“What the &@!%i”

I jumped out of bed, startled beyond belief by the obnoxious, terribly loud ring tone blasting from my cell phone. I sat on the floor, clutching my chest, cursing at the small device, and at myself for thinking it was a good idea to sleep with the phone next to my head. I clicked ‘dismiss’ , and checked the time.

It is 6:10.

I have about a half hour before I need to catch the bus. I yawned loudly and pulled myself back into the bed, my mattress seeming more comfortable now than it had been while I was fast asleep. I shot a look of scorn at the smart phone, hating it for waking me up in such a way. My bedroom door flew open, followed by the blinding light of my lamp.

“Bailey, are you up yet?” my mom asked, peeking her head in. “You have to get the bus soon, I can’t drive you today, other wise I would let you sleep later.”

“I know, ma’. I’m up.” I squinted at her. “Could you shut the light off, though?”

“No, keep it on, I’m not having you pass out. Get up now.” she turned to leave, but stopped, and walked back into my room. “I have that nice, pink sweater that Zoe’s mom bought you, why don’t you wear that today? It would look nice with your khakis.”

“No thanks. I already have an outfit picked out.” I glanced at the jeans and sweater I had folded on top of my dresser. The temperature had already begun to drop, forcing me to change my First Day of School Outfit from shorts and a t-shirt, to a sweater and jeans. “Besides, you know I didn’t like that thing she got me.”

She laughed. “The sweater is not a thing, and I think Zoe’s mom would love to see you wear it. Now get up and get ready.”

“Fine.” I said jokingly, and got up.

I repeated my normal morning routine; five minute shower, brushed my teeth, did my hair, and got dressed. I went downstairs, hopping a few steps on the way down, nearly killing myself in the process, and raided the cabinets for something to eat. I found a box of granola bars and grabbed two, peanut butter and chocolate chip--my absolute favorite--and devoured them. I took a few gulps out of the carton of soy milk in the fridge and went back upstairs to brush my teeth.

I hate having food in my teeth.

. . .

I checked myself out in the mirror on my wall, smoothing the fabric of my sweater over my stomach. I grinned at my reflection.

I look so damn good in this, I thought, and laughed, happy that I finally found my grey and black striped sweater, after losing it last year after I bought it.

I ran my fingers through my shoulder length, razored locks; suddenly, I got butterflies. Not one of my friends had seen my new haircut yet, and it has been forever since I’d done anything.

Before it was cut, my hair had been down to my ass.

Now, it’s shoulder length, choppy, and I have bright blue highlights which contrast greatly with the darkness of my hair.

“Oh. My. God.”

I grinned wildly, recognizing Zoe’s voice immediately, and turned around. “Well?”

“Your hair! It looks awesome, Bail.” Zoe sat on my bed, her eyes still locked on my hair.

“Thanks.” I leaned against the wall. Zoe and I had known each other since second grade. We immediately became friends after I punched the ever so annoying Dylan Charles in the stomach after he stole my lunchbox. She deemed me cool, and after receiving the compliment, I made her my best friend. We’ve been inseparable ever since, getting into trouble almost always.

We were a most unlikely pair. Zoe Carson being the typical blonde hair-blue eyed cheerleader, minus the &^^#^iness of course, best female athlete in the school, and humanitarian extraordinaire. She did whatever she could to help people in need. Zoe often called me in the middle of the night, saddened by the commercials of starving third world countries, and expressed her want to save the children, my only response to her kindness an incoherent, tired grunt.

And I, Bailey Morgan, the ‘weird’ kid. The girl who would rather stay home and write poetry than party. The girl who spends most of her time downloading music than applying to colleges, and actually giving a rat’s ass about school. I don’t have many friends. But the ones I do have, are by far the most awesome people I know. Most of my classmates tend to…stay away from me, due to my twisted, and somewhat offensive, sense of humor. My standoffish demeanor may have something to do with that as well, but I like to think that they simply cannot handle just how cool I am.

Hey, it’s nice to dream, ain’t it?

“I think we’d better go. It’s after six thirty already.” I said.

Zoe let out a yawn, and followed me downstairs. “Bye, mom, we’re leaving!” I called out.

“Bye you two, see you after school. Have a good day!”

We left and began our trek down the long road toward our bus stop. Zoe zipped her hoodie up, complaining about the low temperature. I on the other hand, am quite hot right now.

Damn sweaters.


“So, you think this year will be any better than last year?”

“Oh god, I hope so.” I said. “I better not have Mr. Daniels again for English again, or I’ll kill myself.” I grimaced.

“Didn’t you get your schedule?”

“Yeah, but it only shows my first semester classes. And I don’t have English this half. I can only imagine what prick I’m going to get..”

“You curse so damn much.” she laughed.

“And oh, like you don’t. You’re worse than me at times.”

She grinned. “Mom says I sound like a trucker.”

“You sound proud.” I laughed.

“Why shouldn’t I be? Swearing is an art, Bailey.”

I shook my head. “You’re an idiot.”

“Hey!” she frowned.

“It’s out of love.” I smiled. “I promise.”

“Yeah, right.” Zoe frowned. “$&#i The bus is there already, run!”

“Dammit.” I mumbled, and took off running, Zoe behind me, trying not to trip on her shoe laces.

We reached the bus finally, the two of us trying to catch our breath. “Just in time,” the driver said, “I was just about to leave.”

I scanned the rows of seats, and finally found and empty two-seater. I grabbed Zoe’s wrist and dragged her into the seat. I looked over at her. She seemed nervous.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

“I wanna go home.”

“There’s no turning back, now. We’re leaving already.”

She slammed her head against the back of the seat. “I know.”

. . .

The bus doors opened, and we all rushed out of our seats, shoving past each other to get off of the bus quickly. I descended the stairs and stepped aside, and waited for my friend to exit the bus. Odd, because I had been sitting in the window seat. She should have gotten out before me.

“Bailey!”

I looked around at the sea of students, trying to figure out who was calling me. I shrugged and ignored the voice. Zoe finally stepped off the bus.

“Bailey!”

“Dammit, who the hell is calling me?” I growled. “Ah, &^*#i” I yelled as I was grabbed from behind and lifted off the ground in a tight hug. I craned my neck to see my attacker.

“Miss me?” Gavin smiled up at me, and gave me a tight squeeze before he set me down.

I gave a him a tight hug. “Yes, I missed you! How was your summer?”

“Pretty good, we should have hung out though.” he frowned.

“I know.” I sulked. “If my parents hadn’t forced me to stay at grandma’s house all summer, I would’ve definitely seen you.”

Oh my, what a summer of hell that was. Never again will I spend two months, let alone a single weekend, with that old woman.

“Well, at least we got to talk, right?”

“Yeah.” I smiled. “Have your schedule?”

“Yes, I do. What’s your first block?” Gavin asked, brushing his bangs out of the way. He stared at me with his bright blue eyes.

“History.”

“With?”

“Mr. Lambert. He’s awesome. I had him last year, too.”

Gavin checked his schedule. “I have him, too!”

“So, I love how you guys totally ignore me. Quit gushing over each other and talk to me.” Zoe whined.

“Oh, does poor wittle Zoe feel left out?” I teased.

“Yes, poor wittle Zoe does. Now what are you two love birds talking about?”

“We are not love birds, you ass.” I made a face. “We’re talking about classes. Let’s hurry and get in before the bell rings. Where you headed, Zoe?”

“Gym.” she frowned.

“What are you sad for? You play every sport the school has.” Gavin said.

“Yeah, but I don’t wanna run laps first thing in the morning. I’d rather sleep.”

“You are the laziest athlete I’ve ever seen.”

“You know it. See ya later, guys!” Zoe turned down the hall toward the locker rooms, running into friends of hers along the way. She began chatting excitedly with them.

“So, where is Lambert’s room?”

“Up on the second floor…room..112.” I said, checking the paper for the room number. Over the summer I had forgotten where it was.

“Well let’s get to class.” Gavin put his hand on the small of my back and pushed me down the hall.

. . .

Gavin and I sat in the back of the room, far from Mr. Lambert’s desk, so that we could talk without being caught. Either way, the old man wouldn’t be able to see us due to his ailing vision. It is still nice to have the seats in the back of the class, though.

Our teacher finished taking attendance, and quieted the class so that the morning announcements would be heard.

The principal droned on and on about how she is delighted to see us all again after a long, hot, wonderful summer. She read through her expectations for the students, as well as when our locker numbers would be given out.

The speakers cut out, ending the principal’s announcement, and we resumed talking once more, each student involved in a conversation. Mr. Lambert sat back at his desk, focused intently on something on his laptop.

The speakers crackled again, and Mrs. Shepherd began talking again. “I’m sorry, I seemed to have missed an announcement. Free influenza vaccinations are being administered all throughout next week in our high school gymnasium. Our town has been chosen by officials to test a new, safer vaccine. If you would like to receive a shot, please fill out the appropriate forms in the nurse’s office if you are over eighteen. If not, your first period teacher will give you the forms necessary. Thank you.”

I looked at Gavin. “They’re testing vaccines on us?”

“I guess. Are you gonna get it?”

I shook my head. “Nah. I’ll live if I don’t get it.”

Gavin pursed his lips into a firm line. “Shouldn’t doctors just be getting the vaccines?”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Just seems odd that they’re testing it in our town.”

“Gav, relax. They do this sort of @@$@ all the time, testing drugs on people. Just now, maybe they’re not into paying people.”

He shrugged.

“You get freaked out over little things. Don’t look into it too much.”

“I don’t know. Just seems weird.”

“You’re weird.” I smiled, and lightly kicked his foot.

“Alright class, time to read the syllabus.” Mr. Lambert said, standing in front of the class.

The class let out a collective groan as we all turned toward the front of the room.

“The fun begins…” Gavin muttered.

“No &#^!.”

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Now, this is just the intro to the story, so I apologize if this is a bit slow.

This was inspired by a dream of mine, where a school was given a new and untested "influenza" vaccine, for free, and because of the ailing economy, citizens jumped at the chance to help protect their children from becoming ill.

But what they didn't know, was that they were being used as guinea pigs. The drug began to have horrible effects on the people who had taken the drug.

What I'm really looking for, I guess, is crtitique. Because I am unsure of continuing this, or whether or not it has promise.

So be honest, and tell me what you think of it.

Also, I apologize for the first chapter's length, I just wanted to get this all out in one part, without breaking it up.

updated Aug 4 '11 by Ashlie