Chapter 1 Title: Death is a Beginning (1 of 3)
"Check her pulse."
"..."
"Shock her."
"..."
"LARA."
"..."
A few hours before.
"Look at her. Always wearing all black, and sitting by herself."
"She's so ugly, no wonder she never got a boyfriend."
In the corner of the classroom sat a teenage girl who is half Asian and half Caucasian, about 15 years old, wearing all black with a circular green jade necklace with runes and cravings tied by a black thread around her neck. She was 5 feet and 8 inches tall. Long black hair, long eyelashes, and two beautiful eyes with the majority of green, brown, and a hint of blue. A semi-clean face with a small almost non-visible scar on her left cheek. Tiredness in her eyes with some light black bags underneath her eyes from the lack of sleep and anxiety.
Lara overheard all the conversations. She knew they were talking about her. The school bell soon rung, and students rush out of the classroom.
Lara picked up her bag and left class to pick up her winter coat in her locker. As she was walking all by herself, she found herself lost in her own mind, turning the corner, she bump into somebody causing the both of them to fall. It took awhile for Lara to get back to her senses before she stood back up and whisper under her breath, "sorry" before walking away.
The other person that Lara bump into was another girl. She didn't hear Lara say sorry underneath her breath as Lara walk past her.
"Hey bitch, are you just gonna walk away after what you done" said the blonde girl.
Lara stop and said "sorry" once more, then continued walking again.
The blonde girl walked up and pulled Lara's black ponytail to stop her from walking.
Other students started to gather around. Tension was building in the air as Lara stood there doing nothing. All eyes were focus on her and she felt like everyone was taller than her. Voices start to appear in her head, doubts and insults that people have labeled her attack her mind. She didn't like crowded spaces and millions of eyes on her.
Lara look down and bit her lower lip. She tried to run and try to force her way out, but the blonde girl was still holding her ponytail. Lara kept on going forward as she felt the pain on her scalp.
The blonde girl responded by yanking Lara's hair down, causing Lara to fall onto the ground. Her face could be seen as tears fell pass her cheek.
"Eh, I think that's enough. She...she already said sorry. You don't need to make such a big deal out of this," said someone with a hint of fear in his voice.
Lara look up to see an African American guy standing up for her.
The blonde girl let go of Lara's hair and stood up.
"You better mind your own business, or I'll make my boyfriend Kevin beat you up. So you better step back," said the blonde girl.
The African American guy heard Kevin's name and went back into the crowd and shut his mouth. He knew that Kevin was a buff person who would beat people up and wasn't afraid of getting into trouble.
When this was happening between the blonde girl and the African American student, Lara was still trap in her own mind, shaking from all the eyes gazing at her as if she was a rabbit being stare down by ten thousand lions.
The blonde girl walked back to Lara and saw a necklace around her neck. She grab it, and took the necklace off of Lara's neck. This sent Lara back to reality as the necklace left her body. Lara stood up and try to grab the green jade necklace back, but was too slow. The necklace was a gift from Lara's mother and was the only thing that made her feel safe when she was afraid.
"Give it back," said Lara clenching her hands.
"Or what," said the blonde girl playing with the necklace.
Lara walked up and tried to grab it again, but the blonde girl kept moving back. Then Lara rush forward with a punch, landing it right on the left cheek of the blonde girl. The blonde girl stumble backed a little bit.
"You bitch," said the blonde girl touching her left cheek.
She ran up to Lara and threw a straight punch, but Lara took a step forward, and use her hand to grip onto the blonde girl's right hand. She then turn her body 180 degrees and bend her knees a bit, flinging the girl over her shoulder.
Boom!
A body landed on the ground of the hallway. She wince in pain as a groan came out. Lara walked up and took the green jade necklace out of her hand, before putting it around her neck.
Every student stood there in shock. The quiet girl that seem as weak as a lamb, flip one of the most popular girl in school.
With the boom sounding throughout the hallway, teachers showed up and so did the principal.
The principal saw a girl on the ground in pain and Lara holding something in her hand tightly as a group of student surrounded the two.
"You in my office," said the Principal looking at Lara.
Almost 2 hours later
Lara sat in the passenger seat with her dad driving. Lara was quiet the whole time looking out the window. Soon they got home with Lara speed walking to the front door as the father slowly follow behind.
"Lara, what happen?" said Lara's father looking at Lara.
"Nothing dad," reply Lara not bothering to look at her father.
"Nothing? You punch a girl and then flip her," said Lara's father.
Lara turn around and shouted, "It's because she started it okay. She pulled my hair and she took my necklace. Why are you blaming me for defending myself. I get in trouble, but not her. Why is it that those who do bad things never get punish, but it's us victims who have to deal with the consequences. I was being bullied dad. I've been bullied ever since I was young, but I never told you."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner," ask Lara's father.
"It's because you never listen. You are never there for me. Always working at the hospital that you don't even have time for your daughter. No wonder mom left you," snap Lara.
The last sentence sent the living room into silence. A pin drop could be heard. Lara realizing what she just had said ran up to her room with her stuff.
A phone ring finally brought Lara's father back to reality.
"..."
"No I won't be coming tonight. My daughter got into trouble," said Lara's father.
"..."
"Yeah, I'll be taking today as a day off. Thank you, " said Lara's father.
After thinking and letting Lara be by herself for about an hour, Lara's father went to the third floor. As he went up he looked at the arts and souvenirs that he and his wife got from traveling around the world. He and Lara's mom always loved to travel and gather different arts from all over the world. Many masks, many paintings, and other arts were spread around the home.
Lara's father pass the bathroom and saw the lights on. He also heard water running from the sink, indicating that Lara was probably in the bathroom. Lara's father walked to Lara's room. He looked around for a bit and saw a picture of him, his wife, and Lara smiling in a frame. Lara was holding both her dad and mom's hand, with a beautiful smile on her face.
Thump!
Lara's father turn around and a bad feeling appeared in his gut. He ran to the bathroom and knocked on the door, screaming Lara's name. No response came from the bathroom.