The school bell echoed in my ears, as Holly and I hurried to our next lesson. Sunlight filtered in through the row of windows to my left, overlooking the empty field.
Posters covered every inch of the beige walls, displaying the work of different individuals throughout the year.
I jolted forward.
As someone slammed into my shoulder from behind.
I hit the floor, hard.
Crying out in pain;
As several eyes turned to me:
A tangle of limbs and books on the floor.
"I'm so sorry." An unknown voice exclaimed. "Here-"
The boy reached out his hand; I took it; scrambling to my feet, skirt creased and loosely-tied hair falling in feathers around my bed.
I blushed at him; smoothing the strands behind my ears. "Thank you..."
"Toby." He smiled, nervously. "Toby Oaks."
"So, are you new?" Holly beamed at him, examining his periodic table t-shirt and coal-black hair flopping over his hazel eyes.
He nodded, his eyes never shifting from mine.
"Awesome! What lessons have you got now?" She hummed, attempting to ease the tension.
"Music." He sighed, gathering my books from the floor to hand to me – still staring – transfixed.
"So does Sunshine." She smiled, waving her hand, lazily, as she hurried away for her next lesson; leaving me and Toby smiling awkwardly at each other.
…
"Good morning, year eleven." Mr. White announced, firmly, "I'm going to let you get into groups and continue your projects... Lyrics and music sheets are here." He dropped a stack theatrically upon his piano. "Remember you have only the next four lessons to complete and perform your work. Feel free to get started."
I stared at my desk – half filled notebook, neatly stacked pens, metal water flask.
"Hi." Toby swallowed, tapping me awkwardly on the shoulder. "Where's your sister?"
"Year twelve, photography class." I took a swig of water, rubbing my temples – frustratedly. "And really, really not my sister."
Toby nodded. "Friend then. Can I sit?"
I didn't respond for a second.
He took a seat.
"Have you got a group?"
"Not exactly." I thought about the months I'd spend trying to join the others – how they pretended not to hear me every time I asked. "I prefer to work alone."
I don't believe that for a second." He smirked, gesturing at Meg and our teacher engaged in a dramatic debate.
"I told you, I don't want to work with Sunshine."
"I told you, Meghan." Mr White sighed – irritation grinding in his voice. "It's only for a few more lessons and it's impossible for me to rearrange without failing you – you're just going to have to accept that we can't always have our way."
The second he turned to leave the room; Meg began uttering curses under her breath.
I turned quickly away – pretending to resume my work.
As Meg pulled out the chair on the other side of me, glowering.
Toby smiled faintly. "Hi."
She looked across, then back at her desk, un-answering.
"How long have you been friends with Sunshine?"
"Ewww, trust me, Four-eyes, we've never been friends."
"Right -" He pushed his glasses up his nose; smiling at me in a way which sent a shiver up my spine and my cheeks turn pink in embarrassment.
Meg scoffed loudly. "Whatever - I'm working by myself anyway – don't give a damn if it screws with my grade."
I rolled my eyes and smiled briefly back at Toby as he chuckled.
"What exactly is your problem with me?" She leaned in, hissing. I knew she didn't want a real answer.
Feeling my muscles ache with tension, I pulled the keyboard out from underneath the desk and started gently running my fingers along the keys, picturing the music out loud - filling the air with joyous warmth – strength.
"Seriously Sunshine!" She persisted, "Tell me why the hell you're mad."
"I'm not." I protested, in a calm, hushed tone. "It's just not going well for me at the moment."
Meg gaped at me – open-mouthed – as if no words could escape her mind. After years or being controlling, manipulative and cruel, she finally couldn't hurt me... And she knew it.
I was stronger now. Strong enough.
I was winning.