One in the Same

Introduction:

I hate the Hunnicut-Breeding clan and everyone who associates with thim. They're the popularity hogs at school. They're always together: whispering, making people feel bad...namely me. I wouldn't call myself well-liked here at Oakwood High School. To be honest, I'm mostly invisible. No one talks to me or associates with me. The only time people notice me is when they bother me. That's when all eyes notice me.
"Hey, Liz...look at what the cat dragged in," Evonne Hunnicut says when I walk into the classroom.

"What is she wearing?" Liz responds.

I try to ignore them and make my way to the back of the room. I can feel Liz and Evonne watching me, from their seats in the middle of the room. This only makes Dustin Breeding do the same. I look up briefly to see Liz and Evonne look at me in disgust, while Dustin stares at me with a smirk.

"Hey Alyssa," Evonne calls to me.

I keep my head down. I know looking at her will only cause tears to fall.

"Nice shoes...where did you buy them, the swap meet?" she says with a laugh. The entire room rings with laughter.

I breath in deeply praying for immediate invisibility, death even. Instead, the teacher comes in silencing everyone. I go unnoticed again for the most part. Someone takes a seat next to me. I don't look immediately to see who it is, but they're staring at me. I glance over to see that Dustin moved next to me...staring intently. What was his problem? Wasn't there some gorgeous model-type to take his attention off of me?


Chapter 1

The end of the day at come. Other than homework, I didn't have to be bothered with school. But none of my troubles ended there. I had to go home and face my mother and her abusive husband, Ray, who I refuse to call my step-father. Day in and day out, they would argue about trivial things, which turned into huge things. Being the only child was hell. I usually played confidante to my mom. I would tell her to leave him, but each time she would use the lame excuse: "I love him." I hated her for that. How could she allow us, herself, to live in a miserable predictament? I think she enjoys the pain. I pushed the though out of my mind as I walked home.

The popularity gods rushed off in their shiny, over priced cars as they smiled and laughed. I wish I didn't envy them so much. I really had nothing to smile about. I felt a pain in my chest as I mulled over the wreck that I called my life. I walked on slowly as a car pulled up beside me.

"You want a ride?" a male voice asked.

I kept my head down and walked on as if I hadn't heard him. What made him think I would ride with a stranger. He turned his car blocking my way. I looked up to see it was my mom's husband.

"I'm almost home, I'll walk the rest of the way," I said attempting to go around him.

"Don't be a dumbass, get in the car," he said with a chuckle. I looked at him not knowing what to do.

"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you," he said angrily.

Feeling scared and confused, I got in the car with him.

With my luck, the Hunnicut-Breedings were right behind us. I could see them snickering in the rear-view mirror. I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me.

"What's the matter with you?" he asked me.

"Nothing, just a long day at school," I lied.

"Oh," he said driving on.

It was an awkward silence that accompanied us on our journey home. We came to a red light, when Dustin pulled up on the side of us. Like earlier, he was looking in my direction. I felt a little freaked out, but ignored his gaze.

"Oh look, it's Alyssa in her rusty old carriage," I heard one of Dustin's brothers yell out.

I stare down in my lap hoping that the light would turn green. I could hear them laughing. Why did life have to be so rotten for me? I peered over to see everyone laughing, but Dustin. The light had turned and he sped off. I looked over at Ray, who was frowned up mumbling to himself.

"I don't know who those rich brats think they are. They're no better than anyone. Don't you let them get to you," he yelled at me.

I simply nodded to let him know I was listening to him. Once we arrived home. I ran to my room and cried my eyes out. I wished things would change for me. I wish I were prettier, richer, more likeable.

"Alyssa, come eat," my mom shouted. I emerged from my room and sat down at the kitchen table.

"How was school?" she asked setting down a plate of spaghetti in front of me.

"Do you really have to ask?" I mumbled.

"It's still bad? Do you want me to come up and talk to somebody?" she offered.

"Anne, are you out of you're mind? Going up there would give her even more problems. And why the hell are we eating spaghetti again?" Ray asked.

Here we go I thought. I knew an argument would brew out of this one. My mom mumbled an explanation which only added fuel to the fire. Next thing I know they're at it. I go to my room and hide under the covers. But, no matter what I do it doesn't help.