Chapter 2
1354 Words
Parker's POV
"What's wrong with her?" I think.
As I start to get up, I find a hand curling around my arms . I turn to see who it is.
It is that rude girl and attention seeker Hazel beaming a smile.
What's her problem? Can't she see I am least interested in her.
Does she stick like this with every new comer and in particular "new boys" of this school?
I hate girls like these who try hard getting attention and act desperate. I have seen enough of them at my old school.
I am not a shallow guy that she thinks I am.
I dont judge a book by it's cover!
I try removing her grasp from my hand but she seems to be stubborn and tightens her hold.
Calm down. It's your first day and you don't want to make a fuss out of small things Parker.
So, I don't make an other attempt to release her hold on me and inwardly cringe not showing how uncomfortable I am feeling on the outside.
“Come! let me introduce you to my friends" she says and pulls me along with her.
Did I say, I want to meet her friends?
No thanks, I can find better friends than having friends like yours, in one word - Shallow.
But, being a new transfer, I rather keep my mouth shut.Only time will tell, how quickly I can find genuine friends here.
"Hey guys! This is Parker and Parker- they are my friends" she says and introduces me to them.
It turns out, they are the school's popular gang and Hazel is a part of it.
"Nice meeting you. Which school are you from Parker? Any reason for you to shift to this school midyear?" Tom , a blonde haired guy apparently the school's football captain asks.
"Roosevelt High school at the other end of the city. No particular reason.We moved here recently and the school is nearer.” I say.
I wish there doesn’t come a situation where I need to encounter my past again.
They don’t need to know my past nor am I interested to tell them.
I wish to keep the secret buried deep within my brain!
I keep my replies short in order for them to stop talking but their blabber doesn’t seem to stop.
Even the guys here gossip! Can’t they cut to the chase and leave me alone!
I wait for them to finish their talking and aimlessly throw glances at everybody around, when I suddenly see the cute chubby nameless girl again.
Why was she ignoring me this morning? Does she know me?
Did I do something wrong?
As she strolls toward one of the tables with her food tray, everyone starts to get up, shooting glances of disgust at her.
Crazy jerks I think to myself . Why are they treating her this bad?
"Excuse me for a second" I say and get up.
Come on! She doesn't deserve this! Bullying isn't new and it follows whichever school I go to!
My past rewinds and I stand frozen for a minute.
Not again! I hope she doesn't feel traumatised by all this.
With these thoughts, I follow the path that leads to the cute nameless girl's table who is by now quietly eating her food.
“Can I sit here?" I ask.
She lifts her head up and stares straight into my eyes with a grain of rice stuck at the edge of her lips.
A curve raising upwards forms on my face immediately after seeing her. She looks cute.
Her eyes are mesmerising!They are greean as emerald. They speak a thousand words and I can see that she has gone through a lot.
I know it sounds too poetic. But, I am serious!
Did she see a ghost?
Why is she looking this shocked?
"Hello?Can I sit here?" I ask snapping at her.
She doesn't give a reply again.Anyway, I take a seat opposite her.
"Hey again , sorry I didn't get your name."-I say in order to start a conversation.
For a moment, she doesn't budge and just a fraction of second later, she hastily gets off the table and strides away, again leaving her plate on the table and starts walking fast taking long strides leaving her half empty plate behind.
I cannot take this anymore. What's wrong with her! Ignorance has it’s limits.
By now, everybody is already staring at the happenings.The whole of cafeteria is quiet as if waiting to know what is going to happen next!
Wow Parker!You made yourself the center of attention on your very first day!The fact you dreaded the most!
But, the insult is way too much to bear. So,, I walk fast and reach out to her, grab her hands and stop her. She turns to look at me.
"Why are you avoiding me?" I ask angrily.
She doesn't respond.
"I am not going to leave you until you respond!" I say.
She looks at me with teary eyes and flushed face.
"You want to know what my problem is right?"
"You are my problem!"
"My life is already messed up . Please don't make it anymore difficult ."
"You are just going to lose your reputation speaking to me and I don't want that! Everybody is already staring at us right now. I don't want to spoil your image of speaking to an outcast. Leave me alone ! " she says and walks away.
I am shocked by her answer and stand still.
Hazel and her gang come up to me. "The guts of that loser Melissa! She is an outcast of the school. Ignore her. Everybody does.
Don't worry!I will teach her a lesson. How dare she shouts at you!" Hazel spits out these harsh words with anger.
So, finally I know her name! "Melissa".
I know schools like these are partial towards the higher classes. The main reason of me transferring here was to run away from my past .But by the looks of it, some chapters never close.
It seems like God is giving me another chance by reopening that incomplete chapter again. All those scenes from the past, which I deter the most, roll in front of my eyes. I try hard to fight back my tears.
I will not let that happen again. I will protect Melissa however I can. Let her offend me, I do not care.
I see "her" in Melissa! The same eyes, she reminds me everything about her!
Don’t zone out again in thoughts of the past!
You have come here to start a new leash of life and forget the past! Reopening the past isn’t going to help you！
Are you alright? Tom asks while Hazel stares at me with confusion.
"Yes I am fine." I respond with my eyes still at the door.
"But you don't look fine to me. Is something bothering you? Has it got anything to do with that girl?" Tom asks.
"I am absolutely fine. Relax."
"Good! I was worried it had something to do with that loser's words. We will teach her a lesson for hurting you. Nobody speaks to her. Why bother yourself and worry about that prick!" Hazel replies.
How dare she speaks something like that! She is not a prick! This woman needs to learn giving respect.
I clench my fists tight trying to control my anger. I plaster a fake smile on my face and reply to Hazel.
If only I could punch her plastic face right now!
“She did not hurt me. You need not do anything. It was my mistake going and disturbing her.And most importantly, I would rather prefer you or anybody, not interfering in my matters. I can take care of matters myself.” I say trying to be as courteous as I can, simultaneously trying a botox smile.
Let Hazel think whatever she wants. I don’t give a damn!She should learn some manners.
With that, I excuse myself and walk away.
- Writer
