behind me. I wince in pain as her arms extend for me, ready to yank me away from the lockers.

"Are you ok?" She asks me as I swat her hand away from me.

"Why are you talking to me so early? Can't you see I'm upset by your presence?" I can't help my outburst, the irritations kept building up.

She stands in shock for a moment. Her face twists before she thins her lips, ready to open her mouth to say something.

"Oh, there you are Temp!" Chris's voice sounds desperate to stop her from speaking. He jogs to my side, patting my head.

I glance around, realizing a few students have stopped on their way to class, watching the three of us.

"Your cousin needs some manners, Chris." The prudent girl states before walking away with her back slouched.

"What are you doing? You're supposed to be nice to fit in." Chris places his hand on my back, pulling me to walk with him. 

Chris grabs my backpack off my back, placing it over his own. The lack of weight hurting my shoulders feels like heaven.

I watch as each footstep in front of the other, my eyes are so tired I could sleep standing up.

I shake my head, pulling my long hair into a low ponytail. I've been feeling weak recently from the lack of sleep I'm getting. My insomnia keeps me awake at night, staring at the ceiling as Chris and Kenli sleep peacefully.

The image of my father or Erin busting through the window above my mattress plays over and over in my head. I can imagine them busting open the window. The glass shards would cover the floor and I would yank my blanket over my head to protect me.

They would rip my blanket out of my grasp and I would be defenseless against them. 

Kenli and Chris would be held at gunpoint, not being able to move. My father would yank me up, hoist me over his shoulder, and jump back out the window. He would take me with him for the lone fact that he needs a punching bag. 

After a few days of being tortured for my wrongdoings, they would finally kill me. The perfect way to come to an end. 




"Temp, you have to try." Chris grabs my attention again. 

"I can't. I was ripped away from everyone I knew and placed here. I... I don't know how to fit in here." Not that I could fit in at my old school anyways.

Tears build in my eyes, I can't look at him when I act this way. Why do I feel such shame in crying? Everyone cries.

"Why aren't you two in class? The bell has already signaled the start of class." 

We turn around with hunched shoulders, face to face with a well-built man. It takes me a few seconds before recognizing that this is Vice-Principal Amert. 

I will never get a break, will I?

"We... uh I was just showing my cousin to her class." Chris gives a cheeky grin, trying his best to give puppy eyes. I roll my eyes, puppy eyes from a guy? Only likely to work on a mother who misses her only son.

He eyes Chris, putting thoughts into his small brain. "You know what? I'll give you guys a warning just this once. Next time it happens you're done for. Detention for two days."

What? I can't believe my ears. How did that work?

"If it ever happens again you can give us detention for a week!" Chris salutes him off with a forced laugh, trying to rush us away from him.

He turns us around, pushing me in front of him to a classroom door that's supposed to be mine.

"Are you kidding? A week!" I want to punch him for saying such an absurd thing.

He looks into my eyes with worry, placing his hands on my shoulders, "Friends, you need friends. Make some." He tells me, sliding my backpack back onto my back.

I thin my lips, wanting to refuse his words.

The door opens up to our shock, revealing my supposed teacher. She looks like a librarian, to put it bluntly. 

Her orange hair is placed in a neat bun on the top of her head. Red lips overline her thin lips, there are deep wrinkles for smile lines.

"I almost didn't think that the new student would show up. I'm glad to see you have finally brought her to me." She says, giving me a disapproving look. 

"Good luck," Chris whispers by my cheek, his hot breath tickling my hair.

With those words, I am sent off to fend for myself. Walking into the classroom I feel all eyes fall on me. 

"Being late to class is a great first impression. I am Mrs. Trevors." She points to my seat, in the middle of a classroom full of strangers. 

As I walk towards my seat I spot a pair goofing off as Ryan and I did during lunch. 

My mind goes back to yesterday, my final day at Riverblossom high.




"You're leaving? What do you mean you're leaving?" Ryan follows me through the empty halls. 

"I... I'm sorry. It's not up to me." I tell him, trying to get away from his questions.

I open my locker, rummaging through the items I put in here at the beginning of the year. 

I try to ignore his words until he mentions Nicole's name. I thin out my lips, turning my head towards him in irritation. Without my brain comprehending what I'm doing, I ask him to repeat.

"What about Nicole? We have always been your friends and you're just up and leaving us?" He asks, his eyes are laced with sadness as he looks away from me.

I sigh, wrapping my arms around his toned body. His scent of wintergreen fills my nose as his strong arms pull me close.

"I... I don't want to leave. I like it here... but I live with Austin now. Austin says it's time for me to leave this place behind." I respond, still wrapped in his safe embrace.

The cold air wraps around my body as he lets me go. I can tell he wants to keep me here but the situation is hopeless.

"I haven't told Nicole the news... will you tell her for me? I'm only here to get the rest of my things and I don't have time to stop by and see her." I explain, grabbing an extra binder out of my locker and closing it. 

"Yeah... I'll tell her."




I wonder how she took it? She probably hates me. I was gone for the last few months, running around with Alec instead of her. I believe that was causing our friendship to slowly start to crumble. 

Now I can only wonder if she's on the brink of hating me, despising what we had as a friendship.