Chapter 2

The sun was shining its morning raise over the clear sky. The birds were chirping the morning songs along the fragrant wind dancing with the baby leaves of trees in the celebration of a new day. Today was mid-August 2010 when Jane Martin was preparing for her first ever class at Bardell Senior High School after she drove to Washington two weeks ago with her whole family.

A black-haired boy in his mid-teen in an orange shirt with blue jeans and white sneakers was standing in front of a two-story house with white walls and modern architecture. His left foot was tapping continuously in frustration on the grass, of the front lawn. His eyes keep switching from his smart watch on his left wrist to the front door of the house. His nose was crushed in stress as every second passed on his wristwatch.

"Hey, Bish! I will be late on my first day because of you. Come out already!!" He yelled as his patience started to tick out.

"COMING!”, a girl’s voice shoots out from inside for the fifth time, only gaining his sigh.

Meanwhile, the girl inside rushed to the shoe rack to pick up a grey Adidas shoe with a white sole paired with grey ankle socks. She was wearing a black oversized, half-sleeved T-shirt and light grey joggers with a white cap on top. Her not-so-long pitch black hairs were tied in a ponytail pouring out of the back hole in the white cap.

“Slow down Jane, or you will trip down.” A lady in her 40s jogged toward the girl with a toast in her hand. 

“Here, eat this.” She lifts the piece of that brown bread in front of the struggling lad with her shoes.

“Mom, I’m full. I have to hurry, or George will blast outside.” The 17-year-old said while tieing the lases.

Her mother, commonly called Mrs. Martin by neighbors, sighed as she kept the food on the table and faced Jane.

“I will be going then,” Jane spoke to the elder but got pulled in a light hug.

"I hope you will like the new school. But in the end, if you feel you can't take it, just come back to us. Please never force yourself." The elder whispered in a gentle voice and slowly patted her back.

There is something her mother was worried about. She was afraid that if Jane ends up like before, they will be going to pay a huge price, which could be her life.

  

"Don't worry mom, I know. I m the one who decided to change my school and live alone. I’m glad you both supported me.” She let go of her arms and flashed a small smile.

“HAVE YOU SLEPT AGAIN? I’M DONE. WE ARE LEAVING!” The teen’s shout reached them again and her eyes rolled in annoyance.

“I swear this little-! Why are you leaving George with me?" she whines with a scrunched nose as her mother chuckles.

Jane doesn’t want to babysit her two years younger brother, an ultra max pro cheap version of a monkey in her eyes. The upcoming days are going to be hard for her to cope with the studies and daily life of a high schooler. In between this new start, she wonders if she could pay attention and spend her brain to get through his mischievous nature.

"Aish, I can't leave you completely alone. I and your dad will leave for the town in the afternoon so take care of yourself and him. I have told him to behave and help you in households." She pets her head.

"Okay~. I will do my best. I will miss you and dad. OK BYE", she waved at her mother and left the house.

Jane gives a smile to Mrs. Martin before closing the door, not making her mother worry. She heads out only to see her father glaring at her brother, George.

"Hey! I got smacked from dad because of you," he whines, rubbing the back of his head.

"Who told you to swear on their daughter." Jane flashed a challenging look to the junior.

She hopped in the car after smacking the black head again and left him to dumbfound at the corner. He nearly cursed at her again but slipped in back silently after gaining his father's stare from another side.

They head to school as their father, Mr. Martin, drives them to the institution building. As soon as their car stopped, both the sibling jumped out of the vehicle and run for their respective classes.

"Your lazy bear! I’m late because of you now!!" he huffed while running behind his sister.

In her previous school, she was known for late comer and always rushed in the late hours. She still can't get over her habits that didn't surprise him by her speed.

Soon they reached the front gate of the reception and checked out the list for her classroom number.

"Room no. 309" Jane mumbled under her breath and run to the stairs leaving the tired little brother on his knees.

"Hey, don't get in trouble!" he managed to speak between his swollen breath only to get a wink from her and run away.

Jane reached her floor and found it empty and silent like a haunted corridor. She already predicted the classes must have started by now. Her eyes roamed each door until they led to the 309. Without taking a breath, she jerked the door without knocking.

Every student was already sitting and calling for their attendance, flinched by Jane's sudden appearance. The teacher got startled and her eyes nearly pop out. Her hand patted her chest as she was on the verge to get a heart attack.

"You scared the shit out of me." The teacher mumbled and the class giggled. She threw a glare at the room and the silence again maintained its peace over the kids.

"What’s your name girl?" the teacher turns to Jane, standing with a straight face.

"Jane Martin," she spoke with a plain voice. The teacher stood up and walk toward her but again jumped back a step as Jane bowed down her back.

"Sorry miss, I was late, so I rushed in suddenly. I’m a new student." Jane surprised her with her formal apologetic requests.

"okay come in." the elder called her in.

As soon as Jane stood straight her eye got cold and emotionless as the crowd whispered between themselves and stared at her. The teacher checked for her name on the new student's list and smiled back at her.

"I see we have a special transferred student here."