Five

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and lifting my hands high above my head, craning my neck to the side; I took a long relaxing stretch. The tension rolled off my shoulders and my muscles softened. I let out a yawn, ready to start my day.

“Elizabeth, school doesn’t start for at least another two hours.” Her worry was unnecessary.

I shuffled towards the door, down the stairs to the only bathroom in the house. I took a quick shower, wishing I could stay longer, until the water ran cold. Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped the hideously pink towel around my body. Walking to the mirror, I stood on my tippy toes, but I still couldn’t see my reflection, but with my vertical impairment I was not surprised. Giving up, I made my way to the kitchen. Even if I spent hours on my face I could never manage to look anything other than ordinary.

I walked down the narrow hallway singing along to the song blustering through the speakers. I wondered how Janice could think through such depressing music. The walls were plastered with pictures of my father, it was painfully hard to realise that Janice never got over Richard’s death. I tried not to cringe. Trying to calm my angst, I popped some anxiety pills and strolled back down the hallway, up the stairs to my bedroom.

I couldn’t decide on what to wear. The knee length skirt and transparent cardigan seemed oddly inappropriate for the weather outside. Finally – after battling over my indecision for half an hour and the better half of my closet on the floor (my everyday routine) – I settled with a floral blouse, blue coat, dark jeans and converse.

At school my hands refused to unclench the umbrella cap even as I looked at the time and realized I only had twenty minutes left. I let out a shaky breath and closed my eyes. I tried to convince myself it won’t be so horrible. I just had to avoid Bradley. When I opened my eyes a black Ferrari with dark windows was parked on my right side. I couldn’t understand the rush of emotions that swelled through my body at the sight of a luxurious car.

I did a quick mirror check. I looked terrible! My long starling red curls were in a tangled, wet mess that usually took days to tame. I pulled it back in a messy ponytail. My green eyes were too bright too big. My tan skin looked flushed; I was nervous.

I covered my head with my jacket before I was out of the shade of the umbrella and on my way to the entrance. I had to bite my lower lip to avoid running my hand over the Ferrari’s smooth hood as I passed it.

Drawing in a long, relaxing breath did absolutely nothing to alleviate my apprehension. With my teeth clenched, my eyes rolled back, irritated at the persistent agitation of something that just wouldn't go away.

The haunted building was less scary on the inside, with bright lights. I welcomed the warmth immediately and blew on my free hand. I was freezing. I found my homeroom immediately; a whiskey deep voice welcomed me before I even knocked.

Despite the edgy feeling, an abrupt serenity to swept over me, sparring with the impatience. Unlocking the door and stepping into the room; which had freshly coloured navy walls, with certificates and trophies hanging high on the cabinets. I took a deep breath, inhaling and delighting in the scent of coffee that enveloped me and made my stomach rumble. Darn, I should have listened to Janice and had something to eat.

The strange sensation I felt all morning gradually became frighteningly more severe than before. The eccentric bustle, more like a bustling now, swelling around my ears, it was almost like a physical compulsion; a dangerously severe perception. Glancing around the room, again, I stifled a snigger at my paranoia. Apprehensive by the restlessness my body felt today; I shifted from foot to foot. Oddly enough, I also felt miraculously better… psychologically. I was happier than earlier.

“Ms White,” He said pleasantly but his voice didn’t match his expression. His face was nothing inviting, his black eyes resolutely cold. Like his face his body was visibly rigid.

School was oddly unbearable that day; it had little to do with the expected angst of a surprise test and homework but a lot with the fact that Bradley wasn’t at school. I shuffled through my day mindlessly.