Madam Mafia

Rose

My eyes snap open, the sound of my alarm clock taking me from my sleep.

"Ughhhhh." I stuff my head into my pillow, trying to block out the annoying beeps that assault my ears. I sigh, throwing the pillow to the side and staring up at my ceiling.

I really don't know how I manage to get up every single day.

I hesitantly roll off my bed and land on my feet. Walking into my bathroom, I stare into the mirror.

My eye bags sag a little low as my stare reflects back to me as dead as I feel inside.

Ha, what a great morning.

After a quick shower, I brush my teeth and start getting dressed.

Should I wear the big ugly dull red sweatshirt or... The big ugly green sweatshirt?

The red one's looking worse than usual. I grab it, throwing it over my head.

Can't risk anything. I have to blend in.

I quickly get dressed, get my bag and leave, in no hurry to the prison I call high school. I walk there since I live close to it. At least the walk isn't long.

After being there for three years, you learn to blend in. I had to learn to blend in a way I could just disappear. I focused on my studies, avoided friends, and made a few enemies.

Not really a nerd, but if that's what will keep me hidden, sure.

4 years of high school with some bullying here and there, nothing enough to bother me, I've been through much worse.

I clench my fists, shaking my head.

It's stupid to think of all this now,

I enter the building and head towards my locker. My combination and a punch later, the locker opens. I place my books in and watch as the usual hate notes fall from inside my locker onto the ground.

Childish. First time I got these, I went home and laughed. I really felt like I was surrounded by children. Brushing them off to the side, I shut my locker. I turn on my heel on my way to English.

I hate English with a passion, ugh. No matter how hard I try in that class, the words put me to sleep. I sigh, resisting the urge to run in the opposite direction, and start walking. I make it to class a few minutes early. Few students sit among the seats, one face I've never seen before.

A new student? Whatever. Not my business.

I make my way to my usual seat at the back of the classroom, left corner, next to the window. The morning sun shines on my desk, reflecting onto my fake glasses and my eyes.

I try ignore the new boy right beside me, but despite my thoughts, my eyes glance over to him.

He's cute, I guess. I can tell Ashley will love him. Dark brown hair and eyes, nice build, he's definitely going to fall in with that group.

He's already a little less attractive. Everyone friends with them are a little ugly in their own way. Maybe, it's just my bias.

I continue peeking over at him, as he stares blankly to the front.

Yeah, I'm done with thi-

"Like what you see?" He asks. I blink. So he was paying attention, after all. I should've looked away. This could be tiresome.

"Not really." I sigh, pulling up my hood and away from him. The chair squeaks against the tile floor as my face frown a touch more.

"What do you mean? You were staring pretty hard a second ago." He says, his voice a little louder than before. I try to hide behind my hood more.

He'll attract way too much attention. Fuck.

"Just forget I said anything. Sorry for staring, I guess." I say, hoping that's enough to get him off my back.

Sensitive much?

"You guess?" He asks, amusement clear in his voice.

Is he going to drag this? Shit, why can't he just fuck off?

"Fuck off? Really?" He states. My eyes widen.

Shit, did I just actually say that out loud? Did that just happen?

"No, just ignore me. I said I was sorry." I say, through clenched teeth.

Why is this going so wrong?

"You sound like you want me to fuck off. Should I be offended?"

He's playing with me. I can't be his first friend here. I don't want to be.

"Lis-." The bell rings and interrupts me. A flood of students walk through the door and the teacher sits at his desk. I turn and face the front.

This is better. To just forget this whole conversation happened.

"Class, today we have a new student." The teacher calls out. Student mumble among themselves as they notice him. I continue looking forward.

"Please come up here, Ryder." Ryder sighs loudly, gets up, and walks to the front of the class.

"Introduce yourself to the class, Ryder." The teacher urges.

"I'm Ryder Brown. I come from the South, but I'm here to stay."

The class swoons at his rich, deep voice. I still try to avoid eye contact. I can't give him any other reason to talk to me.

"Anything else?" The teacher asks.

"Um, I'm looking to make friends and get along with everyone." He winks and almost all the girls in class swoon and giggle some more.

I sigh. I definitely should've just sat somewhere else today.

"Also, I love the color red." A shock goes through my chest as I glance up at Ryder. He stares back at me with a smirk.

Ugh. Just another reason to hate English.