She Cried Wolf (OLD)

Edited 12/14/2020 and 3/25/2021

Beep

Beep

Beep

I fumble clumsily with my phone as the alarm blares through the room. I quickly dress in the uniform I was given which consists of: a light blue button-up and a navy blue skirt with a white stripe,a black jacket and a navy blue tie. I put the knee-high socks on and slip on my black shoes. Walking into the bathroom and pull out my makeup bag to cover the bruises on my neck and face. I take a minute to study myself in the mirror. Long curly brown hair that falls to my waist, and brown eyes that are lighter than they appear due to the dark brown ring around the outside. Also, a crooked nose from when it got broken by Sir. Tan brown skin.

“Ugly, ugly, ugly,” a voice whispers in my head. It’s a voice I know very well: the voice is mine. Years of being beaten down, getting told by others day after day that I’ll never amount to anything, that I’m ugly and will never be loved will do that to you. I sigh deeply at my reflection before grabbing my bag and walking out. I quietly slip down the stairs, avoiding the creaky spots I spent hours memorizing. Once in the kitchen I grab the eggs and bacon from the fridge. I cook three eggs and four strips of bacon for Sir and two eggs and three strips of bacon for Mother. After setting the food on plates and grabbing a beer for Sir, I realize it is now 5:30 a.m. I grab the pan from the stove that I cooked the eggs in and go to wash it. But as I make my way over to the sink I trip over my feet and the pan goes clattering to the floor. I gasp at the loud noise and pray that I’d didn’t wake Mother and Sir.

“Useless idiot,” I tell myself as I bend over to pick it up. My head is suddenly slammed into the counter and I see stars. I take a second to clear my vision before I turn around slowly. Sure enough, a fuming Sir stands next to an equally angry Mother. “You can’t do anything right can you?” Sir snarls. I hide my shaking hands behind my back. “I-I’m sorry S-sir,” I mutter looking at the ground. “W-w-what was t-t-that?” He mocks my stutter which makes my face heat in embarrassment. I pause and focus on my words before responding. "I'm sorry Sir," I repeat louder. Mother steps forward and slaps me across the face. A whimper escapes my lips. “Useless bitch,” she spits. I realize Sir is already dressed, so I didn’t wake them up... It wasn’t my fault.

He smirks darkly as his hands move to his belt. My eyes widen and my back throbs as I remember the last time. The welts have hardly healed. “What do you say, Lidia? Should I teach the freak a lesson?” Mother nods excitedly. I glance at the door realizing I can escape. I wait until Mother goes back upstairs before I slip under Sir’s arm and bolt out the door. I sprint through the woods and find the path I made to get to the school. It takes me an hour and a half to get there so it’s 7:45 by the time I get onto school grounds.

People stop talking, and some even stop walking to look at me as I pass. I keep my head down as I walk into the school and head for the office. I clear my throat at the lady behind the desk. “M-my name is Ashley Winters a-and I’m n-new,” I stutter quietly. She briefly glances up before clicking something on her computer. The printer spits out a piece of paper. As she hands me the schedule, she says, “Welcome to Brookville Academy!” In a fake enthusiastic

voice. I read the paper as I walk out the door.

Ashley Winters

Locker #1105 Combo 6543

Monday’s, Wednesday’s, Friday’s:

Homeroom-301

Algebra 4-305

Advanced English 4-306

Free hour

Physiology-405

Tuesday’s and Thursday’s:

Homeroom-301

Computer design-300

Free hour

Writing 101-301

After reading the schedule, I try to locate my first class. I enter the classroom three minutes late. All conversations stop as I walk into the room.

My hands start shaking when I realize everyone in the room is staring. I look at the ground as I walk to the teacher’s desk to give him my slip. “Alright, Miss. Winters why don’t you introduce yourself?” The teacher suggests kindly. I nod and release a shaky breath before angling my body to face the room of people. “My m-name is Ashley a-and I’m-“ My breathing picks up slightly as I talk in a small voice. My words are cut off by the classroom door slamming open.

Three guys walk in. They are all wearing the school uniform, a light blue button-up, a navy blue shirt, a black jacket, and a navy blue tie. Paired with khaki pants and black converse. The first one has blond hair and gray eyes. The second guy has black hair and blue eyes. The third one is obviously the leader. He has semi-long brown hair and entrancing green eyes. He scans the room before his gaze lands on mine. It’s like the rest of the room fades away and the only thing I can see is him. “Mine!” He says, which sends a shiver down my spine. I don’t know how much time passes before the teacher speaks. “Nice of you to join us, boys.” I scurry to the nearest empty desk which happens to be in the back. I can feel a set of eyes on me the whole hour but I keep my eyes trained on my desk. When the bell rings I practically sprint out the door to my next class.

*

*

*

I make it to my next class before the bell, so I choose an empty desk in the back. Thankfully, I don’t have to introduce myself again once the bell rings. Once again, the door slams open about five minutes into class. The same three guys walk in. The leader’s eyes find mine right away but I quickly break eye contact. “Gentlemen, nice to see you’re late as always. Find a seat.” The teacher says. A pair of black converse come into view and I glance up briefly to see the leader staring at me with an odd expression. Once my gaze is back on the wooden desk, the shoes eventually walk away to the desk next to me. I sneak a few glances and study him. I decide that he is cute. “He’d never like you!” I remind myself, shoulders slumping at the truth of the statement.

********************************************************************************

-Stay sweet y’all!

Word Count:1159

11/9/2020