SECOND CHAPTER

Yes, never ever think a day can get better when it starts with one nightmare and then gives another in the middle only to end with Natasha as your lab partner in science. This day just could not stop throwing shit at me.

After study hall, which was nice but boring given, I spent it writing notes from the pages Mr. Rouser assigned. And I was right Miguel had the same assignment and had already finished reading the pages. So, he helped or should I say corrected my notes. Which just annoyed me, but I also appreciated it for I really wasn’t grasping the information, not that it was complicated, I just felt like it was wrong.

Another thing Miguel agreed with but how do you explain to your teacher that the book is wrong without sounding completely nutz. So, I got through that and at the bell we headed to our table outside the cafeteria where I found Lucy. My other best friend and the loudest friend that I have. Well, I was heading to the table while Miguel went to get our food.

We both agreed that it would be better if I avoided crowds as much as possible for now. Which was helping calm down my over excited senses that were picking up all the least gossip. Especially me and my latest episode.

“CAN YOU JUST SHUT UP AND FIND ANOTHER TOPIC!” Lucy shouted at the other table. I just shook my head as I sat down but not before giving Lucy a hug. She was still glaring at the other table, as if she could burn it down at any given time. I always find it weird that Miguel and Lucy could get along given how very different they were.

Miguel was quiet, smart, and a little standoffish. I say a little bit, because to me he was calm and collective while everyone else said he was reserved and cold. Lucy on the other side was loud, outspoken, and crazy. She never knew how to hold back when she saw something wrong. She always was getting in trouble for how she questioned everything. She also believed when I said that the history, we were learning was wrong, but unlike me she was outspoken and asked questions. Though I do admit it was always fun to watch as teachers stumble as they answer her, or I should say try to answer her. Because it’s not only ever one question or even a simple question. Lucy is also smart but because she questions everything the teachers do; so they always give her bad marks. Miguel is always telling her to hold her tongue so that at least she can get a good grade for once. I think it’s hilarious and love talking with them about what we learn and what it could be.

*Like these teachers even know half the truth! You should voice your concerns!* Nadia pipes in just as Miguel places our tray of food on the table between us and hands me my soda. He sits across from me and smirks at me as he reaches for the salad. Yeah, we really are so different as I look at Lucy's food which is nothing but sweets and junk food.

*I could never!* I shrieked back to her as I reached for the burger that Miguel got me. A loaded burger with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mustard, ketchup, and mayo.

“Thanks Mi” I say then looking to Lucy who finally has seated down next to me to eat her lunch. I pinched her ribs.

“What?” she shrieks at me as she rubs her ribs.

“Do you always have to be loud?” I whispered to her.

“How else would those airheads hear me?” Lucy says as she smiles back at me. “So… Mr. Rouser’s class?”

“Yeah, I was bored out of my head. I was watching a bird in a pine tree outside the classroom window I was sitting near.” I say as I begin eating my burger. Miguel hands me a napkin as I feel ketchup run down my chin. I quickly take it to wipe my chin only to get jostled as more of our friends join the table.

“Yo Lucy, Miguel, what's the plan for after school today.” Terry asks as he plops himself next to Lucy and nods in my direction. Only to be shoved aside so Larry could sit there. I just nod back to them both in turn and look at Cathy as she sits beside Miguel. I know she has a crush on him. I mean who wouldn’t.

Miguel is just under 6 feet tall and still growing, with that sun-kissed look and just enough muscle to let you know he can stand his own in a fight. Not that he does fight, because he prefers talking, will more likely prove that the other party is wrong. Plus, Miguel is on the track team, so he has a lot of fans and popularity. Then again, explain to me why he keeps his brown hair long, like below his shoulders long, though he keeps it up in a top knot. So, it stays out his eyes; his brown, green eyes that just give him that mystery air. So yeah, I know she has a crush on him, but she has no chance. And that’s why I can stand her being around us.

“Not sure! What is today again?” Lucy asks while munching on whatever chip she has today. That’s another thing I just don’t understand. Lucy can always be found munching on chips, candy, or some chocolate dessert, and yet none of it goes to her hips. Maybe to her ass or chest, but nowhere else.

She’s not a drop-dead beauty, but I know Natasha is jealous of her curves. Lucy is 5’6, which makes her taller than me, with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes like mine, only hers are brighter. And a body that I know every girl wants, will beside me. I also have blonde hair but mine is dirtier, will it’s browner with red and white highlights, which causes it to look like a darker blonde. Yeah, another weird fact about me is that my hair color is two-tone and all natural. I would probably be considered pretty if it wasn’t for the fact that I am pasty white.

Another thing that helps me stand out but not in a good way. It doesn’t help to be the whitest person in the town of sun-kissed to black-skinned people or that white people are seen as a minority and called invaders. Another thing that history so calmly just skipped over. I mean if I lived across the water in the U.K. I might be just another person or even pretty like everyone else but here in the CTA, Collective Tribes of America, no I’m a minority and someone to be picked on.

“Isn’t today the day I beat your butt in Mortal Kombat?” Chad pimped in as he dropped his bag on the table before squeezing himself between Miguel and Cathy. “Don’t forget we are gaming after school Miguel! I’m so going to beat your ass!”

“Are you sure about that?” Miguel says as he gives him the side eye before winking at me. They all know it’s me that they must beat, because I’m the unbeatable one in our group. Only no one speaks about it or actively challenges me, except for Lucy and Miguel. “I thought today was the day we race!”

“W… when did w… we” Chad stuttered as he looked around the table. Probably looking for help from the others.

“That sure would be a sight.” Peter says as he sits next to Cathy as he swipes Chad's book-bag to the ground. Making Chad jump up and pick it up and bump Peter in the process. Now with Chad gone Cathy could settle back in her seat next to Miguel. I smiled at her when she looked up to me, she nodded back at me as she turned to talk to Miguel. Not that we could just enjoy our lunch in peace.

“So, the invader decided not to catch a ride with some man today.” Natasha loudly declared as she and her posse walked past us.

“Oh, look what the cat coughed up!” Lucy snapped back.

“Wow, so mean!” chided Louise as she whipped her hair back and glared at us. “What couldn’t think of something new little invader’s pet.”

I hated Natasha and Lousie; they never gave me a break. It’s like I was their favorite punching bag not that they ever did anything physical to begin with. Sometimes I just wanted them to disappear from this place, but I didn't want to be that type of person.

*Why not? It's not like anyone would miss them!* Nadia growled out. She hated how they looked down on us or even spoke to us.

*I just couldn’t be that mean.* I thought back

*Well, that's why you have me, girl. I can be your spite to your heart.* Nadia said before pushing forward and grabbing my soda and splashing them with it.

I cringed as they shrieked from the sugary liquid streaking down their face and ruining their makeup and soggy clothes. Before I could process what just happened Lucy grabbed the soda bottle from me and tossed it to Miguel who swiftly threw it away in the nearest trash can. Then as I was turning to ask Lucy what happened, Cathy stood up and shouted, “Oh shit!” as her bottle exploded all over them. That’s when it hit me, we almost got Cathy with that little stunt.

*No girl, I would never hurt or cause problems for one of your minions!* Nadia proudly said before shrinking back in my mind. I didn’t even say anything to her because I knew she would be wiped after that. She really shouldn’t have pushed forward because she knew it would cost her.

“Your pay for this invader.” Natasha shrieked, as she fled the courtyard. Most likely for the closet bathroom.

“Yeah, don’t think this is the end and Cathy just forgot about the cheer squad!” Louise yelled as she soon followed her oh beloved leader.

“Oh yeah, I would be so happy to stand around and admire the paint on the wall!” Cathy shouted after them. Now I feel bad. We all knew Cathy had joined the cheer squad so she could cheer Mi on when he competed. “Besides I don't have any more classes with them, given Natasha was bunked from my science class last week.”

Oh, shit Cathy was right but now I was in trouble, for I think my science class was the only other one they could put her in. Oh, please no, oh please say she's not in my class.