Welcome to my mini-series, Imelika and the World of Magic! Warning: This chapter contains bullying and a mention of violence. The violence is at the end and isn't very written out, so that should be fine. A normal school day with a normal main character and normal, friendly kids. Not. The story is in the credits. First: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/886896492 Previous: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/888863124 Next: Not here yet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This chapter is the start of the change. Kind of like a part one. But isn't this entire story just different parts, with viewers waiting for the next? Well, if you were me, you wouldn't like this part. As I walked into the school building, I knew today was going to be different. Not in a good way. I ignored my intuition as every person who's about to make a big mistake does, and prepared myself for school. I didn't prepare myself for algebra or long, mind numbing speeches, but for the worst thing about school in my opinion. The students. The first few parts of the day went normally. I failed half my pop quiz, accidentally fell asleep during history class, and had a stomach rumbling more than an earthquake by the time I was dismissed for break. Besides the food, break was the worst part of my day. I sat down on a bench all the way at the edge of the outdoor cafeteria. Unfortunately, even sitting far away won't keep you safe from bullies. "Hey!" A deep voice called. I looked up from my snack, homemade granola bars and an apple, and saw them. The two most popular kids, also known as the most popular couple, in school. Sherwood, the most athletic boy in school, winning shot maker on the school basketball team, and Maryann, the most followed on social media in school, perfect in every way. Of course they were dating. They're just like each other, especially because of their reputation to be bullies to weird people. People like me. "Aw, so you didn't leave the school yet. My dreams during winter break didn't come true." I sighed, looking at Sherwood and Maryann. "Ha! I wish I had left this rubbish school!" Maryann laughed. "Unfortunately, I haven't. And even worse, you're still here." "What do you have for snack, bird food?" Sherwood asked. The gang of kids surrounding him and his girlfriend laughed, acting as if he was the funniest person on Earth. I knew that a few of them knew what he was doing was wrong. They used to be my friends once. But they thought that you either sided with the kids who bully, or be bullied. "What do you have, snacks that will cause your teeth to rot and fall out?" I asked. Sure, my food wasn't fruit snacks and nutella sticks, but it was much better for your health! "All I heard was 'blah blah, I'm a health nerd.’” Maryann teased. Behind her, the group of kids laughed, saying things like "So funny!" and "You tell her, Maryann!" I groaned, paying no attention to the lame insults. At least, that’s what I wanted to do. Even though they were basically the same insults that I always hear, they still hurt me. “Don’t call her a nerd! She holds a world record… for getting the lowest score in algebra!” Sherwood joked. Everyone laughed, sounding more like a laugh track and less like a group of kids. I turned away, trying to tune them out. /Why can’t those jerks just have a heart for once?/ I thought, imagining my eyes glaring lasers into Sherwood and Maryann’s heads. Lily always told me to ignore bullies. Apparently, if you do that, they'll get bored and leave. However, once Sherwood kicked my lunch box away, spilling its contents all over the ground, I couldn't stop myself from fighting back again. "At least I don't text my friends more than I talk to them." I snapped. "Of course you don't! You don't have any friends!" Maryann laughed. That stung. /Doesn't she know that she's the reason I have no friends?"/ I thought bitterly. /Of course she does. She's probably proud of that./ "You're the reason why I have no friends. You're heartless!" I exclaimed, making eye contact with Maryann. For a second, she seemed surprised. But just as quick as it happened, her strange expression disappeared, replaced by her usual confidence. "That's wrong," she said, walking closer to me. Her voice sweetened like bad candy. "You have no friends because nobody wants you. Your own family doesn't want you." I wince, stepping back. Maryann was going too far. She usually never spoke about my family. I was afraid that if she kept talking, I'd do something that I'd regret. "Stop lying." I muttered, backing away. Unfortunately, Maryann noticed. "Aw, what's wrong?" she asked. "Going to cry to your mommy? Oh, right! She hated you so much that she abandoned y-" Before she could finish her sentence, my anger took over. I lunged and Maryann fell onto the ground with a shriek.
