Bitter Pill(Undeserved)

CHAPTER 8*I Avoid Trouble*

The rest of the week flew by in a flash, and I did my best in avoiding the douche named Tristan? Troye? Trevor? Travis? Whatever his name was. 

I have no business in keeping his name in my head or try to remember what his actual name is. The boy is a total douchebag. 

I thought since he was Skylar's younger brother and is now schooling here, we could be friends just like I and Skylar was, well maybe partial friends not like I would be able to talk to him or have a good conversation anyway.

Yet I wasn't expecting him to shove me into the trash can, like what in heavens name is bloody wrong with him.  

 One minute he was a charming prince holding onto my arms and preventing me from falling on my arse the next minute, he became an arsehole who shoved me into a trashcan when I did nothing to him. 

Throughout that day, I kept trying to remember what I did wrong that made him shove me, then his threat about making my life a living hell and after stressing my brain the entire day, I couldn't come up with any reason whatsoever why he did what he did. 

Therefore at the end of the week, I concluded that the boy either has mental issues or he is suffering from temporary memory loss. 

And through the school week, I made sure I didn't go anywhere near him, not that I walk about school anyway or use the cafeteria. I wait until everyone leaves for lunch before I go to my spot. Under the stairway that leads to the rooftop on the east wing of the school building, I know no one goes there. 

Still, I had this inkling feeling I need to be careful of the boy Trav? Trevor? It's Trevor.

Once I had my lunch packed, I threw my bag over my shoulder and stepped out of the house, making my way to school. 

After staying in the house, alone the first day my parents travelled, and the second day I got used to the idea that I would be home alone for two months by myself. 

And I realised there are no differences between when they didn't travel and when they did.    

It's pretty much the same thing, even if they were in town, they wouldn't be home at this time, neither will I meet them at home if I get back from school nor will I see them before dinner or bed, so there was no difference aside from the fact that I knew they would be away for two months.

 However, the atmosphere in the house still reeked of loneliness, and it makes me miss Jaidyn so much I wish I could hate him for just leaving like that, without thinking of telling me. Without giving me something to hold onto or hope if he would come back or not. 

Yet even if I tried to I can't hate him, because he is my brother and the only real friend I had, he understood me more than anyone. He was the only one who didn't treat me differently, so maybe he thought it was better not to bid goodbye before he left, whatever his reasons were I am sure it is for the best. 

I walked into the first class I have for today, which is chemistry, and I went straight to my usual seat at the far end of the classroom, close to the window, where I can be by myself, without the teacher picking interest in me. 

I did personal research last week on Skylar's younger brother, and I was glass when I found that he was a senior and I won't be sharing classes with him, it gave me more leverage on how to avoid him and stay away from his path. 

Having him in the same class would have been pretty bad, and I am not one for bad things or problems, I love my unproblematic high school life, and I have every intent on keeping it that way till I graduate next year and then I'll leave town. 

 Fifteen minutes later and students started filing into class more like rushing because our chemistry teacher would be walking in, any moment from now. 

I looked towards the door and rolled my eyes behind my bangs as some of them struggled in the number of four through the doorway which they know quite well can only take two humans at a time, yet they do this all the time, trying to fit into the tiny space at the same time. 

They can avoid having to struggle through the doorway every day if they show up to school on time as I do. 

I started showing up to school thirty minutes before the first class from middle school when I realised the disadvantages of coming in five minutes or three minutes before class. 

Being selectively mute and me not liking people meant I had to stay in the shadows one way or the other, to avoid any situation that would warrant me to speak to anyone or someone talking to me. 

I knew if I wanted to stay out of trouble and not give these teenagers the wrong impression that I am proud or arrogant, coming to school earlier than the norm was a way to prevent such happenings. 

That way I'll be the first in the classroom aside from the janitors.

So I have no reason to talk to anyone in the hallway or bump into anyway. 

Only last week Tuesday that I came to school, late because of my parents, I was unfortunate to bump into someone who for no reason decided to threaten my existence in the school.  

Just as I predicted, our chemistry teacher waltz into the class, wearing his crooked glasses and usual plaid dress shirt roughly tucked into his bootcut jean pants.

 The entire class goes silent with his presence, Mr Howard, although he looks shabby half the school year. He is known for his expertise in failing students, one of his many rules aside from being punctual and early submission of homework is the no noise rule while he is in the class. 

Once a person talks without permission, that is an automatic C-minus from Mr Howard.

If you have anything to say, such student needs to wait till Mr Howard turns his attention towards the class then they raise their hand as a sign for permission to speak, it is either that or an automatic C-minus. 

"If you know, you didn't submit the chemistry homework I gave you last Friday be on your feet."   

Mr Howard announces pushing his glasses down and leaving it to rest on his nose. 

Two girls and Three guys stood on their feet reluctantly with a groan, and I looked away, out the window already knowing how the situation would end. 

"Am I obligated to ask you the reason why you failed to submit my homework? No." 

"Sir I did the homework, but I was late for school on Friday due to the absence of our family driver, and I had to wait for dad to bring me to school." 

 Charlotte, the school princess, said in a whinny voice and Mr Howard shakes his head in pity at her I presume. 

"That is no business of mine Charlotte Jenkins; you could have taken the bus." 

Mr Howard replies with disinterest in her pity story and goes to flip through the homework on his table. 

"I see not many of you paid attention to the previous classes we had, or maybe you paid attention but decided to sleep on my homework. For this reason, I have decided to use your scores in this homework as your first test score, and I am glad to tell you the majority of you fail woefully. Once you hear your name come out for your sheets." 

 The entire classroom fills up with murmurs and groans of disapproval, but Mr Howard paid no mind to them as he starts with the name-calling. 

  " Kennedy? Lydia, Harold, Lawrence, Ade, Margaret, Pedro." 

As Mr Howard calls the names of after the other, each student goes to collect their sheets, some sat down with a sigh of relief, while others with an annoying groan. Some of the girls hissed lightly, and some Jock boys tore their sheets aggressively. 

My eyes moved from one person to the other as they each showed a sign of their Displeasure or Joy. 

"Ariel?" 

Mr Howard calls my Middle name, which I had mistakenly written on my homework sheet instead of my first and Last name. 

He looks around the classroom searching for Ariel, and I quietly stand on my feet, walking to his desk, stretching out my hand to him. 

"Are you Ariel Corkett." 

He asks I wanted to reply with a Yes, but my voice didn't want to cooperate at the moment, so I only nod my head, he looks back and forth between me and the sheet. 

"I am not going to ask why your name changes because I know I won't get an answer, take this and go back to your seat you scored the highest mark." 

Mr Howard says handing me the sheet and I nod again walking back to my seat not making eye c*ontact with anyone. 

The students paid no mind to me, and I am glad they didn't, half of them don't even know my name. 

"For those of you, that thought it appropriate not to do my homework, leave my class and I don't want to see you in my class for the next three weeks." 

 Mr Howard announces, and the culprits didn't waste any time in packing their bags, and they stomp out of the classroom, they knew better than to plead with Mr Howard because it would either earn them another week or the rest of the term. 

  As the classroom door closes after them, Mr Howard clears his throat and starts today's topic. 

  My last class for the day English was surprisingly dull and annoying our English teacher didn't make it, so a substitute teacher taught us in his stead and I wished I had skipped that class. 

As the last student left the cl, I turned in my classwork to the dull geeky looking substitute teacher and fastened my steps out of the class before she calls for me, if I had a thing for women and I was older I won't marry her even if given to me for free. 

With my head down and hoodie covering half of my face, I made my way down the hallway towards my locker.

Once at my locker, I unlocked it, putting back the books I won't be needing at home for my evening studies.

I took out the books for tomorrow to revise the last class not and study ahead of tomorrow's class. 

As I sort out my books, a loud laugh resonates from the sharp corner of the hallway. I turned my head slightly peeking beneath my bangs to see who the voice belongs to a part of me hoped it was Bryce, the owner of the voice soon rounded the corner and although one of the boys walking towards my direction was Bryce, among the group was Skylar's younger brother. 

I stuffed my bag with the books I needed for self-study at home and out of my haste I closed the locker door with a bang attracting their attention, I turned my head briefly to see the boys looking my way, and Skylar's brother had this look in his eyes like he was accessing who made the noise.

I turned the lock of the locker, throwing my bag over my shoulder, and I speed my way towards the school exit. 

" Hey, Jaidyn's little brother stop." 

I heard Skylar's brother call behind me, but I paid no attention, nor did I think of stopping,  I loved that my legs cooperate with me. 

"You little piece of sh*t, I said stop." 

His voice boomed through the hallway, but I was long gone and I practically half-ran to the gate, I don't usually take the bus, but I crossed to the bus stop quickly boarding the bus home. 

I don't know his reason for calling me, but sincerely I don't want to know. I avoid trouble, no matter how great or small it is.

Yet everything about Skylar's brother screamed trouble in the highest pitch.