I fixed my crooked glasses and tugged my hoodie over my head to hide myself from the world as I walked up the stairs, into school. I know it's stupid to pretend I can disappear into the background and hope that today would be different, that it would be semi-better than any other considering it's my last day but a girl can dream.

Of course, there were stares. If someone were to ask why, I would tell them I have no fucking idea. It could be because I'm quiet and I tolerate a lot of shit thrown at me, which makes me an easy target for those still lacking the understanding that humans have feelings.

A lot of the students in my school tend to give me looks, just for being quiet despite the fact I'm only social around my best friend, Amanda. And that's because I trust her, others in my past have pretended to be my friends out of 'sympathy' when I was fine with being alone, I'm not a social person. There's only really one person, out of the whole lot, that I wish I could tell off, put them in their place and that's Jack Reece.

I despise him though I try not to let him get to me since I'd like not to have him constantly on my mind because then that would give him satisfaction and boost his already inflated ego. He tends to 'pick on me' in simpler terms the most, making sure I don't forget that he likes to intimidate me just because he can.

Our principal does shit about stuff like this, he shrugs it off and turns his head the other way or just says, 'don't say bad things to one another'. As if that line will magically make people be less horrible.

"I'm here! I'm not late! I promise I didn't sleep in and run here!" I heard the familiar voice of my best friend echo through the hallways. I winced when more eyes were directed towards me. Amanda immediately threw her arms around me, hugging me close tightly.

"Ah, hi," I awkwardly greeted. "You good?"

"No! You are going to be leaving me after today! Why can't you pack me into one of your giant suitcases or in a box with some food and water and like a phone or some shit," Amanda whined dramatically making me laugh.

Amanda had actually genuinely asked me about a week ago when she slept over if she could be packed inside my suitcase and then proceeded to get into my unpacked one in my room to show me that she could fit inside with no problem.

"Because I told you before and I'll tell you again, I'm pretty sure I would get into some legal trouble trying to smuggle a full-grown person out of the state," I said slowly. Amanda stepped back, pouted and crossed her arms stubbornly.

"I can easily argue my way out," she argued. I rolled my eyes.

"Sure you can," I muttered sarcastically.

"Well, well, if it isn't the shrinking violet." I winced at the familiar voice that has tormented me for years. Fucking Jack Reece.

I hate that nickname, 'shrinking violet' and the sad thing is, it was something he learnt from English. I'm being called something that the school taught him to say and taught him the meaning of, how lovely and ironic. My god my luck is absolutely horrible, I need to hunt for those...was it a four-leaf clover? Yeah, I think that's it.

"Well, well, if it isn't the guy that doesn't know when to fuck off after being told to stay away," Amanda retorted for me since I stood frozen in front of her, not wanting to turn around and face him. I wonder if it's too late to run or hide or both. I hate confrontation yet I so much want to confront him for everything he has done.

"Defending her as always since I'm guessing Amy doesn't know how to speak for herself," he said with such a cocky tone. I hated it. I hated it so much. His voice alone annoys me, it irritates me to such a high extent. Amanda gave him the finger with an intimidating stare that probably wasn't intimidating to him.

"She can defend herself, she just chooses not to," she argued. It wasn't helping my case by speaking for me even though if she let me say something, I still wouldn't utter a word.

"Oh really?" He sounded amused now. "Then why don't you say something? Or are you going to be weak?" Jack whispered close to my ear sending shivers down my spine and not in a good way. It finally snapped something in me to jump away from him and turn around to witness the smug smirk across his lips.

"Wipe that smug smirk off your face before I do it for you asshole," Amanda hissed, raising her fists. Jack threw his head back and laughed as if it were a hilarious joke. I grabbed Amanda's arm before she could step forward and do something she'd regret.

"Don't," I whispered. She glanced at me then at Jack with resentment and disdain.

"You got lucky today bitch," she sneered. Amanda then grabbed my hand and dragged me away from where we were by our lockers. She was grumbling under her breath curses directed at Jack.

This always happens if he decides to come pick on me when Amanda is around. She gets so heated that she takes about an hour before calms down and her anger towards him simmers. That's when I don't have to worry about her doing anything drastic like getting herself expelled for starting a fight and possibly getting injured for trying to fight someone who has had boxing experience compared to Amanda with experience of fighting from watching action movies.

One thing good I will say is that I believe Jack wouldn't fight her, he has not started a fight and Amanda will not be the one to break that. Amanda does this because she cares more than anyone in this school. That and she's seen me through times where I have cried because I've either felt completely alone despite Amanda being one of my greatest friends or because Jack has gotten to me. He has said things to purposely provoke me and try and get some sort of reaction out of me. I hate feeling weak and I hate that he has an effect on me.

I've always dressed to hide from people so that I would blend into the background of the school. If I could, I would branch out and try other clothing but then fear would consume me and I end up not buying what I really want. I'd rather be hidden than be seen in bright colours that even from across the country you can see me. If only I could be camouflaged instead but that's not going to happen, unfortunately.

"I wonder where John is in all of this?" Amanda wondered bitterly.

John was Jack's friend, or best friend I guess. What Amanda is not aware of is that I'm friends with him. He has also been someone who has been there for me when I'm upset and want to cry into a bucket. He helped keep Jack away from me a lot of the time, which I appreciated every time he did. Amanda doesn't know a lot of this mainly because she has her own perception of him and John won't let me tell her the truth.

"Who knows," I shrugged. I wanted to say goodbye to him before the day's end but I haven't seen him so far.

"Whatever, let's go to class," Amanda mumbled after the bell rang.

Amanda and I headed off to our English class first even though throughout the class, I was writing in my music notebook. Usually, I would be writing notes down but because it's my last day, I'm not bothered to put in the effort. Plus the teacher was just rambling about Shakespeare as if we haven't learned it for multiple years in a row. We've watched the movies, yes, not just one, but like two or three. At least the modern version had Leonardo DiCaprio in it.

The rest of the day rushed by fast, and soon the day had ended and I hadn't seen John yet. Damn him, he didn't give me any contact details of his since he had no phone currently. Of course, he had to break it because he got grounded after sneaking out in the middle of the night. We couldn't even meet up after school at our spot, Mayflower Lake. It would have been nice to say goodbye in person but unfortunately, that's not possible. 

"Hey! Shrinking violet!" the deep voice of my tormenter called out from behind me, across the hall. I cursed under my breath.

I was going to meet Amanda out front since we had different classes last period. We wanted to head to the café called Fresh Roast, near our school, for a drink and to hang out before we would depart and not see each other for who knows how long. I guess I'm taking a bit of a detour now because of course.

"What now? Can't the asshole leave me alone for once," I grumbled bitterly.

"What was that?"

I jumped away from Jack who had suddenly appeared behind me and decided to again whisper in my ear. I hate when he does that, which is quite often since I space out more often than I'd like. I forget that I'm supposed to be aware of my surroundings as if I were some spy or whatever. Sometimes I wish he'd just leave me alone, I don't have the capacity to deal with him every day.

I spun around to attempt to face Jack for the first time since I won't be seeing him again hopefully forever. I was hyping myself up to do something but stopped short when I came face to face with him up to close. He was mere inches away from me, with his breath tickling my skin and a smirk spread across his lips.

I instantly took a step back, my back hitting the lockers as he entrapped me between his arms with his hands pressed against the metal behind me. I glanced around at the empty hallways. When the hell did everyone leave? Am I just having bad luck today?

"Do you want to repeat that princess?" he muttered staring me down. Princess? That's a new one. Oh god, the fact that he's staring me right in the eyes is intimidating. But I still managed to work myself up to hold his stare without backing down.

"Yes I do since you so eagerly want to know, I said 'can't the asshole leave me alone for once', happy?" I snapped.

"What did you call me?"

"You sure ask a lot of questions, is that all you got?"

"You're stepping out of line."

"Is that not what you wanted?"

His face contorted into a scowl and opened his mouth to argue until Amanda's voice echoed through the halls as she ran towards us. From the corner of my eye, I could see her worried expression.

"Amy! Shit, Jack back off!" Amanda snapped, grabbing his shoulders and shoving him away from me.

"Whatever," he grumbled before huffing in annoyance and stomping off.

"What an ass," I glared.

"What was that?" Amanda questioned with a raised brow.

"Me not giving a shit now that I'm leaving for good," I replied with a shrug.

"Well, I'm happy that you stood your ground," she smiled.

I smiled back before hoisting my bag that I dropped when I was startled earlier over my shoulder. I followed Amanda out of the school, towards the café. I'm tempted to get coffee but I don't think I'm in favour of staying up until like 6am in the morning because I'm hyped up on caffeine. Guess I'll have one tomorrow morning instead. We got an iced chocolate each before sitting at the park bench nearby.

"Do you think you'll miss this place?" Amanda asked. I hummed, glancing around. I would miss the familiarity of the city I grew up in. There were positive things about LA that I'll miss and there are negatives, just like any other place.

"Maybe a little bit, I'll miss LA but I don't think I want to ever bump into any of our peers ever in my life," I said, probably sounding a bit dramatic.

"Understandable," Amanda nodded.

We chatted for a bit before deciding to head off once we were done with our drinks. We took the bus to get home considering she lived a few minutes away from mine and it's better for Amanda so she doesn't have to walk alone back home from mine.

As soon as I entered the house, I noticed how bare it looked with only boxes here and there. I had already finished packing luckily, took me a bloody week since I was lazy and it took me way too long to decide what I needed and what I didn't since we weren't bringing everything over to Florida with us.

My parents wanted to start over with new furniture, which is why they had gone over earlier in the month to set the house up with the stuff they bought. My father had gotten a job offer but in Florida, meaning we would all have to relocate. My parents consulted me, my big brother, Max, and Catherine, my five-year-old sister, before agreeing to the offer. The two of them like to refer to our move as a 'new beginning'. I guess it's a nice way to look at it.

"Well aren't you home a little late," Max teased as he walked down the stairs. I rolled my eyes and waved him off as I entered the kitchen, ignoring his comment. I'm not even late; I'm right on time for dinner from the smell of it. My parents decided to buy food since we packed all the kitchenware to cook.

"Amy!" Catherine exclaimed from the dining room table. She was quick to jump out of her chair to run and hug my legs. I chuckled, hugging her back. My mother chuckled as she walked by with four plastic plates for us to share the pizza they bought.

"I see you're finally home, how was your last day of school?" she asked while she set the table.

Max walked past me to sit by my father, eyeing the pizza with wide eyes. He looked like Joey from Friends when he had his head stuck in the door, eyeing the Thanksgiving food when he was locked out of Monica's apartment. I probably shouldn't watch that show but I blame Amanda for showing it to me a few months ago when she decided to sleep over at my place.

"Did the asshole mess with you again?" Max questioned, his eyes narrowed. My mother wacked him upside the head making him flinch and Catherine giggle.

"Language Max, you're little sister is right there," my mother scolded with a glare.

"Well it was either that or di-" Max was cut off when my mother hit him again in the same spot.

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence young man." Max grumbled under his breath before taking a big bite out of his pizza and chewing aggressively. I chuckled silently as I walked over with Catherine to sit next to our mother.

"The answer to your question brother is no, as for how was my last day, it was good," I shrugged.

"That's good," my mother smiled.

My parents know about Jack but only from what I tell them which is the bare minimum. Yes, they know that he likes to bother me every week, not every day though, thank god. They just don't know what he says or other things he does, which is basically taunting, like what he did today when he caged me against the lockers.

Max, however, knows from Amanda because she blabbed the second she had the chance. I don't care nor hold her against it but it was hard trying to get him to agree to not tell our parents about him fully. Luckily, now, I won't ever see Jack again.

The rest of the dinner went by fast. We were mostly discussing what the plan was for when we would head to the airport to leave. That and my parents were quizzing Max to make sure he was ready for college despite him having been enrolled and studying for a few months now.

He has been doing online studying while he did part-time work at the grocery store a couple of minutes away. I have a suspicion he studied from home to check on Catherine and me. But now though he'll get to be on campus since it'll be close by.

After dinner, I went to take a shower before curling up under my blankets, my eyes drooping close. I took one last glance around my now empty room, my packed suitcases sitting in the corner of my room ready for tomorrow.

I'll definitely miss my family home; I've made way too many memories here but at least I'll get to start anew, where I know no one and no one knows me, easier that way to start over. I have no idea what to expect, but I just hope it's all good.