I Still Hear the Rain

Brittany-

Depression. One word. Ten letters. Thousands of lives effected. I’m just one of them. My parents didn’t care. All I was told is that it would be out grown. That was three years ago. Sitting alone im the cafeteria of my high school I could feel the eyes burning in the back of my head. Nothing new. The familiar trio who sat across from me would watch me closely as if I were an extraterrestrial. I looked up briefly only to meet the eyes of the infamous Alex Gaskarth. Great, humiliation in 3, 2… 1. I thought to myself. As if on cue he came up to my deserted table.

“Brandy, right?” He sat on the table.

“Brittany.”

“Right, well I’m having a party this weekend. You should come.” He smirked. I saw right through it. Before I could give him an answer, the remaining two joined him. Even better

“Yeah, it’ll be fun.” His skunk haired accomplice threw an arm around me. The other simply stood there. He was the quiet one. We were in a few classes together. He didn’t seem to act like his friends. Who’s to say he wasn’t just like them? Luckily the bell rang. I got up and made my way to sixth period U.S. History II. As I took my seat the quiet boy made his way in the room. Slowly he joined me. As the final bell rang the teacher shut the door. She stood in the front as she waited for the room to settle down.

“Today we will be learning about the Revolutionary War. Now who can tell me why we went to war?” She wrote the topic on the board. I copied down the assignment into my notebook. “You will work in groups of two and write a three page essay on whether or not you agree on the war. Who ever you are sitting next to is your partner. You have fifteen minutes to come up with a list of reasons why you are for or against the war.”

“So I guess you’re my partner.” I turned to face him and nodded. “What do you think we should put?”

“Well, everyone was for the war because the colonies needed to be free of Britain. So I agree with the war. It might have been the only option.”
“Okay. I agree. But I think we could’ve tried a compromise.”

“True.”

“Okay. Time’s up. Now take these ideas and compose a rough draft of your essay.” Once the bell rang I went out of the room to go to my next class. Someone called my name.

“Brittany, wait.” I spun around to see him walking after me. “You forgot your papers.” He handed the stack to me.

“Oh thanks Rian.”

“Actually, want to walk to class together? We have calculus together.”

“I know. I don’t mean to be bitchy. Why are you being nice to me? Jack and Alex-”

“I hate how they do that to you. And that party, you should go. I’ll make sure they don’t do anything to you.” He flashed a toothy smile.

“I guess I could go.” I sighed and took my seat. “Where and what time?”

“It’s at Alex’s house. And probably around seven-ish. I’ll pick you up.” He sat behind me. Jack and Alex came in quickly. They sat on both sides of Rian. As I took out my notebook a paper ball hit my head. Looking over my shoulder I heard Alex snicker.

“What are you looking at four eyes?” I rolled my eyes.

“Guys, just-”

“Rian, shut up.” Jack yelled at him. Did he just try to stand up for me? Wow. I focused back on the assignment. I nearly forgot about the incident until a folded piece of paper landed on my desk. Sorry about them. –Rian. I scribbled a reply. it’s fine, I’m used to it. While the teacher wasn’t looking I handed it back to him. The bell rang dismissing us for the day. Before I could leave the room someone called my name.

“Hey, wait up.” Rian stopped in front of me. “They’re being jerks. Sorry. And I was wondering if you could tutor me in history. I meant to ask earlier but forgot.”

“I could, I guess.” I replied as we left the room.

“You don’t have to.” We reached my car. “I understand.”

“No, I will. It’s just- you’re different than I thought.”

“Different? By different you mean not like Jack and Alex?” I nodded and looked down at my beat up converse.