The First Girl

"I'm so fucking tired of your worthless ass!" My mother screamed coming up to me where I was cleaning in the kitchen and held my arm tightly in a fierce grip. I tried hard not to flinch and make her even angrier. But it was of no use since she was angry all the time anyways.

"W-what happened?" I don't stutter, but I can't help it around her, her presence alone made fear establish in my bones and be scared. Was this normal? To be this scared of your mother?

She let go of my arm and picked up the glass I just washed and smashed it onto the wall behind me, Woah, easy there lady.

"I had to spend my fucking money on your fucking school fees that I could've spent on my beer" She seethed in anger. She was furious, her eyes were bloodshot, her greasy black hair fell over her pale face and her lips quivered. That always happened when she didn't get her drugs on time. She was a fudging addict!

I shrugged, pathetically looking down at the floor, my dark brown hair escaping from the bun and framed my face. She usually became very weak when she was behind on her fix so she refrained from hurting me but the sober and alcoholic her was a whole different story. A story that I hate.

She desperately ran her hand over her face trying to think of something from her non-existent brain. Her eyes then found me again and she cursed at me before pulling me by my arm and shoving me on the floor. Ouch. My knees and hand braced the most of the impact but it's alright, at least I didn't land on my face or broke something.

"That's it, you're fucking useless, you're going, yes! I can not tolerate your fucking face any longer!" She shouted again waving her hands in the air like a madwoman, and I winced rubbing my ears. Her voice was like when you scratch your nails on a chalkboard. Get it?

I stood up from the floor, my knees turning red, and brushed my pj's, and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Where am I going?" I ducked using my ninja-like reflexes when I saw a bottle being thrown my way. I'm basically a secret ninja. Really. Hee!

"To a boarding school. Now fuck off from here" I didn't need to be told twice and happily skipped away to my room. Any place was better than this infernal region.

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Ok. I take back my words. When I said any place was better, I didn't mean a fudging BOYS SCHOOL. It was for BOYS! And I'm a GIRL! Holy macaroni!

Oh God, please give this woman a brain.

I bit my lips in nervousness as my heartbeat got faster, and I rubbed my sweaty and clammy hands on my dress. Laughing nervously, I hoped this was some sort of a sick joke. But who I'm kidding? My whole life is a sick joke. Lol.

#SedLyfe

My mother looked confused as well as she stared again and again on some paper in her hand. I jerked my head so that my hair would fall in my face and hide the hand imprint on my cheek. It was only temporary because my bruises heal very fast. I probably have some sort of healing power.

My train of thought was interrupted by a very cute puppy as the puppy tried to jump up and heaved excitedly. I giggled excitedly as well and bend down caressing his soft fur. The puppy licked my hand and I smiled happily. Can I adopt him? Is anyone looking? He had no collar and no one seemed to look for him. I grew more excited, maybe I can-

And I was interrupted by the she-devil herself as she roughly held me by my arm, and dragged me inside the Oaklawn Academy. The all-boys boarding school. I whimpered at my mother while she just sneered at me, and continued to woman-handle me, dragging me mercilessly inside the building. It was empty. No one seemed to be around. Maybe it was for the fact that it was spring break and everyone was off to see their families and loved ones. I wonder what it feels like to have a loved one? To have a family? It must feel nice.

Her nails dig in my arms and I winced at her angrily. At least she can be a little gentle for the first and last time in her whole darn life.

I tightly held my large suitcase despite her being rough because it had my pillow and toothbrush, my paint stuff, and my teddy. I know what you must be thinking. IsN't ShE tOo OLd FoR a StUfF tOy? But I'm not that old, I'm 17, and also it is dear to me because it was the only thing I received as a gift for Christmas from a nice lady in my daycare.

My mother halted towards an office and took a deep breath sending me a glare. Ha! I was about to be free from her soon. Yay!

There was a lady at the counter who sat there looking very bored typing fast. Wow, she has got super typing power. She raised her thick bushy brow when she saw me and I send her a small smile which she ignored.

Huh, I just smiled, what is she giving me attitude for? I frowned and just held onto my suitcase and bag tighter.

"We need to see the principal" My mother murmured lowly and I'm surprised the lady even heard her.

"You can go" She allowed with a blank face and my mother wasted no time and dragged me once again inside the office.

She didn't knock before she entered, rude, and barged inside as it was her office. And there was an old man, his beard resembling that of Santa and I grinned. He looked startled and dropped the mirror he was using to look at his face and looked at us with wide eyes and grumped.

"Yeah, what is your problem?" He grumped in annoyance and composed himself, crossing his arms on the table. We sat down and my mother took out some papers from her tattered purse and shoved it towards him. I ignored whatever they were talking about and glanced at the room. It was nice and clean. The exact opposite of the house I used to sleep in till yesterday.

There was even a long floor vase filled with flowers in the corner!

Wow. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad? I looked at the principal again with wide eyes and he was already looking at me so I just threw him a shy smile and his eyes softened.

"Ok, here is her dorm key, schedule, map, and you can take your books and whatever you may need from the lady outside. Now kindly hurry and get out of here" He said to my mother in a rude tone and gave me a soft smile.

"You can come in here if you have any sort of problem in adjustment or whatever," He said to me softly and gave me a sharp nod. I gave him a wide grin and rushed behind my mother.

My 'mom' glared at me and looked at me coldly. She shoved all the things towards me and I quickly gathered them all in my hands.

"Now listen here you bitch, I hope I never see you ever again for the rest of my life. and if you ever even tried to contact me or came back to my house, I will fucking kill you, get it?" She explained to me with wild eyes and shook my shoulders tightly. I nodded scared but scoffed in my head. Does she take me as a fool? I'm not some idiot to willingly go back in that purgatory.

Oh, boy, this was going to be avocado of a ride!

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263 D, East Swing, 3rd Floor.

This was my destination, where I was going to be living for the rest of my senior year.

But I had no frickin idea how the heck was I supposed to reach there in the first place? I looked at my map again and it taunted me for being stupid for not even understanding the simple direction. It has probably been like an hour.

And to make matters worse there wasn't even a single soul insight that I could ask for help. Or maybe it was for the best? This all is giving me time to prepare for the inevitable. I don't know how will I handle all the awkwardness and embarrassment.

Roaming around pathetically, I immediately brighten up when my eyes saw the 'East Swing' sign and danced happily in my head. I rushed towards the sign and stopped when I saw an elevator.

Oooooh, I have never been inside one. I don't know how to work this big box, was I supposed to push this button? I pushed it and jumped a little when it made a 'ding' noise and the doors opened. I grinned and stepped inside trying to calm down my nerves and jitters.

My grin however fell, when I saw so many buttons, what in the holy nuggets was this? Panic started to bubble in my throat when my brain tried to figure out where was 3 written. And just as I was about to press a random button, a figure hurled inside the elevator breathing a little heavily.

Omg, it is a boy!

Omg, omg, omg, omg, omg, what do I do? Should I run? Do I hide?

The handsome boy froze as his eyes caught the sight of me and my luggage and looked at me confusedly. I threw him a nervous smile and he shrugged giving me a blank face. When he saw I just stood there playing with my fingers, he rolled his beautiful dark hazel eyes and pushed one of the buttons on the wall.

"Umm...I have to go on the third floor? I mean my dorm is there and...and I d-don't know how t-to work this whole....thing" I said and I don't know why but I felt embarrassed so I just looked down at my shoes and played with my fingers. Ugh, so pathetic.

I sneakily looked at him from the corner of my eye, he was looking at me and nodded his head so I assume we are going on the third floor. Do I introduce myself? This is how we are supposed to make friends right? I read it on google. I took a deep breath and threw him a nervous smile.

"Hi, I'm Alara, and I'm going to be living and studying here" Omg, nooo, is it too late to kill myself yet? I mentally facepalmed and I heard my mother laughing at me in my head.

He looked at me for a few seconds, "Elijah" He murmured in a deep smooth voice and I stared at him like a creep. He ran his hand through his raven hair and gave me a blank look.

Thankfully, he didn't ask me why. Phew.

I just bit my lip and adverted my gaze playing with the hem of my dress. Holy Tacos, this was so nerve-racking! I couldn't but sneakily looked at him again and he just stood there leaning on the elevator crossing his arms looking in front. Dang, he was a good head taller than me. He was so huge and tall!

The elevator paused and the doors opened, Elijah wasted no time before pushing himself off the wall and left. I took deep breathes hoping to calm myself. There was no one in the building except for him and me. He was the only one here.

Picking up my stuff, I walked out hoping to find my dorm soon. Will I have a dorm mate? Or will I be lucky enough to live alone?

I find Elijah walking at a slow pace towards the 'D' part and my eyes brightened up. That is my destination. I followed to where he was going and he paused and looked behind giving me a questioning gaze, and narrowed his eyes.

He clenched his jaw and ignored me like I was some dirt on his shoe, and continued walking. I looked at the door numbers and this was 240 lane, my dorm is about to come. He walked grumpily and paused giving me a small glare.

"Why the fuck are you following me?" He asked rudely and a part of me wanted to cry and run for my life. But I swallowed down my cowardliness and gave him, I hoped, a scowl.

"I'm not", I scoffed and pat myself in the back for not peeing out of fear.

He just clenched his jaw, tighten his fist, rolled his eyes, and resumed his walk. I trailed behind, it wasn't my fault my destination was the same route as him. It was just nearing 263, I smiled and walked faster.

"What the actual fu- are you kidding me right now?" Elijah said in a rude tone annoyed when I stopped before him.

"No, I'm not and this is my dorm," I said to him trying to stay strong but my whole inside was extremely scared and nervous.

He face-palmed himself and muttered colorful words under his breath. He snatched my schedule from my hands and shoved it in my hands after looking at it for a good few seconds after storming off to, I think, the principal's office.

I shrugged and opened the door using my key, and stepped inside taking a deep breath, it's all fine now.

My eyes widen happily and I smiled brightly as my eyes run over the beautiful room. The room was pretty nice, and spacious, and soooo clean! There were two beds in the corners opposite each other, and a window in the center. With beds, there were two study tables, lamps, and even a small walk-in closet. I smiled widely feeling happy. This was so much better than my old room! I used to live in the small dusty attic and now I have a proper room with windows! I squealed not being able to control my happiness and jumped on the bed. Omg, this feels so nice and soft. My old bed was blankets on the floor, I didn't have a mattress so this feels like heaven!

I wiped a few happy tears that escaped my eyes and laughed to myself. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad? Maybe I can live and survive here after all. I just have to stay away from all the unnecessary attention and drama and I will be alright.

And before I knew it, the tiredness and exhaustion suddenly weighed me down and I struggled to keep my eyes open. My eyelids were continuously drooping on my hazy disoriented vision and I don't recall how or when but I fell into a deep peaceful slumber.

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My peaceful and deep slumber was disturbed when I felt a continuous poke on my arms and face. I furrowed my eyebrows and heard a loud shriek. Eh, it was nice till it lasted.

Yawning, I rubbed my eyes and stretched my arms a little behind my back. This was the best sleep I've ever had.

I opened up my eyes and jumped when I found a face too close for my liking. My eyes widen and I crawled backward picking up a pillow and putting it in front of me as a shield.

The energetic boy that resembled a puppy stared at me with wide blue eyes and an open mouth and I saw Elijah staring off into space laying on his bed crossing his arms behind his head.

"Is-is- t-that...i-is that a Giiiiirrrrlll?" The puppy boy stumbled upon his words screeching and he said the word 'girl' like it was some sort of disease. I blinked up at him and he broke out in a wide teeth-splitting grin.

"I can't believe we're having a girl over here for the first time in forever! Oh my gosh! You look like a girl!!!" The boy exclaimed excitedly as he continued to spew stuff out of his mouth that didn't make quite a sense. Omg, am I being mean?

He slapped his forehead and chuckled, "Oh, where are my manners?" Murmuring to himself, he flipped his imaginary hair and sat on my bed bouncing in excitement.

"I'm the one and only, that grumpy's bestest friend, the most handsome and dashing, the most smartest, intelligent, intellectual, and all the good words that exist-"

"He's Nate" Elijah grumbled interrupting Nate's introduction who clutched his heart and looked at Elijah with a look of betrayal and scowl on his face.

"You can't digest me being happy, CAN YOU?" He screamed at Elijah's face who scrunched up his face in disgust when Nate's spit landed on his face, making me laugh slightly.

They both paused their 'bromance' or whatever and looked at me with blank faces. Nate's face broke out in a charming smile and he came over to me again and plopped his butt proudly on my bed.

"My name is Alara" I whispered shyly playing with my fingers looking at him from the corner of my eye when I suddenly felt myself being engulfed in a warm hug. My heart skipped a beat as I came to a realization. This is the first time I'm ever being hugged. My cheeks heat up and I wrapped my hands around Nate's back and cherished the feeling of warmth and contentment. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

"Aww, look at her Eli, she's blushing" Nate pinched my cheeks and ruffled up my hair making me scowl up at him. Why the heck in dunkin donuts were the both of them so tall? I need answers.

I lightly slapped his arm, "No, I'm not". I grumbled and he chuckled loudly.

"Ok, whatever you say, Lara bear," He said with a content smile and I smile back at him while Elijah just stared in the back with a blank face.

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Nate left after bidding me 'goodbye', he hugged me several times, and kissed my forehead, and left after me promising him to not forget him in the morning. He had to go and run some errands to the principal office. I felt....happy. He was my second friend ever! I smiled giddily and happily.

Elijah still laid on his bed staring off into space, I wonder what he's thinking. Shrugging my shoulders, I looked out the window and the sun was just setting. Woah, I slept for so long!

I should probably set my things up. I put my suitcase inside the closet, not feeling the need to empty it, and hang up my clothes. What if Elijah thinks I'm annoying and decides to kick me out? I should be prepared for anything.

Oh, I'm forgetting something. I took out my pillow from the suitcase and there were extra blankets in the closet so I picked them up as well, when I heard a light chuckle behind my back.

"You brought a pillow with you?" Elijah said, his eyes filled with amusement and his lips curving up in a minuscule smile. A complete opposite of his attitude a couple of hours ago.

"Oh, um, yeah, it is very comfortable like clouds" I replied to him, smiling. Progress.

"Is your pillow soft?" I blurted out before I could stop myself and cringed. Is that a question to ask someone? "I mean, everyone should have a soft pillow, y'know? Hard pillows hurt your neck and....stuff"

He raised his brow and chuckled again shaking his head. He picked up his pillow and threw it at me, and I, using my cat-like reflexes easily caught it with one hand. I felt his pillow and gosh, it was even softer than my own.

"Woah, your pillow is even softer than mine, it feels like a feather!" I gushed at him and brought his pillow to him handing it in his hand. I looked up at Elijah to see him looking at me with a tiny smile. I gave him a shy smile in return and went back to what I was doing. I set up my books on the table and put the flower I plucked from the garden here.

I realized, I was sticky and a little sweaty so it'd be best to shower, but I don't know where in the holy cow it was.

"Um..Elijah?" I called out his name in a soft voice and he hummed in response.

"Do..you perhaps know where the bathrooms are?" He thought for a moment and stood up to his feet, snatching his large blanket off the bed, and nodded at me. What was he doing?

"Take your towel, and clothes and whatever shi- stuff you need, I'll take you there" My eyes brighten up and I gave him a grateful smile and immediately went to pick my things up.

That is so nice of him!

Grabbing my things in my arms, I nodded at Elijah who opened the door and started walking, me trailing behind him. I didn't like the silence so my mouth decided to make its presence known.

"How long have you been studying here?" I asked him trying to make short conversations.

"6 years" He replied curtly, his hands in his pocket as he occasionally kicked a pebble here and there.

"How old are you?"

"I'm about to turn 18 soon, and I'm a senior, you?"

"I'm 17 and I'm a senior as well" I beamed up at him and he looked at me softly. I carefully stepped down the stairs hoping not to trip and fall making a fool out of myself.

"How'd you...how'd you get here?" He asked curiously and I gulped a little trying to think of a perfect response.

"My mom....couldn't afford me....so she put me in boarding system but she made mistakes in the form and there were no placements in the girls one....so I landed here," I said in one breath and smiled nervously hoping he didn't ask further.

He gave me a strong gaze and nodded. "You?" I wasn't going to ask him but it was only fair I asked him as well.

"I came here willingly" He shrugged and I was about to inquire more when the bathrooms came in sight.

Looks like that was a story for another time.

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