Three

I kept willing the car to have a difficulty or breakdown. I didn't want to go to school without my usual shield. I wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea at all.

I think my mom noticed the way I was fidgeting because she said"I don't know why you're so nervous honey. There is nothing to be worried about. You are beautiful. You don't have to hide it."

I sighed and replied"You are my mom. You have to say that."

She smiled but said nothing,her eyes on the road.

When I finally reached the school,my heart hammered in my chest as I tried to steady my wobbling feet. I didn't think that I was ready to take this type of step. It made people see my vulnerability and I didn't want that. I was already gullible and just by looking into my clear blue eyes,you could guess my fears..see what I was afraid of and I didn't want anyone to know my fears. Even my friends.

"What are you thinking about sweetie?"My mom got out of the car when she saw that I was fixed on to one spot.

"Mom please,can I get my stuff back?"My voice shook and I bit my lip to fight back the tears.

My mom stared at me for a while and I thought maybe she would give me the accessories back but she turned away from me and said"No."

Then almost immediately,my mom ran back to the car and sped off so that she wouldn't be emotionally blackmailed. The sight was so funny that I forgot my plight for a second.

A second!

"Oh."I heard that snarly voice behind me and I turned slowly to the hands of May.

Her face paled in shock when she saw that I wasn't even wearing my glasses but she masked it with a usual bitchy face.  She began to clap her hands saying" Wow,wow and wow. I never thought that I would see the day. The day you become even more uglier. Why'd you decide to stop wearing those awful head warmers?"

I kept silent because I didn't have the energy to explain myself to the chick. She took my silence for fear and she flipped her hair and walked away with the slaves she called friends.

My heart stopped beating so fast and I tried to walk slowly. I heard my name in a voice I knew so well.

"Ingrid! Ingrid!"Sapphire ran to where I was standing with great difficulty. When she was almost in front of me she stopped in surprise.

"Holy fuck! You didn't wear that stupid shit."She said and I laughed at her choice of words.

"No Sapphire,I didn't wear that stupid shit."

In a second Victoria was by my side and she kissed my cheek in greeting before her eyes looked over my face and she said"Looking good babe."She kissed my cheek again and I tried to ignore how her lips were close to my mouth.

Sapphire and Victoria ohhed and ahhed over my hair. This is exactly why I always wore my head warmer.

"I never knew your hair is so rich and colorful"Sapphire said in her adorable way.

"Now you know it is"I said.

"You should burn your head warmer and glasses."Victoria said firmly.

"No"I said copying her tone"why should I?"

She rolled her eyes at me and Sapphire mused out loud"I bet if Troy Black could see you now,he would be head over heels for you."

It was my turn to roll my eyes now and as if on cue,He entered the school.

I tried to ignore the fact that Sapphire words had registered in my brain. That maybe,just maybe,Troy could notice me.

He walked closer and closer to me....and then he passed me again.

I couldn't control the tears from spilling down my face,rejection stinging every cell in my body.

**

My heart still bleed when I thought about what had happened. I wanted to be mad at him but I couldn't. It wasn't his fault anyways. It was my fault and the color of my skin.

I couldn't stand sitting next to him and remembering the way he passed me nonchalantly so I sat down in front of him so I could avoid seeing his face but still feeling his warmth.

What??

Don't blame me!!

This boy was really cute.

I just had to be close to him somehow.

He entered the class and took his usual sit next to his clownish friend Mayn. They gave each other slapping handshakes and began to discuss the conquest they had the previous night.

Ten minutes later,I was still eavesdropping on their conversation with jealousy but Mrs Love was no where to be found. I began to get worried for her because now that I thought of it,she seemed uncomfortable in the last class.

Just as my thoughts began to get horrifying,the principal entered.

"Good morning students"Principal Kendra greeted.

"Good morning ma'am"The student answered.

"Ingrid,I can see that you are still wearing this horrible canvass of yours."She said mocking me.

Some of the students laughed but I ignored her. I haven't changed my shoes because they were still good and just had little tears, here and there. Why would I need a new one? Do I look like a Queen bee?

"Mrs Love"she said with a smirk"took a maternity leave today. She won't be back for a while. We are still trying to find a substitute so this period is free."

She said and walked out of the class briskly and quickly. She went as fast as she came.

As soon as Principal Kendra left the class,the students started jubilating. They clapped and banged on the table making a hell of noise. I was irritated by it all but I couldn't do any other thing about it. I used my hands to cover my ears so I could block out the noise.

I grew surprised when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Who could this be,I thought.

I turned slowly and came face to face with Troy. A small smile was on his face and his hand was on my shoulder.

I was very sure my heart was beating ten thousand times faster and my mouth hung open in shock as I tried to process the emotions that overwhelmed me. He removed his hand and dragged a chair close to me with one finger,still staring at me as he did this.

"Hey"He said,a little loudly. Hearing his deep voice close to me did weird things to my body.

Hey?

Who was he talking to?

Was he talking to me ?

It's you dummy,my subconscious admonished loudly in my head but I refused to believe.

"Hey beautiful"Troy said again.

Beautiful??

He can't be talking to me.

Then he touched my shoulder and asked"Are you new?"

I swallowed hard and said"New I am not"

I cursed myself inwards for embarrassing myself in front of Troy Black of all people.

Troy laughed and said"What's your name?"

"Dunlop Ingrid"I answered.

Troy looked shocked for a moment as a look of recognition passed his handsome features"Oh. I am so sorry for calling you a cat."He muttered apologetically.

I was confused by his words for a while then I remembered the incident so I said"Never mind that. It happens. It is the head warmer and glasses it does things to you."

"You should burn those"Troy said matter of factly,referring to my "shit"

Once I got home,I was going to burn my head warmer and glasses.

"So"Troy continued talking to me which surprised me"How about I take you home in my car?"

Shock filled me to the core and just then,the room started spinning,Troy image blurred and then the room went black!