Elysium (2 page)

“Come on! You always take forever!”

I smiled at my reflection as Toby’s small voice came through the door. “The early bird catches the worm,” I called back. I really did hate that expression. Marie always said it in her motherly way. He growled and stomped off. I couldn’t help the satisfaction filling me.

I brushed my teeth quickly, grimacing with every stroke of my toothbrush. My head pounded something fierce, like a drum beating inside it. I closed my eyes, hoping the pills would kick in soon. The headaches were coming more frequently, but there was no way I was telling Marie. I knew as soon as I did, she would insist on taking me to the doctor. I quickly took a shower and primped myself for school, knowing in about ten minutes, Marie would be shouting for me to hurry.

****

Before I walked through the kitchen, I smelled frying bacon and heard Marie humming. My stomach flipped at the assaulting smells. Marie was a great cook, but lately my appetite had been anything but ferocious.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Marie added in her ever-present chipper voice.

Marie was always happy in the morning, though I had no idea why. I grumbled back to her and sat at the table, next to Toby. He gave me an evil look, his hair disheveled and his pajamas wrinkled, as he bit into a crisp piece of bacon. Marie was our foster mother and the best one I’d ever had. I had lived with her for three years now, the longest time I had lived in one place.

After being shipped from home to home, it was pure luck I found one as great as hers. Along with me, Toby, Mack, and Cecile lived with Marie. Toby and Mack were ten, Cecile only seven.

I grabbed a piece of plain toast and quickly drank some orange juice. Mack and Cecile were finishing breakfast, both of their gazes trained on me like they knew something I didn’t.

“What?” I spoke around a mouthful of flavorless toast, which only got me a stern look from Marie.

I finished eating my toast and chugged the rest of the juice. I was about to slip out when Marie turned around with a cupcake, topped with a lit candle.

“Now, I know it isn’t until Saturday, but it would make me happy if you just played along.”

I groaned internally. I never really liked being the center of attention. I plastered a smile on my face, not wanting to make Marie sad. “Thanks.” She set the chocolate cupcake in front of me, and on cue, the four of them sang.

****

I walked down the sidewalk towards school, adjusting my backpack and bringing my coat closer to my body. November being just around the corner, the weather was starting to become frigid. I could hear two girls behind me and, as they got closer, I recognized their voices as Anne Miller and Katie Sanchez.

“Oh look, Ms. Antisocial,” Anne said coolly.

I ground my teeth, resisting the need to turn around and make a smart ass comment. I didn’t want to antagonize them—at least that’s what Marie always lectured me about. Anne pushed me out of the way with her shoulder as they walked by. I lost my balance, my backpack way overloaded with books I didn’t need. I fell back, my arms flailing in every direction, before I fell in a puddle of water. I landed in it, my butt making a big
splash
as water sprayed everywhere. Both Anne and Katie turned around, not even bothering to hide their laughter. I gave them the dirtiest look I could muster and was completely pleased when a sliver of fear crossed their faces.

“What a freak.” Anne sneered before they turned and stalked back towards the school.

“Wow, that sucks big time.”

I turned around and gave the dirty look to the person behind me. I was surprised when I saw that it was Heath McKinley. I was even more shocked that he was talking to someone like me. Don’t get me wrong. I thought I was fabulous, but he was the most popular guy at school, not to mention the star quarterback and Anne’s boyfriend.

He held out his hand to me, and I tentatively took it. He had never spoken to me before, so I was suspicious at how friendly he was being. “Thanks.” I wiped the water off my butt as best I could and groaned at my misfortune. I saw him eyeing my butt, maybe even a look of appreciation crossing his features. He realized he had been caught staring and smiled in embarrassment, his cheeks becoming pink.

Heath was really good-looking, if you liked that surfer boy kind of thing. His sandy, blond hair brushed his collar, and his blue eyes were bright and crystal clear. He had a pretty nice body too, but I made sure not to eye it and make myself obvious.

“It’ll dry.”

“Yeah, thanks,” I said it kind of sarcastically, but this was a weird situation, and I was a little uncomfortable.

“Well, yeah, um, so I’m Heath.”

He held his hand out for me to shake, and all I did was look at it. It was funny how he kept tripping over his words. “I know. I’m in your calculus class.”

“Oh, sorry, I don’t pay much attention in there.”

“I know. I see the test grades you get back.” His cheeks became red again, and I laughed out loud. “It’s no big deal. No one gets good grades in that class.” He stared at me, and I started to get a little creeped out. It wasn’t because I thought he was a weirdo or anything.
He was of course the most popular guy in school. It was because he was looking at me with an interest having nothing to do with my situation.

I cleared my throat and started off to school, contemplating if I should head back home to change pants. I decided against it, knowing I didn’t want to have to explain anything to Marie. I would just have to suck it up and hope my pants dried before lunch.

“Hey, wait up.”

I started to walk faster, confused as to why Heath wanted anything to do with me. “If you knew what was good for your popularity, you wouldn’t talk to me.” I kept to myself for a reason. Most of the students at school were so fake it was ridiculous. It was all about who had the newest clothes and who knew the latest gossip. It was exhausting keeping up with all that crap.

“Hey.”

He had to jog to keep up with me, but he finally caught up and kept a steady pace beside me. “I don’t care if you don’t.”

I stopped at what he said, so totally confused my mind was going to explode. I held my hand up when he looked like he was going to say something. “Let me get this straight. You want to be my friend all of the sudden, because why?”

He just stared at me, finally shrugging. “I don’t know.
Why not?”

“Aren’t you dating Anne?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Uh, yeah, that should say enough.” I started to walk again, hoping he would get the picture and leave me the hell alone.

“Why are you being so rude?”

I had to laugh at that. I didn’t stop walking though.

“You know, I saw what Anne did and I feel bad. I’m not a total asshole. I thought you could use a friend, but it’s clear I was wrong.”

He walked past me, shoving his hands in his pants pockets. I should have felt bad, but I didn’t. If I were to be friends with Heath, Anne would never let me live it down. The weather was cold, and the fact that my pants were wet didn’t help matters. I crossed the bridge, the creek below me rushing quickly across the moss covered rocks. The mountains were in the horizon, their snow capped tops standing out against the baby blue sky.  Even though I lived here, I sometimes felt like I didn’t belong.

I made my way up the steps to the school’s main entrance. Of course, Anne and Katie stood just inside the entrance, smug smirks creasing their perfectly painted lips. I smiled back at them. “Morning, ladies.” I walked past them, not missing how everyone around me seemed to already know about my little mishap. I went to the bathroom, praying the automatic hand dryer wasn’t on the fritz today. I pushed the door open, thankful the bathroom was empty.

“Please work, please work.” I said it like a mantra, setting my backpack on the floor and taking my coat off. I pushed the big silver button, smiling and thanking the heavens when hot air blew out. I turned around and made sure my butt got most of the warm air. I’m sure anyone walking in right now would love to see me in this “compromising” position. I heard the bell ring and decided half-dry pants were better than nothing.

I quickly washed my hands and looked at myself in the mirror. My dark hair was more or less stringy, some of the puddle water having splashed on my locks. My eyes looked a bright blue today, or maybe it was because my cheeks and nose were red from the chill of the air? I had dark circles around my eyes and a massive headache threatening to burst through.

I heard the second bell ring and headed to my Anatomy and Physiology class. When I walked in, everyone was already seated, talking so loud it only intensified my migraine. Mrs. Henley stood at her desk, clearly having some trouble hooking up the projector. I took my regular seat, at the back of the class, and waited for it to be over with.

Kallie Hendersen sat next to me, further down the social totem pole than I was. It didn’t help she had flaming red hair and a smattering of freckles covering her pale face.

“It’s cold today.”

She always initiated small talk with me. It wasn’t that I was trying to be rude to her, but I was already having a crappy morning, and my mood was shot.

“Yeah.” I slumped in my seat and closed my eyes, as my headache roared to full force. Mrs. Henley started her lecture on the reproductive system. Her words caused most of the class to snicker, some of the guys throwing out suggestive comments to the girls.

“Am I boring you, Miss Caldwell?”

It took me a moment to realize she was talking to me. I slowly opened my eyes, the harsh florescent lights like knives piercing my skull. “What?”

“I asked if I was boring you.”

Looking around the room, I was acutely aware of every pair of eyes on me. “No, why?”

“I just assumed, since you had your eyes closed.”

Some of my classmates snickered, and I felt my face heat in embarrassment. I squirmed in my chair and cleared my throat. “I’m sorry. I just have a headache.”

Mrs. Henley watched me silently for a suspended moment, as if gauging my expression for a hidden lie. “Do you need to see the nurse?”

“No, I already took something. It just hasn’t kicked in yet.” Maybe I shouldn’t have worded it like that, because after I said it I realized it sounded a little incriminating.

She nodded and started her lecture again as if there had been no interruption. Thankfully she turned off the light. The overhead projection suddenly illuminated the classroom and students instantly started giggling. A drawn picture of the male and female genital regions popped up on the chalkboard.

Mrs. Henley proceeded to explain every bit and piece, going into great detail, which only caused the laughter to increase. She was, of course, oblivious to what was going on around her.  I silently thanked the higher powers when the bell finally rang. I grabbed my bag and started making my way toward the front of the class. There were of course sexual comments being thrown around by the guys to each girl that walked by.

“Hey, Meadow, need me to personally go over the material with you?”

I rolled my eyes at Ian Krish. “You wish.”

“Don’t you know it!”

This was how every guy was in this school. It didn’t matter so much if you were so geeky no one talked to you, or if you were the most popular girl in school. They were equally disgusting to each and every female that crossed their path. Sexual harassment threats didn’t go very far with them because I doubted the majority even knew what that meant.

“Get a life.” Mumbling under my breath I hurried and left.

I went through my next two periods in a blur, my mind so unfocused because of the pain in my head it was a wonder I could walk. I popped two more aspirin, needing them to kick in right away. When lunch finally rolled around, my appetite had picked up. I stood in line, the smell of the baked bread causing my stomach to grumble.

I stared out the windows that lined the far wall in the cafeteria. Outside, it looked as if it had warmed up, but I didn’t trust the Colorado weather. It could be twenty degrees with the sun shining.

Someone nudged me forward, and I muttered my apology. I took a red tray and looked at the unappetizing food offered. I decided on a bowl of fresh fruit, well, as fresh as this time of year offered, and a slice of banana bread. My appetite had suddenly taken a nosedive.

I paid for my food and searched for an empty seat. It was always crowded in the cafeteria. Most of the time I opted to eat in the music room because the solitude was calming. Glancing around the packed room, I saw Heath sitting by himself. Guilt for the way I treated him sprang up inside of me, and I decided I at least could say thank you.

Making my way toward him, I pulled my tray close to my body to avoid the swinging elbow or the wild crowd. “Hi.” He looked up, a surprised expression covering his face momentarily. His blond hair was disheveled, the straight strands hanging loosely across his forehead. His bright blue eyes regarded me solemnly, expecting the bitch to reemerge, I suspected. “Listen,” I dropped my gaze to the ground, suddenly uncomfortable. “I’m sorry for the way I acted earlier.”

When he didn’t respond, I lifted my eyes to look at him. He shrugged and then looked down at his tray. He moved his fries around on his plate for a moment before looking up at me again. “It’s okay, no biggie.” We both smiled, and I felt relief wash through me. The last thing I wanted to do was be nasty to one of the only genuine people at this shit hole.