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UNDERESTIMATE chapter 2

The first week of school was hell.

Maybe I'm overthinking, and maybe I'm just not used to it since summer break but it feels as if I'm in jail every time I walk through my school doors.

Here I am now, doodling on my notebook cover. I had drowned out whatever Ms Porter was saying and instead started day dreaming about finally graduating and leaving this place.

Thankfully, they haven't pounded us with homework so I was free mostly during class. However, I still had a lengthy schedule that included extracurricular activities, one of those being gym. So when the bell rang to sixth period I knew exactly where I was headed.

A large thump is hit against my shoulder, I turn my head around to see Tristan walking with his friends. His eyes dull and his lips downturned. This is how it has been this week. He acts like he hates me.

He won't even acknowledge my existence.

When I get to gym the coach immediately states we'll be running laps. Just my luck! See the thing with locs, they're heavy and when you're exercising they get hot. So the last thing you wanted was to run with waist length locs that sweat your scalp out. However, there wasn't like I had a choice so I swallowed my nerves and my pride and pulled my hair up into a tight low bun.

The run began and I was behind everyone. I tried my best to keep up but it was only a matter of time before my legs couldn't take it anymore.

"Hey! Fellow slow runner?", A voice comes from behind me as I was trying to catch my breath.

"Huh?", I pant before looking up to see another girl, light skin with full lips and sister locs smiling down on me, also trying to catch her breath, "Oh yeah I've never been good at running.. or exercising.. or anything athletic".

We laugh together as she runs beside me, the rest of the class far ahead of us.

"Same here. I don't even know why I chose gym. Maybe I was missing a credit or something", she laughs, "I'm Vanessa".

"Esmé", I reply back with a smile, "I don't think I've seen you around here before?".

"That's a pretty name. I'm new. My dad's an entrepreneur and an engineer so we move around a lot. Hopefully we don't leave during the school year like last time, I'd really like to graduate on time".

"Oh I see! So you must see a lot of different cities and stuff", I exclaim, Vanessa nodding with a grin.

"More like different countries. I'm originally from Canada but the best place to live in? Gotta be London".

"London?", she's been to London?! Now that's crazy, "Let me guess you're an expert tea drinker", I ask with a butchered English accent.

"Well I'll have you know, darling, that tea enthusiasts have nothing on the gallons I drank that year", she replies in an equally butchered English accent that causes both of us to laugh.

But we're rudely cut off by our coach screeching a whistle from the bleachers and screaming, "Come on ladies! Move it move it move it!".

"Uh oh coach might make us to sit up's if we don't catch up", I joke, Vanessa giggling with a nod.

"Yea you're right. Hey weird question though, do you happen to sit with anyone at lunch?".

I sigh and shake my head, "Unfortunately no. Besides the Lord. I am a complete and utter loser with no friends".

"Well.. so am I! Wanna be complete and utter losers with no friends together?".

A smile spreads on my face and in that moment I knew; I had just found my new best friend.

The rest of gym passed by more smoothly now that I actually had someone to talk to. Vanessa was sweet and kind, she told me about her adventures in different parts of the world. Like learning to skydive in Florida. Or petting animals in Alaska. It was shocking to hear just how many places she had lived in. 

We were now walking side by side to lunch, Vanessa telling me a story on the time she had gotten bitten by a rattlesnake and they rushed to the hospital.

"What did it feel like?", I ask, astonished.

"It hurt like I don't know what", she giggles, "But after a while the pain kinda went away and it just went numb. Thank God a clinic was on the other side of the road I don't know what would've happened if it wasn't".

We made it to the lunch room where we grabbed our trays and took our seats at one of the tables.

"Enough about me, let's move on to you. Where do you plan on attending college?", Vanessa asks with genuine interest that catches me off guard.

Truth was the idea of college wasn't exactly appealing. But I knew that if I wanted to leave this town and finally be free from the past it would have to be my only option. I brought a cold fry to my mouth and chew it slowly, "Maybe somewhere overseas. I'd love to be around the ocean".

"Oh yeah the ocean is beautiful", the woman sighs as she lays her head in an open palm, "You'll love it, the smell, the look the— woah.. who is that?". Suddenly Vanessa's eyes widen and her body perks up as the culprit of who sparks her interest walks across our table.

My eyebrows furrow as I watched Tristan walk with his group of boys who were laughing and slapping one another on the back. Tristan being the only one to have a straight face even when his friend told him to "lighten up".

"That's Tristan", I mumble, picking up my fork and playing with my Mac and cheese.

"Girl he is fine. Did you see those eyes? I wonder if they're real".

They are. I shrug and take a slow sip of my chocolate milk, "He's okay I guess".

Vanessa turns to be with a gasp escaping her lips, "Oh is he your ex or something? I'm sorry—".

"No no", I quickly usher while waving my hands back and forth, "It's not like that. We.. we used to know each other.. when we were kids".

"Ah I see", Vanessa replies, "Sucks though, you two would make cute couple".

Ha. Yea right.

Tristan couldn't stand me.

But I guess I couldn't blame him.

After school Vanessa gave me her number before promptly and sort-of scarily demanding that I call her. I promised her I would as we separated our ways. The walk to the parking lot was hefty so I slung my bag over my shoulder as I made my way towards Justin's car.

That is until I stopped in my tracks upon seeing a familiar face leaning against my step-brother's car.

When I met eyes with Tristan it was as if my heart began to beat out of my chest. Time seemed to move in slow motion as his mouth dropped open before shutting tightly and looking away. But just as soon as the butterflies came I immediately felt a sense of hatred as Justin came around the car.

"Are you coming or not?! I have to drop you off, we have to study", he exclaims before throwing an arm over Tristan.

I stared at the boys for a while before chucking angrily and rolling my eyes, "Yeah no", I turn on my heel and walk away.

"Wait— where are you going, Esmé?!", Justin called behind me but I promptly ignored him.

Just my luck. So now he's friends with Justin. He hates me and now he's friends with my MORTAL enemy.

Just. My. Luck.

I had made it about a few feet from the school when I felt the hot air from an engine graze my leg. It didn't take long for me to realize that Justin had drove beside me on the road and began to roll his window down.

"Yo get in the car", he states but I only cross my arms over my chest harder.

"Leave me alone".

"Esmé cut it out, I told dad I'd bring you home before 5".

"Leave me alone, Justin".

"Dude—

"I said LEAVE ME ALONE!", I scream, catching Justin and Tristan, who was sitting in the passenger seat, off gaurd, "I'm walking to work!".

"Geez, fine".

After my outburst I guessed Justin had taken the hint because his car came to an abrupt halt. Both the boys watching me swiftly walk away till I turned the corner, completely out of sight.

"Lord give me strength", I sniffle as I aggressively wipe away the tears that spilled from the feelings of dread filling me instantly. I knew Tristan wouldn't be able to forgive me but seeing him now, seeing how much he despised me, it was definitely hurting more than I thought it would.

We used to be so close.

Him, Eli, and I.