Chapter 4- Aiyana

“Her skin is flawless,” Mike thought to himself as he studied his newest interest just a few seats ahead of him. He wasn’t even pretending to pay attention to Mrs. Lenox anymore. Her voice had started to sound like the adults in the old Charlie Brown cartoons as soon as she started talking.

He studied her and as he caught a glimpse of her profile, he was thinking that she actually had the most perfect skin he had ever seen. He knew a lot about skin. More than he wanted to know. His father was a dermatologist and it wasn’t a secret that he was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps. He was supposed to be in the office after school to help out and “learn a thing or two straight from the source, the best of the best…”

Mike felt the scowl come across his face, but it was only momentarily. He watched as Glory slowly turned and took a peek over her shoulder. She looked directly at him. He was sure of it this time. He flashed her a knowing smile and she narrowed her eyes and quickly looked away. She was such a sassy thing.

He was enjoying her resistance, already finding her frown a bit endearing, just like her curious limp. If it weren’t for those two things, her beauty would probably have made her unapproachable. Mike considered asking her to model for a few photos to put up in his father’s new office, but realized he was getting ahead of himself, as he tended to do.

He eyed the clock, making sure he didn’t miss counting down the seconds until the bell. He was going to be the first person up and ready to help Glory to her next class. She would act like she hated that, but he knew it was only an act. Why had she put up these walls? The mystery was so intriguing.

She glanced at him again, this time more indirectly, but her eyes flitted his way, and he gave her another sly smile. She ignored and immediately refocused on the teacher, but her back was straighter and more alert than before. He was having a reaction.

He considered asking her to come watch him practice on his dirt bike after school but it sounded like an excuse to show off and it probably was. She would say no anyway. Instead he decided that he was going to walk her home, whether she wanted him to or not.

“I should meet her at her locker,” he thought, “as soon as I figure out where that is, or maybe ….”

“ Mike? Mike!” the teacher scolded.

“Oh! Sorry Mrs. Lenox. Can you repeat the question?”

“Who is the artist of The Scream?”
“ On page 43…” she hinted.

“Munch?” he read from the book.

“Glad you joined us back on planet earth,” Glory said with a snicker

Chapter 3- Lola

Glory hit the button on her alarm clock and forced herself to get out of bed. After an extra long shower she threw on some distressed jeans and purple hoodie. She grabbed her backpack and went to the front door. She took some deep breaths. It took all her will to open the door and step out.

Glory dragged her feet during the walk to school. She knew she should hurry since she was supposed to go talk to Ms. Miller, but maybe if she was late Ms. Miller would still meet with her and Glory could miss most of first period.

As she neared the school there was more students around. Glory pulled her hood up over her head and took out her IPod. With music blaring in her ears she could drown out the voices that she knew were talking about her.

She made it to Ms. Miller’s office just as the first bell of the day rang. Ms. Miller was sitting at her desk reading some papers. Glory stood in the doorway not making a noise. She wanted to prolong having to go to class as long as possible. After a couple of minutes Ms. Miller looked up.

“Oh Glory, you’re here. Come in and sit down.” She indicated one of the chairs.

Glory slumped into one of the chairs, her IPod still on. Ms. Miller began talking, but Glory couldn’t really hear her. Ms. Miller began pointing at her ears so Glory slowly turned the IPod off and took the buds out of her ears.

“Really Glory, you may get away with that with others, but not with me. I don’t care if you listen to your music in class, that’s up to your teachers, but with me you’ll listen. Got it?”

“Yes, sorry. I just have a headache and as odd as it sounds the music helps.”

“So you’re still getting the migraines?”

“Yeah, but they’re not as bad as before.”

“Have you taken your pills?”

Glory hesitated before speaking. “I stopped taking my pills?”

“All of them?” Ms. Miller voice was full of shock and worry. Glory was supposed to be taking pills for migraines, depression, anxiety, and pain.

“I hate feeling like a walking pharmacy. Besides they make me feel weird, like a zombie.”

“Do you really think that the beginning of the school year was the best time to stop taking your meds? Do your parents know?”

“No, I really haven’t talked to them much. I hate talking.”

“I know. Listen you need to get to class, but I want you to come and talk to me if you need to. If you can’t take something today don’t go running home. You can come here and we can talk or you can even just sit on the couch and listen to your music. Just please don’t run away. That’s not the answer.”

Glory began to turn her IPod back on when Ms. Miller spoke again. “If your teachers don’t mind, and if it doesn’t interfere with your work, then you can listen to that. The minute a teacher tells you to turn it off you do. Got it?”

Glory nodded her head and stuck the buds into her ear. Most of her teachers pretended they didn’t notice her listening to music instead of the lesson. The exception was her gym teacher, Ms. Bakowski. Even though Glory had a note excusing her from activity, she was expected to participate somehow, so she got to be the teacher’s helper.

Glory handed out the papers that had the rules for tennis on them. As she walked passed Zoe and her friends, one of them tripped Glory. She went down hard on her bad leg. She rolled onto her back and grabbed at her leg. She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears. She didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

Ms. Bakowski rushed over. “Are you okay Glory? Do you need to go to the nurse?”

Glory shook her head and sat up. “No, I just need to sit down for a minute.”

Ms. Bakowski helped Glory get to the bleachers and sit down. The rest of the period Glory noticed Zoe glancing her way, a pained look in her eyes. ‘What right does she have to look at me that way?’ Glory thought.

After gym, Glory had lunch. She was limping a little more than usual. She was having a hard time carrying her tray to a table.

“Would you like some help?” A deep voice asked.

Glory looked up into the hazel eyes of a tall boy. He had dark brown hair and olive skin. One corner of his mouth was pointed up into a crooked smile. Glory had never seen him before, and she would have found him cute, but she hated sympathy.

“I’ve got it,” She quipped and walked away to an empty table. The boy followed and sat down at the same table.

“My name’s Mike,” The boy said.

“I don’t remember saying you could sit there.” Glory stared at him. Did he not know who she was, what she had done?

“I figure it’s public domain. You don’t have to talk to me, but I’m new in town and it would be rude.”

“What, you didn’t make any friends yesterday you can annoy?”

“Yes, but if I sat with them how could I enjoy your winning personality?”

Glory actually smiled. She looked down at her tray to hide it. She did not want to smile. She wanted to be moody and hate life. She didn’t deserve to be happy. She didn’t look up for the rest of lunch and Mike had chosen to become mostly quiet. When the bell rang he spoke again.

“You didn’t touch your food.”

“I’m not very hungry. Not that it’s any of your business.” She placed her tray through the kitchen window and left. Mike followed her again.

“What, are you stalking me now?” She huffed.

“I’m just going to my next class.”

“Oh sorry.” Glory reached the door to her art class. Mike held it open for her. “This is your next class?”

“Yes,” Mike smiled.

“Great,” Glory replied sarcastically. She took a seat at the back of the classroom. She tried to focus on the paper in front of her, but her eyes kept wandering to the boy with the great smile. Just what she needed, a crush.

Chapter 2- by Angel

Glory slowly forced open her heavy eyelids, swollen from the tears she’d cried herself to sleep with. She wondered how long she had been lying there and tried to focus her eyes on the clock beside her bed but could only make out the blurry pink silhouette of Hello Kitty.

She’d aged so much in the past months. Many parts of her former self were left behind in the wreckage, her bubbly youth included. The clock suddenly seemed ridiculous and childish. She raised her hand and slowly slid the kitten to the edge of her nightstand, and then teetering it with one finger, finally let it go and watched it fall to the floor.

11:39

Her mom would be home for lunch soon. She started to think of excuses, not because she was afraid of her mom forcing her to go, but because she knew her mom would worry. She’d caused her enough worry to last a lifetime, and suddenly running home seemed like a really stupid idea.

Just as Glory was about to slide into another slippery slope of self-pity and loathing, the phone rang. She let it ring until the machine picked it up.

“Glory, this is Eva Miller. If you’re home I’d really like you to pick up…”

Ms. Miller, another person Glory hated to make worry. She was the school counselor and she had been a friend even before the accident. She was not the old blue haired lady you normally associate with the title of school counselor, although she did have large tortoise shell glasses that looked misplaced on her chubby and youthful cheeks. She was probably in her thirties, but could easily pass for much younger. She had flawless caramel skin and a beautiful pair of matching caramel eyes if you looked through those bulky square frames. Glory had been on the dance committee last year and worked with Ms. Miller during those weeks every day. She even ate dinner with her a few times and enjoyed her company, immediately feeling like she was a friend more than an authority figure. She came by often after the accident and Glory was suddenly embarrassed for not having gone to talk with her, rather than running home.

Glory picked it up “Hello Ms. Miller.” She hated that her gruff voice gave away the fact that she’d been crying.

“Glory, are you coming back in today or do I need to come by and drag you up here myself?” She pretended to be serious, but Eva Miller wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“I don’t think anyone is really missing my presence, and I’m thinking of enrolling in...”

“Don’t even say it Glory! We’ve been down this road and the alternative school is not going to help build your character or help you grow. It’s just a way for you to bow out of life and I’m not going to let you do that.” This time the serious note in her voice was much more believable.

Glory wanted to be left alone. She wanted to lie back down in bed and pull the covers over her head again. She didn’t even care if she ever got a diploma, much less “growth” and “character”, but as much as she hated to admit it to herself, Ms. Miller had a way of making Glory feel better and feel as though her life was still important even though she had done horrible…she still couldn’t quite complete the thought, even to herself.

“If I let you take the rest of today off, will you come in tomorrow?” she asked in a hopeful tone and Glory could hear her genuine smile behind it.

She couldn’t say no to that, and besides, her mom would force her to go tomorrow anyway and she didn’t have the strength to fight them both off for long.

“Deal, but I’m bringing an ipod and I’m not socializing at all.” Glory said and meant it.

“Just one other thing then Glory and I’ll let you have your day off.” Glory definitely noted a hint of excitement in Ms. Miller’s voice.

“What is it?” she sighed with audible displeasure.

“This weekend, I am meeting my brother at the airport in Hartford and I need a friend for the ride.”

“That is almost a 3 hour drive? I’m not sure my parents will let me go.” Glory said, praying her parents wouldn’t let her go.

“I’ve already asked them, so see you Saturday morning. Actually, I’ll see you tomorrow morning bright and early in my office ok?” Eva said confidently.

“Ok, then what choice have I got?” Glory sighed.

“None! Bye Glory” Ms. Miller practically cheered.

“Bye.” And Glory hung up.

“How am I going to handle a six hour road trip?” She thought.

Glory was still a little uneasy riding in cars, and had only become used to riding to a few familiar places without feeling nauseous in the past couple of weeks. She still wasn’t driving. She planned on never driving again. Glory would have worried about it a lot longer, but the idea of facing everyone at school tomorrow was bothering her more.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard her mother pull up. She contemplated staying quietly in her bed until her mother finished lunch and went back to work. Actually that sounded like a great idea. Glory quietly curled up and pulled the blankets over her head.

“Glory!?” She could hear the panic in her mother’s voice as she yelled her name. Glory’s eyes closed a little tighter with every loud thud as her mom bound up the steps until she burst into the room.

“Hi?” Glory sheepishly said before lowering the blankets and peeking at her mom’s wide eyed, panicked stare. “How did you know I was here?”

“Are you ok? The door was wide open down stairs!” Her mom relaxed a bit seeing that Glory was ok, but waiting to hear why she was home early before she completely exhaled.

“I’m fine, it was just harder than I thought it was going to be today. Ms. Miller gave me the rest of the day off and I’m going back bright and early tomorrow ok?”

Glory hoped that was sufficient and the worry would wipe off of her mothers face, but it didn’t. If anything, it deepened. Looking at the furrows of her mother’s brow, and creases along the sides of her frown that had only recently formed, Glory felt guilty. A feeling that came easily now, and begged her to go back under the covers, but forced her to join her mother down stairs for lunch, make small chit chat and smile until her mom believed that Glory was really ok.

Chapter one by Lola

Glory stood on her back porch watching the stars glitter like magic diamonds in the night sky. She wished she could take some of that magic and use it now. Tomorrow was the first day of her junior year. She was not looking forward to having to see all the judging faces as she walked, well limped, through the halls. At least the limp wasn’t as noticeable now, and was getting better each day.

A shooting star blazed across the sky. Glory closed her eyes and made a wish. “Please let me go back to that day. Please let me make everything better. Or if you can’t do that then take me and let her come back.” The words were just a whisper, but they held so much pain for a sixteen year old.

Over the summer Glory had done nothing but hang out with her friends Clara, Zoe, and Ellie. Her best friend though was Ellie. They had grown up together since they were in the same play group as toddlers. They called each other sisters. Then everything changed.

Glory and Ellie had gone to a fourth of July party. Glory could still remember how they had tried to look like they were nineteen instead of sixteen. She could remember the way the air smelled and the sound the crickets made. Both girls had too much to drink, but Ellie was worse off so Glory drove. They were driving along a curving road with trees on both sides. Glory took the turn too fast and the car rolled down an embankment. Glory’s right leg was crushed beneath the steering wheel. Ellie was thrown from the car and smashed into a tree. Glory could see her friend lying in a heap. She tried to move, but couldn’t. She began to sob until she passed out.

Glory was in the hospital for a couple of weeks. She had a few minor cuts and bruises, but her leg was broken in a couple of places. She still did physical therapy once a week. At least she could go to physical therapy. Ellie would never go anywhere again. No one would see her sunshine smile. No one would hear her laugh that was like a song. No one would ever look at her beautiful face again.

Tears began to roll down Glory’s cheeks. She brushed them away and stamped her foot giving a frustrated growl. She wasn’t sure if the crying was from missing Ellie or all the stuff that had happened since.

Everyone one blamed Glory for the crash. Ellie had been the most popular girl in school, but she wasn’t your typical popular girl. She was nice to everybody and everybody loved her. She had no enemies and could make anyone be a better person. One night of wanting to feel grown up had ended it all.

Clara and Zoe had stopped talking to Glory except to call her names when they saw her. They didn’t really hang out with each other either. Clara began to hang out with the dance squad more and Zoe hung out with the gossip hounds.

Glory was definitely dreading tomorrow. She had no friends and no hope. Things might have been easier if she could dance, but because of her leg she was kicked off of the Dance squad.

“Gloriana?” Her mother’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “You better get to bed honey you have a big day tomorrow.”

“I know mom I was on my way.” She let out a small sigh and headed to bed.



Glory slipped her tennis shoes on. She wished she could wear sandal, but the limp made her trip if she did. She was wearing Jeans and her favorite black tee with the silver angel on it. She hoped it was a guardian angel and would help her get through the day. She took a deep breath and grabbed her bag. Her license had been taken away so she had to walk to school. She kept her head down and counted her footsteps, afraid to look at anyone or see the way they were looking at her.

She tried to arrive just as the bell rang so that she wouldn’t have too much time waiting around in the halls. Her first class was English. She was the first to arrive and took a seat in the back. Her hands were folded on her desk and she stared at them as if they would give her the strength to not get up and run from the room. She could feel the stares of the other students as if they were red hot pokers torturing her. Math and French followed. Again she sat in the back with her head down. No one said a word to her.

Her fourth class was gym. She hated getting sweaty when she still had three classes to go. Luckily she had a note excusing her from anything too extraneous. No one dressed the first day as it was just a day for the teachers to learn who there students were and lay down the rules. Glory sat at the end of one of the gym bleachers. She was staring at her shoes when she heard a familiar voice.

“Hmm seems there letting criminals in the school now.” Glory looked up to see Zoe walking past with two of her friends. She bit her lip and went back to staring at her shoes. The girls began to laugh and climbed up the bleachers to sit behind her. One of the girls kept lightly kicking Glory in the back of the head. Glory tried to ignore them, but the kicks kept getting harder. She finally couldn’t take it anymore.

“What is your problem?” She yelled while jumping to her feet.

“My problem is murderers being allowed to walk free.” The girl, Jenna, Snapped.

Glory opened her mouth to say something, and then shut it again. She grabbed her bag and left the gym as quickly as she could. She wasn’t sure what she was doing, but she found her self back at her empty home. Both her parents were at work and her siblings were at school. She went up to her room and crawled into bed pulling the blankets over her head. She was never going to school again.