COPYRIGHT NOTE: all ideas and excerpts of writing are reserved for @Eva_One and @-joyfulwriting- unless told otherwise. any instance or event within writing is completely original and any resemblance is coincidental. I slumped in my chair. Swallowing hard, I gave the two boys that looked more like giants a side eye as they strutted into the room. I stared at the ground, as they passed me. Their deep voices resonated as they chuckled at something. I dared not show my annoyance in front of them. They would come over and paint me black and blue. The professor entered the room, scanning all of us with his razor sharp vision, checking for disruptive behavior. A few girls came through the door and sat next to me. I glanced over at them and saw them gawking at the two boys who had come in earlier. One of the girls shot me a quick look and I smiled at her. She sneered and scooted her chair closer to her friends. Another girl came in, and the professor gestured to the seat beside me. She glared imploringly at our instructor, but relented and sat down next to me. “Sorry,” I whispered under my breath, acknowledging the girl, “your name’s Sofie?” The girl raised her eyebrow and forced a smile, “Yeah,” I opened my mouth to introduce myself, but she hurriedly busied herself with writing nonsense in her notebook. I deflated like a balloon and ruffled my hair. The professor began teaching, but I didn’t hear him. I fixed my eyes on his nose, following it as he walked around the room. Hopefully, he thought I was paying attention. But did good grades even matter? Would it really get me anywhere in life? I thought I was average looking, but apparently my height takes away from that. Nevertheless, all the information that came spewing out of the professor’s mouth went in my left ear, and out the other. The school bell rang. I rose from my seat and packed my bags. I lowered my head, looking at my feet as the two tall boys passed by. The girls next to me left as well. I waited at the door, watching everyone walk ahead of me. Finally, when the last of the other pupils had exited, I followed suit. We – if I could have dared to even call myself part of society, but we all went out to the food hall, picking up the complimentary lunch sack. I reached out to grab one of the brown paper sacks, but one of the tall boys pushed me out of the way, snatching the one I had my eye on. The boy didn’t care to lend me a second of his time. I felt nothing physically, but for some reason, tears welled in my eyes and blurred my vision. My cheeks flushed red. I shook as I rose and picked up the next lunch sack. I began walking out of the door of the lunch hall when one of the tall boys stopped me. “You gonna cry, shorty?” he snubbed. ----
I signed with my hands: No. “Are you gonna talk?” he pressed. I opened my mouth, looking into his eyes. The boy shoved me to the ground again, “Don’t dare speak.” Signs: Yes, sir. He left, an indifferent expression on his face. Dusting my pants and began to head for the school exit. My pace was quick, my brain quicker. I bit my lip, holding back the tears. As I walked out of the door, I saw a girl, around my age, walking through the entrance. I stepped back quickly, and signed: My bad, my lady. She looked at me questioningly, one eyebrow raised. “Excuse me?” her voice was firm, strong, but kind, and caring. I glanced at my shoes. Signs: Pardon, lady. I was in your way. “Do you speak?” she inquired. I’d fallen for that trick before. Signs: Not in your gracious presence. The girl was hesitant in her response, “You may speak. You have permission.” I answered quietly and timidly, “Yes, lady.” “You don’t need to be afraid.” “Lady,” I addressed her, “I will not disrespect you in such a way.” “Um,” she cleared her throat, “yes. Thank you, but you don’t need to be formal.” I raised my gaze from my shoelaces to her eyes. Her eyes were soft, but had greater meaning and purpose behind them. Of course, she was taller than me, but I didn’t mind. “Your name?” My eyebrows raised, “You want to know my name?” “Yes,” she laughed, not crude or taunting, but full of joy and playfulness. “Elias Keller,” I replied, “and you?” She looked past me at the wall for a moment, “Rarrena.” I smiled at her for several moments, “I haven’t seen you before, did you just start coming?” Rarrena nodded, “Yes. I arrived yesterday. Why do you act like that?” I opened my mouth to ask for clarification, when the clock struck five. Her head snapped back at me and apologies flooded across her face. “I am so sorry, I have an important appointment I must make,” Rarrena smiled and hustled out of the door. I stared in disbelief of the encounter. People passed by me as I leaned up against the wall. I shrugged, and exited the building. What was her name again? Reva? Randi? Rena? Yes, Rena sounded right. I ran my hand through my hair, as my heart still raced. No one had ever cared enough to allow me to speak, whether it be as a defense of myself or as small talk. I only wished everyone could be like that. I walked along the sidewalk. Glancing to the side, I saw smoke several miles off. Under my breath, “I hope Rena’s alright.” Half joking – half not.
