A Little Fear

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in everyone’s problems and give in to issues of your own. I just happen to be the one wrapped up in all of the problems. At least I have enough dignity not to put my issues in the hands of others. School can be so hard. Stressful even. Sometimes I wonder whether giving up would be worth it.     “Roselyn! Are you even listening to me?” questioned Marlee Reese, my best friend. Marlee had hazel eyes, pale skin, and brown to blonde hair. I blinked as I returned to reality. Marlee sighed, opened her apple juice bottle, and stuck a straw in.  “Did you even listen to half of what I said? You know I hate having to repeat myself,” She complained. I picked at the fuzzy skin of the peach sitting on my lunch tray. I didn’t feel hungry. I couldn’t eat it even if I tried. I couldn’t recall anything of her long speech. Think. What did she say? It had to be something about her algebra class.  “Yeah, I know. You were talking about that girl in your algebra class, Clair...” I shut my mouth. I shouldn’t have said her name. I looked up from my tray to face Marlee. She looked upset and slightly disappointed. She began to rub her temples.     “I don’t feel well. I’m going to go to the nurse’s office...” Marlee explained, picking up her tray. “You can come along I guess.” She didn’t look well. I considered her offer. I would go but, She doesn’t want me to go, I won’t.  “Thank you for your offer, but I’d have to pass today. I need to practice for my theater auditions next week.” Marlee threw me a sorrowful expression, but her eyes said otherwise.  “Okay, have fun with that.” She walked to the cafeteria entrance and dumped the remaining food and her unfinished apple juice into the trash bins next to the doors.     “Bye Roselyn,” She said, giving me a weak wave.     “Bye Marlee. I hope you feel better,” I replied. She proceeded to set her tray on the Tupperware container next to the trash cans. I stared at the peach on my tray covered in nail marks. It almost looked sad as well.  At least you don’t have anything to worry about, you’re just a peach.  I carried my full tray over to the trash bin and dumped all my food away. Marlee can be such a prevaricator sometimes. She never tells anyone about anything. She’ll freeze up anytime something from her past confronts her. I get her feelings about Clair though, after all, she was the one to hurt Marlee’s brother, Sebastian. He went missing around three weeks ago, and Marlee has been out of it since.  I started down towards the library. I might have enough time to check out some books. Maybe. I passed by the nurse’s office as I made my way down. Wondering, if Marlee was okay. I peered into the window to see Marlee crying, her face turning a pale purple. Sitting next to her in the nurse’s chair was Clair, wearing a sly grin across her face.  I could barely make out the exchange between the two,  Clair laughing at Marlee’s misery. I pressed my ear against the office door, trying to hear more.  “Roselyn Beth Valkin! What are you doing at my office?” roared Nurse Kelson, as she walked up behind me. She also just so happens to be my aunt. I flinched at her loud, scratchy voice. “Oh! Sorry, Aunt Ryleigh…” I mumbled, staring at my Nikes’ shoelaces. “I was going to check up on Marlee, but she was speaking with someone.” “Okay, but why would you need to spy on them like that?” She asked, pointing out my obvious attempt to observe their conversation. I was at a loss for words. Aunt Ryleigh wouldn’t believe me if I said anything in my defense anyway, after all, she thinks that Clair is the sweetest angel out there.  “Well, I saw Marlee crying, and I thought…” I paused. I looked up at my aunt’s face. She looked older than she actually was, with graying hair, wrinkling skin, and hands covered in calluses. She was 43 but she looked like she was in her late fifties.  “You thought what?” “I thought Clair was making Marlee cry, okay?” I yelled. She looked dumbfounded as she took a step back, clearly shocked by my sudden outburst.  “I see.” She turned to look in the window, seeing Clair laughing at Marlee, “I just don’t get it, Clair is such a sweet girl, yet here she is laughing at Marlee.” I looked back up at her, trying to see any sign of emotion in her eyes, but they just looked cold and distant. “Maybe she’s trying to tell her some jokes, to lighten up the mood.” She stated, clearly not believing a word I said.  “I knew it. How could you favor some random girl over your own niece? It’s clear that you don’t care at all, so why don’t you just hang out with Clair instead!” I yelled. I knew that I really hurt her but at that point, I honestly couldn’t care less. “I am so over you treating me like a child, acting like every word I say is coming from a four-year-old’s imagination.” “I see how it is Miss Valkin. Good day.” She turned away from me and opened the office door, slamming it behind her, leaving me alone in the process. I turned my back away from the door. I couldn’t believe I had said that to her. I really was a terrible person. “You’re blocking my way!” Hissed a high pitched voice.  Please be anyone but Clair. I turned towards the door to look at the person behind the voice. Of course. There she was in her fake innocent disguise.  “Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” I said truthfully. “Maybe you could show everyone your true form, then you’d be much more obvious.” I snapped. She scoffed at me and slithered away.  I checked my watch. Oh shoot, I only have less than two minutes to get to Language Arts. I rushed down the halls to my locker, fumbling with the combination lock.  “06, 64, 72,” I mumbled under my breath. I swung open my locker door and reached inside for my textbook and journal. As I was about to get up from my bottom locker and head to class I heard Marlee talking to Sage, my brother, who preferably goes by his middle name, John. “So, you’re saying that Roselyn purposely made Clair threaten you?” John gasped. What? I never did that to her! “Yes! She is obviously such a terrible person, you shouldn’t talk to her anymore.” She insisted. I couldn’t believe my ears, why would she say such a thing! I’ve known her since we were just kids. I was so shocked, that I didn’t even notice the bell ringing.  “Roselyn?” Whispered Ms. Lilith, my history teacher. She had strawberry blond hair, with gorgeous blue eyes. She was the sweetest teacher here at Acadia High. “Oh yes, Ms. Lilith?” I mumbled in answer. She looked concerned, probably since I was just sitting by her classroom.   “Are you ok? You look kind of pale,” She questioned.  “Yeah, I just got lost in thought,” I responded, picking up my textbook and journal. “I have to get to class before I get detention.” She grabbed my hand and helped me stand up. “Okay, If you need anyone to talk to I’m always here.” She said with a small smile on her face. “Thank you, I’ll consider your offer. See you next period Ms. Lilith.”  “See you, Roselyn.” She turned around and walked back to her classroom as I trudged to Mrs. Tallow’s class. Right as I opened Mrs. Tallow’s classroom door, I heard her loud, booming voice.  “Roselyn, how great of you to finally decide to join us.” She clucked her tongue at me and wrote my name on the board. “I’ll be expecting you at detention after school.” She then pointed her marker to my desk, and I took my seat next to Selena, my now only best friend.  “Dang Rose, that’s tough.” Selena laughed. “Tallow’s in one of her moods again.” “Wow, I couldn’t tell,” I responded sarcastically. “Maybe you could anger her some more.” “Does it look like I want to be murdered? She’s a literal monster!” Selena giggled. She isn’t the only monster here. “Anyway, are you coming to my house after school? My mom’s making burritos.” “I would, but who knows how long I’m going to be stuck in Tallow’s detention! I might not make it out alive!” I responded dramatically. She laughed at me. Just a bit too loudly. “Selena Wood! Would you like to join Miss Valkin in detention?” Screamed Mrs. Tallow. “No ma’am.” She whispered. “What?” Mrs. Tallow was now raging at us, her normally pink face now bright red. “No Mrs. Tallow.” She said now louder.  Mrs. Tallow took a deep breath and wrote Selena’s name on the board next to mine. “That’s for giving me attitude,” Mrs. Tallow informed. Selena audibly groaned, and Mrs. Tallow glared at her.  Selena whispered to me, “Great, we’ve both been captured by the witch.” I had to laugh. Mrs. Tallow really did look like a witch with her mousey hair, and almost yellow skin. Though, her eyes were the creepiest part about her. They were light gray and almost soulless. The rest of the day passed by quickly. Ms. Lilith’s class was just a movie on U.S. Agriculture, so I had time to look over my audition monologue. My monologue was from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by Shakespeare. I was playing Titania. After her class, it was time to face detention. I walked out of Mrs. Lilith’s classroom and walked across the hall to my locker. I opened my locker door for the last time this week and pulled out my blue Adidas backpack. I looked into my locker’s mirror. I don’t look like anyone special with my regular brown hair and eyes. Not to mention the fact that I don’t stand out compared to Marlee with her dyed blonde tips. I unzipped my backpack, stuffed all of my supplies into my bag, then slammed my locker shut.  As I made my way towards Mrs. Tallow’s class Marlee appeared behind me. “Hey, Roselyn!” She said happily. Now that was strange. She was so angry earlier and yet here she is, looking happier than ever.  “Uh, hi Marlee,” I said confused. “I thought you were angry at me.” She looked strange, tilting her head to the side. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was never mad at you!”  “Okay, then.” I replied, furrowing my brows slightly, and continuing my way to Mrs. Tallow’s class. Marlee continued to follow me as I picked up my pace. By the time I reached the classroom, I was almost sprinting. I peered in through the door. No one was there. I stopped at the doorway, waiting for Marlee to leave, but instead, she strode into the classroom and shut the door behind her. “Marlee what is wrong with you!” I yelled. She quickly turned her head to face me. Too quickly. I stepped back as I realized what was happening. That wasn’t Marlee. I turned on my heels to escape the room but when I pulled on the handle of the door it wouldn’t budge. It was locked from the outside. This is a team attack.  I turned back around to see the thing impersonating Marlee start to shake and convulse. It made a weird blood-curdling howl as it arched its back and started growing hair and fangs. I backed up against the door as its eyes started to change from Marlee’s regular hazel eyes to a bright neon yellow. Its large fangs and teeth were yellowed and blood stained. It roared a loud ground shaking scream and lunged towards me claws out. I ducked and rolled to the side as it hit its head on the door handle and crumpled onto the ground. I looked around for any sort of weapon but all I could find were Mrs. Tallow’s red scissors.  This is it. This is where I’ll die.