//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: A Second Chance // by Technovore //------------------------------// I rub my temples in an attempt to ease the pain of my headache. School today was not kind at all. It seems like the teachers and students have been especially aggressive today. I get why Mrs. Manic was mad, she spilled coffee on her shirt. But I don't understand why the other teachers were. Probably pay cuts or something. The student's problem might be home matters, no use in prying. The hallways I'm walking down are relatively empty. I had stayed at school later than most because I found a book in the library I couldn't put down. Since it was a little later there weren't as many students in the halls. Like I said, relatively empty. Most of the remaining students were either coming from or going to after school clubs. This ensemble of nerds, jocks, cheerleaders, band geeks, fashionistas, and weirdos, like myself, is rather entertaining to watch. I can see a nerd waving at a jock, and him replying to the nerd with a smile and a wave, despite the jock insulting him a day prior. A band geek and a fashionista are conversing. Under normal circumstances it would be social suicide for a fashionista to talk to a geek or nerd of any sort. To see each group at peace with each other, unlike during class, is comforting. I like it because it shows that no matter what one group says about another we all have one common factor. That factor is wanting to stay and learn more when the rest of the world wants to return to what it already knows. This brings a smile to my face. My thoughts are interrupted by a loud bang from a locker in another hallway. Curiosity gets the best of me and I go to investigate. I head to the hallway to my left and I peer around a corner. I see three male students surrounding one girl. “You think we're gonna just forget what you done just like that!?” the tallest said with venom dripping with every word. “Please just leave me alone! I'm sorry for what I've done but there's no need for this.” the girl said. I recognize that voice...that's the voice of Sunset Shimmer! She was the queen of this school until a group of girls stood up to her and took her down a notch. Yes, Sunset, was the most popular girl in school but she got her position using lies, gossip, and her lackeys. She knew everything about everyone and she would blackmail people with their dirty little secrets to get what she wanted. Hardly anybody knew about this and everybody loved her. The guys wanted her and the girls wanted to be her. It all worked well till six girls got together and fought back using truth, helpfulness, and harmony. Basically treating people like human beings and using friendship. Sounds stupid and corny, but it worked. Oh! Did I mention they used a giant rainbow laser? Everyone saw her for who she really was and they dropped her like a hot rock. Her popularity sank faster than the Titanic. She's had nobody since, except for the six girls. They've forgiven her and gave her a second chance. They've been her only friends since that incident about a month ago. From what I can tell, it was a very humbling experience for her. She's become nicer to people, but nobody else has given a second chance. These three guys just support my case. “What are we gonna do to her boss?” The shortest one said looking to the tallest one. “I got an idea.” The third fat one said while cracking his knuckles. “I like your thinking, Knuckle.” The tallest one said with a smile. This is where it ends. Sunset pushes herself against the lockers as the boss boy pulls his right arm back for a punch. I pull out a heavy math book from my backpack and charge at the dude. When he gets close enough I grab his arm, turn him around and hit him in the face with the book. He staggers back a bit with his left hand holding his face. When he regains composure he glares daggers at me with his fist shaking with anger. “DID YOU JUST HIT ME!?” He yelled. “Nope, just gave you an aggressive 'hello'.” I reply. I position myself in front of the lockers. “Now you're dead!” He throws a fist at my face but I dodge to the left and he hits his knuckle on the lockers. I can hear the crack from his hand and I can see the dent in the lockers. It's pretty big dent, too. “OW!” He falls to his knees softly griping his broken hand. “You want to keep doing this or are you done?” I ask. “This isn't over. Come on!” he gets up and runs away with his two dimwitted buddies close behind. I put my book back in my bag. I look down at Sunset who is now sitting on the floor with her back on the lockers. “You alright?” I ask. “Yeah. Thanks.” She said halfheartedly while looking down. “You may be physically, but are you emotionally?” I put my bag back on my back. She looked up at me with with teary eyes. Her hair was a little messy and some strand of her crimson red hair feel down in front of her face. Why did she have to look so cute? She obviously wasn't well. I sigh and take my backpack off and slide down next to her. “You wanna talk about it?” I look to her. “What's there to tell. Everybody in this school knows the story. I came here, used hurtful ways to get to the top, my reign of terror ended and now everybody hates me. They want to either kill me, beat me up, or humiliate me so bad that I end up killing myself. The sad thing is, I don't think it's wrong of them to do that. I don't blame them for wanting me gone. I ruined relationships, friendships, and even family ties. All so I could feel power.” She was saying this with tears running down her face. She honestly feels sorry for what she's done. “I've received death threats, people want nothing to do with me, even the teachers have it out for me. I guess they were right. When I'm done the only kingdom I'll see is two feet wide and six feet deep.” She finished her tale of woe with her heart broken. I could feel a similar feeling within my chest. She wrapped her arms around her legs and planted her face in them. “What about those six girls? They seem to like you.” I said. I didn't think it would do much, but I felt I needed to say something. She looked back up at me. “I can't seem to open up about this to them. I had caused them pain, too. Plus, they wouldn't understand it. They don't understand fearing for your life every day. Waking up hoping it will be better, but only to be crushed when reality sets in and you know it's not. The constant regret holding you back and making you feel heavy. And it won't be lifted because no one will forgive you for what you've done. I don't even know why I'm telling you this.” She wiped her eyes of the tears, but to no avail. More just kept coming down. I grab her hand and I look her dead in the eyes. “Hey! Don't talk like that. You are worth more than you think. You are a better person now and your past doesn't define who you are now. And you know what? I forgive you.” She looks at me with a shocked expression. “Why? After all I've done, even to you? Why do you still forgive me? I don't deserve it!” “Yes, you do. Everyone deserves a second chance. No matter what they've done. Even if it was filling my entire locker with kitty litter and cat crap. Don't feel bad about, I can laugh at it now. ” I chuckle at the memory. “I don't understand?” She said. “You don't have to. Sometimes the best things come from the things we don't understand.” “Thank you.” She gives me a smile, not a fake one, but a genuine one. I stand up and offer her my hand, “Come on.” She reluctantly takes it and I pull her up. I pull out a tissue from my bag and wipe off some of the running makeup on her face. She blushes at the action and pulls some hair behind her ear. I offer her a small pack of tissues while smiling at her, to which she takes. I pick up her bag and give it back to her. “I expect to see you again in the front of the school tomorrow at 7:00.” I said to her. “Why?” She asked puzzled. “Because you and I wouldn't have anyone to talk to. I want to be your friend. I want to be there for you. And don't you say 'no' because I got my heart set on it, got it?” she nodded. “Good. I'll see you tomorrow, Sunset.” I turn around and start leaving. “Wait!” She yelled. I turn around to face her once more. She comes jogging up to me. “I never got your name?” She asked me. “It's Vesper ” I said with a smile. “Vesper...I like it. Well, it's nice to meet you, Vesper. And thank you.” she said with a smile. She hugged me suddenly, not knowing what to do, I wrap my arms around her. “You're welcome. See you tomorrow.” We let go of each other and went our separate ways. I look down at my my phone and it says 7:10 AM. I put my phone back in my pocket. Where is she? She should be here by now. Man, it's cold! I look around the front of the school and the snow is falling down like you wouldn't believe! The grass is covered in the small, white, crystalline substance. The sidewalk and walkways aren't much better. The only way to tell what's concrete and what's grass is the dip where grass meets rock. The roads should be fine, the snow plow trucks cleared the streets. I rub my gloved hands together and jump up and down to get some warmth back. I guess she's not coming then. I turn around and start walking inside till I hear, “Wait!” I turn around to see Sunset running up towards me with a smile on her face. I can't help but smile knowing that she feels some sort of happiness. “I was getting worried you wouldn't show up.” I notice the nice black leather jacket she's wearing and the warm looking boots. “Yeah, sorry about that. My Mom was in the shower longer than expected. You look cold” She said. I guess my shivering was pretty noticeable. I probably should have gotten coat rather than the hoodie. “At least you're here now. Also, I am cold so let's go inside.” I turn to go back into the school. Sunset shivers a little. She blows on her uncovered hands to get some warmth into them. “Are your hands cold?” I asked. “Yeah. My jacket doesn't have pockets.” she said. “Hold on.” I take off my red gloves and give them to her. “Put them on.” I said. She slips the gloves on and I can tell from her smile that she feels better. “Thank you.” She said while blushing a bit. The moment we enter the school she is met with dirty looks and hateful comments. Some were even about me. “Who does she think she is, Walking in here?” I girl with black hair said. “That guy is a real moron for being with her.” I jock said to his friends. “Oh, my God. The weirdo and the outcast, they make a perfectly disgusting couple.” A..nerd said? What? They're usually the nice ones! There were more whispers and conversations about us and it was getting to Sunset. She looked down in remorse. I look at her and I hold her hand and look at her. “Hey, don't listen to them. You've moved on from your past. You're the one who has changed, they haven't. And if they can't see you for who you are now then they're the ones who need an attitude change. They're the ones in the wrong, not you. And I promise you that everything will get better form here on out.” She smiles at me with that genuine smile again. Seeing that smile just brings one to my face. “You should smile more often. You look good with that smile.” I said. For the rest of the day I hardly left her side, whether it be at class or at lunch. We were in almost every single class together. I caught myself staring at her a lot during class and I didn't care about the looks I was getting for being around her. I enjoy her company. In most of our classes we sat in the seats near the windows. I always sat behind her which I liked sometimes. It had stopped snowing and the sun showed it's radiant face for all to see. I caught her looking outside a few times and the sun reflected beautify off her face and hair. The sun made her hair look like the color of the sky in the evening and her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky. I felt dumbstruck just by looking at her. She made my heart flutter and I felt like I could soar when I am around her. I've felt this way about her for awhile. I've had a crush on her for three years, but I could never talk to her. Thinking back on it it would seem that it wouldn't have ended well for me, but now, I feel grateful that I can talk to her without any fear. I feel like I'm on cloud 9 because she actually wants to spend time with me, ME?! I don't know if she likes me back or not, but right now it doesn't matter. I get to be there with her and right now that's all I want. The bell rang ending school for the day. We gathered all of our books and we walked out of the class room. I walk over to Ashley. “I need to get my bag. Meet me by the front door?” I asked. She smiled at me, “Why don't we meet half way?” I smiled back. “Even better.” I sand. We leave the room and I go left and she goes right. I get to my locker and grab my bag, but my locker door is slammed shut. I look to my right to find the three bullies from yesterday. “Remember me?” the tallest one asked. I looked down to see his right hand all wrapped up in bandages. I chuckle at the sight. “I couldn't forget your ugly mug. How's the hand?” I chuckled. “You'll pay for what you did yesterday.” he said. “By the looks of it your Parents payed for it. How much was the medical bill?” The one called Knuckle grabbed my arms and held me right in front of the ringleader. “I'm gonna make it look like you got crushed by a meat grinder!” He reeled his left arm back. I close my eyes and wait for pain only to hear, “OW!” I open my eyes only to see The thug's face all contorted. I look down and see a black boot in between his legs. He falls to the side to reveal Sunset from behind. “You alright?” She asked me. “Yep, thanks.” Sunset looked at Knuclke with anger and he let go of me instantly. “Let's go.” She offered her hand to me to hold, which I accepted. “How did you know I was in trouble?” I asked. “I got the feeling that something was wrong.” “Thanks again.” We walked outside of the school where we stopped in front of the street. She looked up at me and smiled. “I just want to thank you again for being there yesterday. I know it was a low point for and I appreciate you being the one to pick me up. I think with your help people can finally see the new me and will give me a chance.” She said. “I know you will do better from now on. And when the day finally comes to show the world what your made of, well, I hope I'm there...catching some of the light off of you.” She hugs me with tears in her eyes. Not tears of pain or sorrow, but happiness and comfort. We let go and she leans up and kisses me. I feel surprised, but I embrace it none the less. We part, to my dismay. “I'll see you tomorrow.” she said pulling some hair behind her ear. “I look forward to it.” I said. She turned around and started walking home. She turns back and waves goodbye to me. I wave back, still standing in that spot. I turn around to head home with hope and happiness for what's to come for the future.