*beep, beep, beep, beep*
The annoying sound of the alarm clock blaring loudly tore through her dreams, as it forced her consciousness to the surface.
"Ugh! I so did not miss this when I was in the cave!" Trinity mumbled in her sleep. She brought her hand to muffle her ears from the sound, and got bopped in the head by something hard that she had been holding in her hand.
Now wide awake after beating herself in the head by the mysterious object, she opened her eyes to see a very small, yet beautifully carved wooden box wrapped in her hand. "What's this?"
She turned the box around in her hand, trying to figure out where it came from. "Did dad give me this as a 'good luck on your first day back to school' gift?" She shook it gently and heard something rattle around inside.
Laying her hand and the box against her pillow, she scowled and grumbled, dreading going back to school right now. High School students weren't really known for being considerate of other people's emotions or feelings.
She knew that her father had already spoken with the school principal and all of her teachers to let them be more aware of the situation. They had all agreed to keep an eye out for any incidents or bullying.
However, the image of what happened to her back in that alley three and half weeks ago, scared her in terms of how far people might go, if they considered her a traitor for helping the demon. Even more so if they knew that she now sympathized and understood him better. She shivered and closed her eyes as a chill went down her spine imagining what horrors she might be strolling into today.
Forcing herself to sit up, she decided to see what her father got her. She ran her finger over the intricate spirals and details carved into the box. She smiled as it reminded her of the details that Zyxel had previously carved into her staff before. Was it possible this wasn't from her father after all? But then that would have meant that Zyxel had been in her room while she slept.
She bit her lip nervously as she thought about how she felt about that. If it had been Zyxel, why would he have shown up here? Not to mention, how did she feel about him being inside here, without her knowing? She still hadn't had time to process everything from what happened earlier. Nor did she know just how in control or out of control he was right now.
She lifted the lid up off the wooden base when suddenly her father shouted from the living room. "Trinity, hurry up or you're gonna be late!"
She looked up at the clock and slammed the lid back down as she saw what time it was. "Crap, I need to get dressed, quick!" She set the box down on her nightstand and raced to her dresser to get dressed before quickly brushing her hair and teeth. Then reaching for her backpack and hoodie she ran into the kitchen to grab a package of pop-tarts.
"Love you, dad! See you later!" she called out as she made a mad dash out the front door to hurry so she could catch the bus.
As she caught up with her friends waiting at the bus stop, she set down her heavy backpack and pulled on her jacket hoodie. She was hoping that by wearing something that would hide all of her features except for her face, then she just might be able to survive her first day back to school, unscathed.
As the bus arrived and both of her friends climbed up the stairs, Trinity turned back and faced the direction of their house. 'Dang! In the rush, I forgot to grab the box. I'll have to wait until after school to figure out what it was.' She climbed up the steps of the school bus and joined her friends who were saving her a seat beside them.
~*~*~*~*~
Trinity sat on the bus with her head leaning against the window. Jessica's arm was wrapped around her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her. While Rachael sat turned around in the seat, playing guard dog against those who sat in the seats behind them.
"How bad do you think it's gonna be back, guys?" Trinity asked, her lips pressed into a thin line with worry.
Jessica hugged her tight with her arm that she had wrapped around her shoulders. "However bad it's gonna be, we're here for you, and we both got your back!"
Rachael nodded in agreement, keeping her eyes posted on all the rowdy kids behind them. "Once they get used to you being back, and see you are still the same person you have always been, this will all die down, and they will move on and find something else to take their aggression out on. But until that happens, we just need to stick together. Luckily, you'll have at least one of us inside of each of your classes!"
Trinity looked over at Rachael and gave a weak smile. "Thanks guys! You both are the best friends anyone could ever ask for!"
Suddenly the bus pulled over and stopped. Trinity looked out the window, then looked up at the bus driver as she watched him get up out of his seat. She wondered for what reason, they were pulling over.
"Rachael, I will not move this bus any further until you turn around and sit in your seat correctly." the bus driver called out.
Rachael just feigned interest in her nails as if she were bored. "Then I guess we won't move, because I'm not turning around!" she called back.
Trinity bit her lower lip. "Rachael, it's ok. I don't want you to get in trouble because of me."
Rachael shook her head defiantly. "Don't sweat it, Trinity. I chose to sit this way. If I get in trouble, it's on me, not you. I refuse to allow anyone to get in a shot at you just because we are forced to turn our heads away and look forward." The look on her face was stern as if nothing could change her mind.
Rachael looked up as the bus driver was suddenly standing directly beside her. "Hi there!" she smiled up at him.
"Sit in the seat correctly, or you can join me up at the front." he demanded.
"I'm staying!" Rachael insisted.
"Last warning, missy! If you don't turn around and sit in your seat correctly, I will call the school to let them know of this incident and you will sit out the day inside of detention."
Jessica placed a hand on Rachael's shoulder. "Rachael, let's do what he says for now. Think about it. What is the worst thing they can do while on the bus? The bus has a camera that will record everything that happens, if anyone tries anything. But if you get detention, then who will be with Trinity in class when I'm not there?"
Rachael hated to admit it, but Jessica was right. "Fine!" she grumbled. "I don't like it, but you're right." She reluctantly turned back around in her seat.
Finally satisfied, the bus driver went back up front and resumed driving.
The three of them sat next to each other, just trying to lie low and not cause any attention towards themselves. When suddenly a ball of paper came flying and hit Trinity in the back of the head.
Scowling, Trinity took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
Jessica pat Trinity on the arm. "Just ignore them. They're just trying to get a rise outta ya. Let's not stoop to their level."
Several more balls of paper continued to fly in her direction until suddenly something hard hit her upside the back of her head. Her head ducked down forward out of instinct, and she cradled both hands over the spot that it hit. Luckily the hoodie had absorbed some of the impact, but it still hurt.
Furious, Jessica picked up the item that had been thrown. It was small, less than one inch of a rock.
Trinity's eyes narrowed in anger. Now they were throwing rocks? As she stood up to face the attacker, Jessica attempted to pull her back down, but it was too late. The moment she turned around, a large egg collided against her forehead, sending albumen and egg yolk streaming down her face.
Multiple people from the back of the bus burst into laughter, as she attempted to wipe the runny mess off of her face.
That had been the last straw for Rachael. Twitching with anger, she jumped out of her seat and glared at the boys in the back. "Who threw that?" she demanded.
A snot nosed senior smirked at her as another clapped him on the back with a wide grin on his face. Neither cared about hiding the fact that the punk had thrown it.
"Screw detention, I will gladly accept it if it means enjoying this moment right here!" Rachael blurted out. She stormed over to the boy and decked him hard in the face with a solid punch.
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Books I am currently writing:
- The Forbidden Luna
- Divine Banishment