When did everything go wrong?

I grew up somewhere in the suburbs near miami florida. It was always hot, humid and rainy, which made almost every day sticky and miserable.

 I lived near a lake in your somewhat average neighborhood with a somewhat "average" family and a somewhat average life. 

I was alone most of the time. I guess I just found it hard to make friends. I am not the most…social person out there. Other kids thought I was weird. They thought I was gloomy and depressing so they tended to stay clear.

"Don't look him in the eyes," they said.

"He'll curse you", they said.

School was a nightmare for me. Being ignored and made fun of all the time isn't really entertaining or convenient. I mean it IS kinda hard to study when your textbooks have been drenched in milk that was left out in the sun for days.

Boring old gloomy kayson. That is who I was. Who'd wanna hang out with someone like me, Right?

I could never really understand why they never liked me. Maybe it was the fact I always dressed like I was ready to attend a funeral or the fact my hair looked like spider webs. Or maybe it was the look in my eyes. Who knows. Who cares. Regardless, I went through elementary school entirely alone. Well, until 4th Grade. 

Normally I would go to school just to get ignored and made fun of. That was my life, my routine, the way it was supposed to be and that day was supposed to be the same; But for some reason the world felt that things had to change.

...

The car slowed as the brick building came into view. Kids walking to the doors, saying hi to their freinds, goofing off. They looked so happy from the window of the car. 

"Okay we're here." In the drivers seat was a women with long blonde hair her clothes where classy, her makeup stunning. She was gorgeous, you could feel the confidence radiating off of her, confidence that I wished I had. Confidence I knew I'd never get.

The car slowed as we pulled up to the building. 

"You got everything you need kid." Her green eyes glanced in the rear view mirror to look at me. 

"Yeah I'm good." I dug through the navy bag that was on my lap. Double, triple checking to make sure I had everything. 

"Hey Kay, those kids arnt still picking on you are they?" The women turned in her seat to look at me. Her gold jewlery clanking together. 

"If they are let me know. I'll beat the shit out of them for ya." The women had a smile with such confidence I couldn't help but smile too.

"Thanks Aunt Zara, but I'm fine promise." The car slowed to a stop. I reached for the door sliding out on to the side walk. Adjusting my bag so it restead properly on my sholders before starting to the large blue doors. Befire walking in I heared a voice from behind me. 

"Hey Kay! You better have a good day ya' hear me!" Aunt zara called from the car with a troubled expression.  

I smilled and gave her a light nod before turning my back and walking inside. 

...

I walked through the long halls as children ran past yelling. The halls echoed with laughter as I made my way to a door on the far end of the building.  

The door was big and blue with windows along the side just like every other door in the building. Only this one was decorated with rainbow stickers and a large finger painted banner that read " Welcome to 4th Grade! " the door was technically already opened so I went inside.

The class was rowdy, kids chatting, laughing and giggling, playing in their seats. 

The room was lined with grey tables each one with 3 small blue seats that faced a white boared near the front. Posters hung all around including multiplication tables, the alphabet and "Inspirational" words of incuregment. 

So noisy.

 I made my way to the back of the room to sit near the window. Adjusting my bag to where it was cradled in my arms. The perfect pillow. 

Just as my head was about to hit the tabIe I felt a thunk, a crumpled piece of paper fell in front of me.

 "Ouch!" 

That hurt a lot more than it should've. 

I uncrumpled the piece of paper to find a small magnet hidden inside. 

The paper itself read "FREAK". 

A magnet. Really.

Giggles came from the table next to me. I turned to see who the perpetrator was and was unsurprised when I saw a blonde haired girl laughing at me.

"Freak. " she mouthed before she turned back to giggle with her friends.

 I could punch her! I should punch her! I…It doesn't matter…it's nothing new anyway.

 I said nothing. Instead I quietly turned my head to the window and watched the water hit the concrete. 

It rarely rains in spring here, yet here it was ruining my day once again. From the falling bullets to the somber sky that looks down on me, nothing good ever comes from rain. Nothing.

 As I rested my eyes upon the gloomy scenery, a dark haired woman with chestnut skin and wired framed glasses stood up from the corner of the room holding a clipboard. 

" Alright, quite down." The woman clapped her hands in a sort of rhythm which was then followed by the other kids clapping back. 

"Thank you." The curly haired woman smiled sweetly.

 "Today we are getting a new friend." The class erupted in questions and excited chatter. 

Great, just what I needed. Another thing to ruin my already awful day. I buried my head in my arms.

 The woman motions towards the door pulling everyone's attention to the small boy she was beckoning to her side. The room switched from excited chatter, to questioning, judgmental whispers. In front of us all was a small boy with translucent white skin and silver white hair. He could have been mistaken for a ghost if he wasn't holding his backpack and lunch box in his hands. Everyone knows ghost can't touch things.

" Everyone, this is Ellis. He and his family just moved here recently so make sure to treat him kindly."

"Why don't you say hi?" she whispered to the small boy who was cowering behind the womens long orange skirt. The curly haired women let out a small sigh, before taking a quick glance across the room. Sundenly her eyes lit up.

"oh I know! How about you sit next to kayson." It was like a gong was rang in my brain signaling an emergency. My head shot up. 

 What? No! Why me! 

The seat next to me was empty for one simple reason. NO ONE wanted to sit next to me and I prefered it that way. In fact I prayed it would stay that way for the rest of my life, but I guess my prayers were ignored yet again. 

The pale, small boy made his way to the back of the class towards my table. Slowly, he pulled out the blue chair, that was practically bigger then him, and sat down by my side.  

I turned my head towards the window as I internally groaned , not noticing the curious stare from beside me.

…

Recess soon came, the rain had let up and after tons of begging from the other kids the teacher let us outside. Though I wouldve been content staying in, However unfortunately it was policy to stay with the class.

The kids ran out and immediately headed to the playground. I was alone once again.

 I hated recess. Kids yelling and screaming, giggling with their friends, playing house together. 

For some reason it made me sick.

 I walked along the curb like an acrobat on a tightrope 50 stories up. Not bothering to look down, and not caring if I were to fall.

I walked back and forths along it enjoying the loud buzz of my silent head, Drowning out the sounds of joy, replacing the sunny sky with the gray smoke of an enchanting blaze . 

However, My somber thoughts where soon smudged, interrupted by a silent commotion. 

In front of me were 3 girls standing side by side, the one to the left sported an orange bob with a red ribbon, the one on the right displayed two black braids draping down her shoulders, and finally the middle one was blonde holding a familiar smirk and crossed arms. In front of the three was a small, memorably pale boy looking like he wanted to disappear. 

" Hey! You're new here right?" The girl in the middle said, pulling her waist length blond hair out of her face. 

 The small boy did not respond.

 Those three were notorious for picking on anyone and everyone they deemed to be different. And a below average oddly pale boy with unnaturally white hair definitely fit that description.

"Hey she's talking to you!" said the girl with the orange bob. Her name was Avery. 

" What are you deaf?" Echoed the girl with braids, her name was Tari. 

" Oh it's okay guys it must be his age. I mean look at him, he's turning grey already. " The blonde girl sneered, leading the other two girls to snicker. The small boy still did not respond.

"What is wrong with your hair? You look like an old man. Is it real or did you dye it?" she scoffed. Moving closer to the boy examining his scalp. It was almost like she believed that if she stared at it hard enough the color would melt away and reveal its true nature.

The small boy tensed a little but still kept silent. You can tell the Blondie was getting agitated rather quickly.

  " What's wrong with you? Are you a mute too!" The blonde girl shouted. Still nothing.

"ugh seriously! What's up with this hair! I bet you're just trying to get attention aren't ya! You think that this actually looks good! You've got to be kidding me!" The girl reached out grabbing the silver strands of the other. The small boy let out a shrill cry. Tears streamed down his face.

I sighed watching with a blank stare, this had nothing to do with me. I didn't even know the new kid. Why would I want to get involved? I should just be happy that it's not me that is being subjected to the abuse. 

I turned a blind eye and walked away.

 At least that's what I hoped happened. If I did that then maybe things wouldn't have ended as it did.

 But me and my stupid sense of justice had to get involved. 

Before I knew It my hand was on the blond girl's wrist. They all froze.

" That's enough Cora." The blonde girl, Cora, glared at me.

 If looks could kill. 

"Well if it isn't the freak." she scoffed.

" I said. That's. Enough." I glared looking her dead in the eyes. 

We stared each other down. Everyone was silent. The world felt still.

…

If you were to ask someone about Cora they would say that she's a bully. She'd do anything from pushing kids off the playground to mocking them for the clothes they wear. 

 One Time the teacher asked a kid to collect our field trip papers and hand them in after recess, so he did. He went around collecting them all one by one even stacking them in alphabetical order. 

I saw him put them in his folder for safe keeping. However, when we got back from recess the papers where gone. No one went on the trip that day, and he got in big trouble.

 The teacher thought that he had been irresponsible, that he had misplaced them but we all knew better, we all saw the smile on Coras face that day. That slimy disgusting smile. The one she makes when everything is going her way, when shes won, when shes in control. 

We all knew what really happened but no one said anything. I guess they were all scared of what Cora might do. "It's better him then me." Right? 

Everyone always thinks that Cora doesn't care about consequences. She doesn't care about how the adults will see her, she doesn't care if she gets caught and She doesn't care about what the adults think. She fears nothing. However, I know better.

Me and Cora go way back, farther than anyone. And there is nothing she fears more. Then the disappointment and disapproval of an adult. 

…

Cora continued to stare me down. Not releasing her grip on the small boy's head.

"I said. Thats enough!"

"Like hell I'd listen to you, this brat needs to learn his place! He has no right to treat me like this! None!" Cora exclaimed just loud enough for the group to hear.

God shes so entitled.

"Cora, stop now or else-"

"Or else, what!?!" Cora hissed., her glare deepening. 

I paused, unsure if the move I was about to make would be safe for me. After all, Cora held all the power. And shed take this perosnally. Once I get on her bad side there would be no going back. But then again what else could possibly happen. She's already done it all. What more could she possibly do to me. 

I took the risk.

" Unless you want me to get the teacher." I threatened, feeling a sense of accomplishment when Cora's glare faltered. 

" you wouldn't." she glared back.

"Try me". My hand tightened around Cora's wrist as we stood there staring each other down. Neither of us dared to look away; for Whoever looked away first would be the loser and I wasn't going to let it be me.

" I wonder what your mom would think if she suddenly got a call from the principal-"  

 I didnt even need to finish the thought. Cora dropped her hand quickly, letting go of the small boy's hair. 

" W-whatever I Don't have time to be wasting on Freaks like you. Come on!" Cora snapped at the two girls who stood by her side.Cora turned on her heels and speed away. Not giving a second glance to the two boys she'd just left behind. The other two girls gave eachother a confused glanced before traileing after her. 

"Good grief." I sighed feeling the tension I had leave my body. My adrenaline was fading. 

I'm going to need a nap after this.

I turned to look at the pale haired boy. He was rubbing his head in the spot where Cora had gripped. A few silver strands fell to the floor.

 The boy in front was much smaller than me, which was strange since I'm practically the same height as half the girls in our class. He had small delicate fetures too. Truth be told if the teacher hadn't intruduce him as a boy I'd Probley mistake him for a girl.

"Thank you!"

"Gahhh!" I jumped, taking a step back. 

The boy had gotten closer in the time I was spacing out. So close in fact that our noses were practically touching.

"huh?!? " I responded, taken aback by the sudden closeness. Has he ever heard of personal space? But wow their So blue...

The boy's hair, now out of his face, revealed 2 Round vibrant blue eyes. They looked vast and lively like a clear sky.

"I said thank you for helping me." the boy smiled brightly.

 His smile made me uncomfortable.

"Uhh…sure. Anyways… um just stay away from those three. They're like really bad news. It's best not to get involved." 

"Yeah I noticed." The boys crystal blue eyes narrowed. Not the look I expected to see on his face. It was a stark diffrence to the face he held in front of them. It almost looked like he regretted not saying anything.

Well it's none of my business. 

 "Anyways thanks again for helping me!"

"Oh! Uh. Sure. Ah no problem um…" I stubled over my words. I do not talk to people and it was definitly showing.

" my names Ellister but you can call me Ellis whats your name. " He introduced himself with a bright smile and resonable eye contact. 

Was this small talk? Oh no, he must be an extrovert. 

"Uh my names uh. Uh…um" 

"It's okay take your time. "

"Thanks uh... Um..."

Why is he talking to me so much! No one ever talks to me for this long. Why is he still smiling at me? Is his face stuck like that? He wasn't smiling earlier. So whys he smiling at me! God this is so uncofortable! His eyes are so bright and pretty- wait. what! no I- gah! I gotta get out of here!

"My names um ah-"

Just then a wistle sound rang out. Recess was over.

Saved by the bell. Literally…

"Oh um recess is over now i uh- bye!"

I ran towrds the teacher leaving the pale boy standing their by himself.

Now that I think about it. Mabye that's how it all started....