*Please excuse minor spelling errors*

The classroom was shuffling around unnervingly. I impatiently jammed pencils and notebooks into my backpack, because school was nearing an end and I was ready to jump out of my seat and hurry home. There was a show on that I wanted to see when I get home.  I threw the last notebook in and began tapping the pencil that I was holding on the surface of my desk rapidly, anticipating the ringing of the school bell. I watched the littlest hand click from second to second.
“47…48…49” I counted quietly to myself.
The class was being loud, throwing paper clips and trash around.  People were so immature in my class. They were too caught up in their soliciting to notice the class was about to end. It was Tuesday, all the kids in the school couldn’t wait for the day to be over, to go to soccer practice or continue their lives at home. I tapped my finger on the desk rapidly. Finally, the bell rang. I ran out of English, hurrying to get to Math, getting to my next class quicker wouldn’t make the day go by any faster, but it made me feel like it did. So I rushed.
The school did not want people running in the halls, I imagine since people are all off in their own worlds, they do not want you running so to avoid collisions. As this thought processed in my mind, I turned the corner nearly sprinting. Immediately I ran into some kid with headphones on. He was much taller than me, me being only five foot one, my head pushed into his chest.
“Hey kid, watch where you’re going.” He shouted.
I avoided eye contact, and exhaled through my nose. I could hear his music; it was so loud that even if I said something back, he wouldn’t have heard me. So I just made a loop around him.
Along the way to my next class, I stopped at a water fountain to get a drink. Before I could get a sip of water this kid named Joey stopped me.
“Hey Kim.” He said with an eager tone.
“Oh hey Joey, what’s up?”
“Nothing really. Listen, I was trying to get down the notes in English but Mrs. Hart was going too fast and I didn’t get them all. Do you think I can borrow your notes and I’ll give them back to you tomorrow?”
I knew Joey for a long time, he was a nice kid. When we were kids, we were pretty close, but when certain events took place, we drifted apart. We are still friends, but we don’t talk as much, but there was no bad blood between us.
Today he wore a hat over his short blond hair. The blue hat didn’t go well with the plain shirt and cargo shorts. I couldn’t help but chuckle a little when I noticed his outfit, I’m sure he knew he looked funny. But he wasn’t one to care much about what others thought of him.
“Yeah sure, hold on. Let me dig out my notebook.” I replied with a quick, half smile.
I reached into my bag, pulled out my notebook, and handed it to him. He took it graciously and with a big grin.
“Thanks so much, I’ll give it back tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see you.”
He threw my book in his bag and jogged to his next class. I don’t ever see him often, besides in the hall. He was like me, quiet and keeps to himself. However, he is a bit more scatter brained than I am. I blankly stared into the hallway where he had run off, lost in my thoughts.
I fell back into reality and quickly realized I only had a minute or so left until the bell would ring, so I leaned over the fountain to get my drink, I pushed the button to make the water flow. Through all the repetitive thumping of footsteps in the hallway, I hadn’t noticed someone came right up behind me, before I finished drinking from the fountain, my head was suddenly pushed forward, getting my head under the cold stream of water, as well as hitting my forehead against the wall behind the fountain.
“Aw I’m sorry Kim, did that get you wet?” She said in a cocky tone.
I turned towards her, so I could identify who did this to me. Even though I already had a good idea of who it was.
“Ugh, what was that for Stacy!?” I yelled back.
There stood a tall, blonde girl. With large silver hoop earrings, a low cut top, expensive leather purse and a load of makeup caked on her face. She was gorgeous, but beauty is only skin deep with her, inside she was rotten and cruel. She had been treating me like garbage for as long as I could remember, no reason was ever given to why she treated me like this.
I looked at her with an embarrassed, but crude face. Water dripped off of the tips of my hair and landed on my shoulders, awkward streams of cold water streamed down my face and curved around my nose. All she did was laugh in a superior tone and walked away. I was angry, but I was used to being treated this way. I went into the bathroom located near the fountain and got some paper towels and began wiping my head, trying to dry off. I wiped my face as well; I dried off the water, and the tears. I forgot about getting the class, I was distracted by the thought of Stacy’s arrogance that she flaunted every chance she got. Unfortunately, the bell rang for my next class while I was stuck in the bathroom, and now I was late.
I walked into math class and everyone just stared at me. I was never late, no one really knew me that well, but they could all tell that I had a thing for math, I always, got the answer right. So when I showed up four minutes after the bell rang, people were pretty surprised. I said nothing and just awkwardly made my way toward my seat. I think they mostly noticed my dark, damp hair. My hair was short, about shoulder length. It was pretty straight when dry, but when it was damp like this it looked darker and the ends of my hair curled out a little bit. I brushed my fringe to the side and due to its wetness it stuck and didn’t fall back into my face.  Even though I was angry towards Stacy I still participated in class, I threw up my hand for nearly every question. There’s one question I don’t know the answer to and it was killing me that I didn’t know it. But it’s not for math class. Why am I treated this way?  This question floated around my mind.
After Math class had ended, so did school, Math is my last class of the day so I was happy to be finally heading home. I left the classroom, but I wasn’t rushing to make the bus in fact I was walking, falling behind everyone else. I wasn’t going to take the bus today; I decided that I’d walk home like I used to do last year. It was a bright and warm day in May; this was the perfect time to be in Colorado.
Outside the front door of my school, the sun and it’s, bright ever-loving warmth greeted me. I stood just outside the open doors and held my hand just above my brow line to shade my eyes. As the heat was getting absorbed into my skin, I felt the sharp bitterness of a harsh wind blowing desperately through the students as they left the building. I was only wearing a beanie, long-sleeved shirt and jeans. Also considering the fact that my clothes and hair are still a bit damp from Stacy, the wind is going to feel twice as cold.
I walked out of the school and headed down for the main road. Before I got there a bus was pulling out of the school and it had stopped at the stop sign at the end of the school driveway. While the bus was stopped for no more than fifteen seconds, I heard one of the bus windows open as I slowly made my way pass it. Without warning something came from the bus and had hit me on the head, it was hard, and then felt cold. I looked down and saw the open water bottle lying on the ground in front of me. I looked up, I saw Stacy with her friends laughing as they threw the bottle cap at me as well.
“Sorry Kim, I thought you were looking a little warm so I tried to cool you off.” She mocked.
I gave them all a hateful stare; I clenched my fists and promised myself one thing.  “I’ll get her tomorrow.” I only said that in spite. I wasn’t really going to do anything about it; it just made me feel better to cuss at her in my head. I was getting really tired of her tormenting.

Trying to ignore Stacy’s actions, I began taking in the fresh air and the shine of a new day, I headed home; I did not live too far from the school, about four miles. The warmth of the sun followed me around, keeping my head and shoulders warm. I was walking slowly so I could enjoy the outdoors as long as I could; people passed me having their own conversations. As I got further from the school the less people I saw until I was walking alone. A car would pass here and there, some even passed with loud, pounding music blaring through the streets. I was walking on the sidewalk that stretched along the main road. Kicking bits of broken cement and slowly moved along. After some time passed, the entrance to my road became visible in the distance; it was a dirt road that branched off from the street. It stretched deep into the woods, hidden by trees. I walked the long dirt path that was my driveway. After a few minutes I got to my door. My house was small, run down and dirty. A porch was the first thing you saw, up the steps and through the screen door were tools and an old torn up couch. Lying there getting older and dirtier. I knocked on the door, then looked closer and saw a small note.
Kim, out shopping. Be back later. –Dad
“Great, after a terrible day at school now I have to sit here all alone in my own home. For once I would just like things to go a little better.” I said to myself, then sighed softly.
I took the note off the door, and crumpled it, then stuffed the paper in my back pocket.
He left the door unlocked for me. The old bronze knob was stuck and I had to use force to turn the handle until it clicked, and opened with a loud creaking noise.  First thing I do when I get home is take my shoes off; my feet were tired of walking. So I sat on the floor directly in front of the door. I rubbed my feet gently, and cracked my toes. I then stood back up and stretched, reaching my arms up to the ceiling letting out a long yawn.
My body felt stiff, so I jumped up and down a little bit to loosen up. Then kicked my shoes out of the way, and closed the door. My house was small, the first sight you see when you walk in, is the living room on your left and the kitchen on your right, no divider wall. Straight ahead was a door leading to my dads room, on the right side of his door was another door that leads to the downstairs full bathroom and laundry room. To the left of his door was the hardwood stairs that climbed above his door, and lead to the upstairs bathroom and my bedroom.  That’s it.
A dirty, pearly white carpet was spread across the floor.  A couch, coffee table and color TV set were located in the center of the room. The ceiling fan above the living room was spinning slowly. It made a soft vibrant noise as the gears spun the blades. I walked in front of the couch, directly below the fan. I pulled the string that hung down, the light turned on.
“ah crap, wrong one.” I said.
I pulled the wrong string, ive always done that. I dont know why, but I just could not remember which string controlled which part of the fixture.  I had to pull the same string again, and try for the other one. It spun faster with each click, until the whirring stopped and the blades slowed to a halt.
The house was dead silent now. I could hear that soft ringing in my ears, I didn’t like absolute silence. So I cleared my throat and began humming a random tune. My shirt had dried a little but it was still damp from the water. I felt the damp spots with my fingers, to judge how wet it was. Since no one was home, and we didn’t live near any other houses, I took my shirt off in the living room and bundled it up into a ball. Then went to the downstairs bathroom and threw my shirt into the dirty laundry basket.
The wooden door pushed  acold gust of air into bare skin as I closed it behind me. The house was cold, considering I was wearing partially wet jeans and a bra.
“Well, I guess I’ll just get changed and do some homework”
I said out loud, as if I was talking to my dad in the living room. even though he wasn’t here. I just didn’t want to feel so alone. But I did. I frowned and lowered my head.
The hardwood stairs creaked with each step I took. I turned at the top and walked to my bathroom, it was small and lame. I got washed up, got a snack and sat on my bed. I took out my CD player, threw on my overhead headphones. A generic pop beat came on; surprised I paused the song and took the cd out. It was a pop band I did not recognize. I forgot that some girl in ninth grade asked me if she could borrow my cd player at lunch last week, the next day she brought it back. I guess she forgot one of her disks. It serves her right. After she used it she took the batteries out and stole my headphones. I got another pair from my old friend Joey.
I took the cd out and tossed it into the trash, swiftly, I hung over the edge of my bed and slid a box out, a box that contained multiple cds and old cassete tapes. I sifted through the box and pulled out a disk containing a mix of classic rock and punk. I smiled, snapped the disk into the player and pounced back up on my bed. I was ready to do my homework.
I crunched numbers, wrote paragraphs and pushed through geographical stuff for 2 short hours. My hand hadent even cramped at all by the time I finished. I laid the pencil on my notebook and cracked my knuckles. I looked at my clock.
“6pm.” I sighed. I crossed my legs and stiffened my back as I stretched. I let out a long, strained yawn.
“Oh no” I Yelped. “I forgot about my show, crap!” I ran downstairs and turned the TV on; sure enough, my show was in the last five minutes, I completely forgot about it.
“Well, I guess I don’t have much else to do for the rest of the night.”
I walked back up stairs and around my room, pacing, and thinking.  Out of nowhere, I heard then front door open and then a thud.
“Ah shit.”
A faint voice from downstairs. I opened my door and looked out towards to door from my room. It was my dad. The front door handle hit the wall hard as he opened it.
“Hey dad.” I called out to him.
“Hello Kimberly, this Goodman doorknob always knocks into the wall; it’s becoming a pretty good sized dent.” He set his keys onto the counter and started unpacking the three bags he was carrying. Milk, bread, eggs, cereal and beer.
“How was school?” He asked.
“Fine.” I replied. “I just finished my homework.”
“Good, anything new?”
“No not really.”
“Is that girl at school giving you problems, uh what’s her name?”
“Stacy”
“Yeah, Stacy.”
“She’s still pushing me around, but I’m dealing with it.”
“Have you told any teachers?”
“No, whenever I tried they wouldn’t believe me.”
He grabbed the remote for the TV, turned it on and sat on the couch.
“Well, if things get worse, just talk to the school; they have to do something about it.” He said.
“Alright.” I replied.
The short conversation died. I walked back into my room. Sitting on my bed I flicked the lamp on my nightstand on and off out of boredom.
I decided I would just change into some pajamas and get ready for bed. Though it was early. After all I didn’t feel like talking to my dad, or drawing or studying anymore. I did not have anyone to talk to, just nothing to do. Bed seemed like a good idea.  Therefore, that is what I ended up doing. Sleep.

Hours passed. I shuffled around in my bed, kicked off my blanket and looked around my room. It was late, I woke up quietly, and I cleaned my throat.
“Ugh, I need something to drink.”
I Sat up and looked out the window, there was not much moonlight shining through. I sleepily made my way to the window and opened it a little to let some air in. Outside was just pitch black woods. It was eerie. I swung around and stretched as I walked. I stumbled and almost lost my balance but I caught myself.  The light made a soft click and buzz as I flicked on the light switch. The stairs were creaking and making noises when I stepped on them. I could hear my dad snoring in his room.
“Man, its warm in here.” I whispered to myself.
The living room was really stuffy, and humid. A bright light was flooding the room from inside the fridge, it illuminated the entire kitchen and into the living room. Glasses on the door clanged and jingled as the door slid open. The jug of Apple juice felt heavy, my muscles were not awake yet. The fridge made a soft thump as it closed, the room was darker but I could still see my hands enough to unscrew the cap of juice.  Everything was quiet except for the sound of liquid filling the glass. I set the jug down on the counter. Suddenly a soft shuffling sound crept up right behind me.
I spun quickly around and clenched my fists.
“…Hello?” I whispered.
No response. The sound was loud; it was as if a large cat was running up on me. I didn’t see anything though. I shrugged and shook it off as my imagination, then continued to pour my glass of juice. Drank it and let the glass clang when it hit the top of the counter. I looked up the stairs and saw the faint glow of my bathroom light.
“What the heck? I don’t remember turning that on?”
I slowly went up the stairs, feeling my way up the handrail, as I got to the top I swallowed. Then looked in the bathroom. There- was nothing there.
I sighed. “Alright? That’s weird.”
I turned the light off and hopped back into bed, I was cold. The blanket was still warm from my body heat.  I felt slightly paranoid and turned the lamp on, I gave one last looks around my room and into the hallway, and went to sleep.