Regan sat down, trying to not look at anyone. However, students kept glancing and even staring at her. She didn't know why they couldn't mind their own business and leave her alone.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IrnoVg3KB
But this had been going on for so long. Literally everywhere, and she didn't have any better thing to do. They had their own mind. She wasn't going to force them not to look.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZQy3mwCTZ
Just when she thought that was finally eating in peace, she noticed a red haired girl coming closer to the table.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnbumPfNpm
She had a typical bad girl look, but with red hair instead of blonde. No worries, there were two blondes behind her.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrMmVY7qY3
"Hey, weirdo," she said, her eyes narrowing with a disdainful scorn, "What's with that scar?"
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzrQDIN8vw
Her bluntness caught Regan off guard for a moment, but she had heard these words enough, "What is it to you?" she retorted.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzGIkVQ7ep
The girl raised an eyebrow, but her expression had darkened slightly, "I'm just asking," she said with a shrug, "You should be grateful someone as pretty as me is talking to someone as ugly as you."
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPa14mI5RT
The people in the background had had their attention shifted, and now their eyes were on them. Regan could feel a surge of defiance build within her, but she had to keep her cool, "You think I care?" she shot back, her voice stronger now.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEkrZ4rrRy
"You won't talk like that to me," the other retorted, setting her soda on the table with a furious move, "I'm the principal's daughter, I can expel you whenever and wherever I want."
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8POC6ynmYd
Regan leaned back on her chair, her nerves already fired, but she was in no mood for fights, "Get away from my table," she hissed back. But the girl didn't move, she actually whispered something to the blonde one beside her. Regan didn't want for them to speak, she stood up and left the cafeteria, leaving behind a trail of whispers and rumors.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ez0cXwyk8
The hallways were suddenly feeling too suffocating, so she decided she'd sit somewhere outside. She found an empty bench under a tree's shade and sat there, continuing to eat.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXk3Ffftwl
But there were footsteps heard, and she looked up to see another girl coming. Regan's frustration raised. Was she one of those jerks?
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTe1YC05oI
She had long brown hair and with pink curtain bangs. She was fancily dressed, with a white long shirt underneath a black corset, tight black pants and black boots that reached her knees. Kind of different, considering most wore ankle boots and sneakers.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zjtOp49fd
"Regan, right? We're in the same class," the girl spoke, her accent weird and unheard.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm042tGdmLZ
Regan didn't notice her in the class. Maybe because she wasn't looking at anyone. Maybe because she was trying to escape the mocking eyes.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBLw0170Id
"Yes?"
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuCiSzXF40
"I'm Vesper," the girl replied, flashing a bright smile, "Nice to meet you."
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKOZQXkgdg
Regan was caught aback by her smooth approach, and she felt a weird feeling of suspicion for a moment, but quickly shoved it away, "Nice to meet you too," she said.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9DxylzhfF
The girl stood there for a moment, as if in some daze, but shook her head. "Nice t-shirt," she remarked, noting Regan's shirt. The most apparent thing about that tee shirt, were the words written in bold, "STAY AWAY".
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M2Hwu1qzJ
"You have a good fashion sense too," Regan replied, not trying what else to say. She had never been good at conversations, but she had been good at making them awkward.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsqTIq9UaF
"So, do you want to be friends?" Vesper asked, her smile never faltering as she leaned against the tree.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU8QuMrw3M
"Yeah, sure," Regan mumbled, though what she said mirrored nothing of what she thought.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cqW861F9w
"Great," Vesper said, her smile turning into a smirk, "Let's exchange phone numbers."
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtI7rpn4Hq
"Isn't it too fast for that?" Regan retorted.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT328QLe1i
The other's expression didn't change, "We're classmates, girl. Of course, we're going to have each other's numbers. I'll give you mine, and you give me yours."
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPJ3K3eLbC
Despite the weirdness of the situation, Regan found herself exchanging numbers. They talked for a while, learning that they were neighbors. Vesper was keen on talking about herself, but just surface things. Her family, hobbies and interests. Regan felt slightly uncomfortable at the thought that she'd have to talk about herself too. She didn't have much to tell about herself, apart from reading and singing sometimes.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm039oKov9
The lunchtime passed, and with it, the school day. Regan left the building without looking back, not waiting until she'd get home.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UKXDlD6re
But even as she thought she'd find a shelter of relief, the whole walk home, she felt perilous, like someone was following her.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFqYuj94Lt
She hated turning around, but she couldn't help the slight pang of fear form. Her pace quickened and she held the house's keys in a position for a self-defense weapon.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8HPtnX9ag
As soon as she reached home, Regan threw the bag on the floor, locked the door, and sighed. It was more of a sigh from tiredness, than one from relief.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZK3tijZ9Q
She decided to her homework, to drift her mind off the uneasy situation. But it started to creep up again, like a vine tightening its grip.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsVcvTU9ZE
She managed to get through her homework, thought that feeling didn't entirely dissipate. When the aunt came home, Regan barely spoke about her school day, and didn't tell her aunt about the red haired girl, or about Vesper. It wasn't too important anyway.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAFpmxkpp9
After they ate dinner, Monica went to her room to do her work assignments and Regan played a game in her laptop. She didn't know if it was just her mind, but she could still feel a little unease in her chest. That feeling hadn't gone anyway.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2EKANrDrN
She lay on the bed and tried to sleep, trying to not remember the non-belonging feeling or the scary stuff about being watched. It was no use.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL56GNSWuIN
She took her phone, scrolling the net, sitting up a bit higher. A small sound clicked on her window and she immediately tensed, her heart nearly stopping. She jumped out of the bed, swiping the curtain aside, but there was nothing. Just the night, dark and cold, and a stray cat wandering through the streets.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpcJMiwYhp
Sleep came to her, but it was an uneasy one, full of intrusive dreams.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kt6SLgbIh
The next morning, she woke up from the sunlight resting on her face brightly. She hadn't slept that bad and was thankful for that. Well, she was very thankful.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiOAorIzjD
She got ready quickly, wearing some baggy jeans and a white shirt, combing her brown hair and putting it up into a messy bun. Her aunt was sipping at her coffee, flashing her a wide smile, "Good morning, dear."
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nvPsh5GJD
"Morning," Regan replied, walking to the fridge and picking a granola bar. But the next thing that Monica said raised her mood a little. She had brought a new car and was giving the old one to her. Regan couldn't believe it for a moment, and hug her aunt tightly. The keys felt purposeful in her hand, and she couldn't wait to drive.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3auPwDW2x
They said goodbye to each other and Regan left, feeling grateful of her aunt's act. She could've just sold it, but she didn't.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdv3WV402V
When she arrived at school, she stepped out and could feel people looking at her. But she only looked forward and buried her face in her phone.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vzndoGA5T
Only to see Vesper's missed calls and messages at 3 AM.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnQy3ACWUy
"Hey girl, you're awake?"
"Are you there?"
"Ya told me you stayed up till late..."
"Regan!"
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr6TMhRZKx
What a weirdo, Regan thought. She had told her she stayed late, but not the specific time. She hadn't expected Vesper to stay up that hour, either.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhW38iZfTt
Her first class was literature. As she entered the classroom, all eyes shot up to her, and Regan fought the urge to cringe. She didn't look at anyone and sat somewhere in the middle of the row.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUKoDje58M
Vesper was sitting on the desk before, her face giving off an annoyed, almost irritated expression.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4n2cpJKBF
"I texted you at night, why didn't you answer?" she asked, quite coldly.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhzd2JpAno
Regan's eyebrows furrowed, "I was sleeping at that time, what did you text for?"
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pWZZOGk7B
"But you told me you stayed awake late at night."
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhSyUe0oS8
"Yes, but not up 3." Well, she stayed up that hour, if her mind decided to play the sleepless state a little longer. So, it was something she couldn't really control. She wanted to sleep earlier but her mind had other plans.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbeWHGOLLH
The literature teacher started the lesson and Vesper turned away.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkJKO5AMor
Regan sighed.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTih37ijTB
She followed the lesson and did the assignments. On the class breaks, only a few would still glance at her. That was all she noticed because she herself wasn't looking at anyone at all. And the boy that stared at her from the day before, well, he was seated somewhere else and was minding his own business. Good. It was good when they minded their own business and no one messed with her.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBAeCCakWm
She looked at the phone and only five minutes were left for the bell to ring. Vesper had skipped her classes and when the bell rang, she came back, getting her things.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8ka0AExvr
"Are you leaving?" Regan asked.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1klEQpSxqf
"Huh? No, just getting my phone," she answered.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6oyY6nkRv
"You left your phone here?"
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAJObTwWX4
"Yeah," Vesper replied nonchalantly. "Are you coming with me to the cafeteria?"
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYBffq4iOM
"I... yes, I was going." She didn't want to go there at all, but she couldn't stay all alone in the class.
ns3.17.9.170da2
