The appointment had gone as expected, much like an interview. Dr. Adam had mentioned things like “creating a baseline” and “gaining an understanding”. The trouble with Ena is that her own understanding was incredibly limited, much more than your average mental health patient.
Black and white sneakers tapped together, with smudges and stains from a life that didn’t feel like her own.
“Sit up straight, Dear, you are making a first impression today, no need to start sluggish.” Her mother’s voice pulled Ena from her thoughts of last week, ever helpful in maintaining appearances. “Sorry Elias couldn’t meet you in person before your first day at a new school, at least he was able to have dinner with us last night though!” She reeled with excitement, his phone calls always did that to her. Ena often wondered if her mom was different around her dad, but she couldn’t personally recall, and her mother was a powerful conversationalist. She could dance conversations in any direction she desired, a trait that Ena envied.
“When will he be back anyway?” The young girl sounded disinterested, pushing marshmallows around in her cereal bowl. Her eyes lifted while her head remained resting lazily on her hand.
Belle sighed and prepared her smile and speech before turning, “Hopefully soon, until then,” she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tight around her only child. “it’s you and me, Kid, so everything will be just fine.” Her heart overflowed with love, but her voice hinted at a struggle inside, something painful. “Now,” she pulled back and brushed back a loose strand of hair from the young eyes that reminded her of her own. “You will be late if I can’t pry myself off of you” Her fingers gracefully enveloped her daughters fair fingers. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you? Do you remember how to get there?”
Brown eyes met for just a second, sharing a commonality of history in a new start, before a nervous chuckle slipped out. “I have seen enough tv to know I don’t need you leaving lipstick all over my face and making a fool of me in front of my new school. And of course I remember, it’s the older memories I’m having trouble with…” She tossed her rich bangs to the side, eyes staying down. “Thanks though…” Reaching for her book bag, she added. “I love you.”
Shifting her weight, Ena tossed the bag over her shoulder and looked up to meet her mother’s beaming gaze. Her arms and mouth opened in sync and started. “My sweet baby-”
“Gotta go!” She dodged her mom’s arms just as the tears touched her thick, long lashes. “See ya later!” She called over her shoulder, rushing out the front door and into the crisp morning air. Her brisk, bouncing steps slowed to a walk as she approached the alley by her house. The girls had driven the route just yesterday, it was simple and not far, but that didn’t make it any more comfortable. Who knew what kind of people lived behind those doors.
It was a sunny day, warm with a comfortably cool breeze. The heat on her black t-shirt seeped into her muscles like a deep exhale during a long hug. Her eyes followed her feet as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder and wondered what the day would hold.
A loud grunt from behind pulled Ena out of her thoughts just passed the alley. Turning, she caught view of a dirty brown shape out of the corner of her eye just before a hard hit knocked the wind from her lungs. The shock and surprise didn’t break until she hit the sidewalk and took a sharp breath in.
“It’s coming!” A scratchy male voice yelled while shaking her bag on her back. He wheezed again and again. “It’s coming. It’s coming!” The squat man tried to stand, his grubby fingers gripped the strap of her backpack, pulling him back to his knees around her. She gasped, sucking in a short breath before his weight pushed the air out and she felt thick breath on her neck.
“Hey!” shouted a young male down the street.
The pressure on her lungs eased and Ena was able to peak out of the corner of her eye to see a round, homeless man looking scared in the direction of the call. He began to fumble, frantically trying to stand, deciding the bag wasn’t worth it. Just as the frazzled man began to turn and run, she saw a black shoe connect with his messy, overgrown beard and send him flying to a skidding stop on the hard ground.
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Coughing, scraped hands moved under dirty shoulders, trying to catch her breath before standing. “Are you okay? Can I help you up?” Her eyes followed the short, black painted nails that wrapped around her arm. Black denim pants led up to a black shirt and a spiked silver choker. Not exactly how an angel dresses, but his bright green eyes still seemed friendly surrounded by freckles and pitch black, box color hair.
A moment passed while Ena gathered herself, lost in his eyes while they moved over her. He gently held her arm to keep her stable, brushing away the dirt from her legs and bringing a blush to her cheeks as he reached for her stomach. Swatting him away, she slowly wiped at obvious smudges on her t-shirt, making no difference while she continued to stare and slowly say, “thank you…” it was quiet, but he was very close to her height, and therefor, looking right into her eyes.
Smiling, the boy seemed to glow, his eyes wrinkling just the slightest bit as he gave a reassuring squeeze. “Better huh?” Looping his arm around hers, the stranger pulled her close to his side and started forward. “I’ll walk with you! You’re the new Sophomore at Barley High, right? Quite a first day!” He laughed just as she stopped her feet dead.
“I’m sorry, who are you?” She asked firmly, her body becoming rigid.
“Oh,” his arms dropped and his smile weakened. “I’m Marcus, sorry, my friend helps in the office, she mentioned seeing your registration paperwork.” A crooked, comfortable smile made his words feel honest while he reached a hand out to shake.
“Marcus…” Ena turned to see the crumbled homeless man still in the dirt of the alley.
“Don’t worry, he’s just playing dead. I really didn’t hit him too hard.”
The dirty man peeked open an eye at the two teens before quickly snapping back shut. Still can’t have felt good…guess he does deserve it though…Her eyes moved back to his, bright and attentive.
“Oh uh, welcome to town?” He shrugged with a laugh and scratched his shaggy hair.
“...I’m Ena…” she said, hesitantly taking his hand for a quick and gentle shake. Adjusting her bag with both hands, she pulled her arms into her body and started around the boy.
Turning with a skip, Marcus walked along side of her. “I promise that I’m a nice guy, as long as you aren’t attacking someone innocent anyway.” He chuckled, hoping she would understand. “So how are you settling in? Have you seen much of the area?” He motioned to head around the corner.
The questions filled the silence but they didn’t ignite a fire to answer as energetically as he had delivered them. “I haven’t gotten out much..” Her eyes floated through the empty streets, an old ninety-something car running in a driveway being the only sign of life on this street. “How big is the high school anyway?”
He laughed, “only like 400 students. It’s well funded though, since it’s made up of kids from a few towns around here. You come from a big city or rural life?”
“A big city.” She quickly replied, she couldn’t remember living there, of course.
“Uh, we cross the street here.” Pointing to the right, she could see the best looking structure this town had shown her so far. It looked like a prison; grey, large, fenced off, with a black iron gate. Marcus was studying her face, he laughed again when her brow raised. “The gate is just for security after hours, don’t want their pretty investment getting tainted by delinquents in the night.” Lifting his nose and holding up his pinky, he pulled his jaw down to mimic a high class socialite with his tone. “Listen,” he jogged forward a few steps and turned to walk backward, facing Ena. “Most of the people are chill, but if anyone gives you a hard time, just let them know that I’ve got your back.” Pointing to himself, he gave another quirky, crooked smile.
What is it with this guy?...
Catching his heel on a crack, Marcus’s eyes grew wide as he fell back. Ena reached out a hand to try and grab him but she was too slow. Hitting the ground, his feet flew up and over his body. “Oof” He pushed his arms off the ground and rolled right back into a kneel before her. “Oops, clumsy me!” He laughed and ran his fingers through his hair before standing.
“Marcus!” A light voice trilled from afar.
Both teens looked toward the school, a few students peppering the outside gate. One small girl stood on her toes, reaching high to wave their direction in her bright red mini skirt and black boots. She started for them, long, straight, black high pig tails swinging with each step. A large smile enveloped her entire delicate face, from bright red lips, to beautifully lined, slightly slanted eyes. As she drew closer, Ena began to notice how short the girl really was, even with the heel on her boots. Ena glanced over to Marcus who also seemed to ooze glee as he opened his arms to her. They exchanged a quick hug before the girl held out a hand, tilted her head, and smiled saying, “My name is Akane. It’s nice to meet you!”