Hell At High School

Hell at High School

     We had to make the deadline. Otherwise I'd look like the one who chickened out again. I can't—not this time--unless I stay home sick, of course. My best friend, Deb, made desperate attempts to talk me out of racing against Linda Roder, but I didn't listen to her and impulsively accepted the after-school challenge. Regardless, Deb said she'd be there as my cheering squad. At least someone will support me. The rest of the school would be voting for Linda.  They‘d be too scared to do anything else.

     Since Kindergarten Deb and my insecurities brought us together. She was self conscious about her well above average height, and I had coarse, dark hair on my legs and thick, bushy eyebrows.  Horror stories for first year high school teens. Linda was the opposite; blonde, slim, and had tanned legs that seemed to stretch all the way to her armpits.

     I remember Linda's tormenting tone when she said, 'Friday’s the cut off day, no more hold ups. Maybe you can cut off some of those caterpillar eyebrows and shave your legs while you're at it; might make you run faster.'  Her whole group laughed and walked away. That's why she called me 'Caterpillar' every time she spoke to me and I'd get 'Hairy Legs' from the boys that tailed after Linda like dogs in heat.

     If Deb had been there for the same lessons, high school might have been bearable. Being in a different stream at school, we had very different subjects, except for sport. All the classes had sport at the same time. There were more physical education teachers than any other, it seemed; perhaps because it was our school’s major focus. Kimberly Jefferson High School was a prize-winning contender in inter-school athletics and sports every year. There were glass cabinets everywhere with trophies and shields from local and interstate competitions.

      I was so sick of Linda's smug expression every time she beat me-the school sprinting champ--a straight 'A' student; but became nasty whenever she lost. I was fast, but she always pipped me at the post.  She didn't seem to be lacking confidence, in fact she came across as cocky to some degree. Deep down I think she's a sad person and all that bravado is an act. Whatever the reason, she is still a nasty person and I'm her target for some reason.

     Today was race day. I woke to the alarm and looked out the window. The weather matched my somber mood. Fog had settled over the land like a wooly white blanket. Normally, this would excite my senses. I loved autumn, the crisp cold mornings, the golden, orange and red-leaved trees that framed my street. A picture perfect start to any day; except that I had to go to school and face her! Nausea gripped my stomach and I felt an overwhelming desire to vomit. I can't face this or her. How can I get out of it this time? I sat bolt upright when Mum's voice interrupted my thoughts.

    "Kelly, up and at ‘em, or you'll be late for school, and I'll be late for work."

     "Mum, I feel really sick; can I stay home today, please? I'll do the ironing for you?"

     "This is the third day this week you've claimed to be sick. I haven't time for this. If you’re so sick, how can you iron?" Mum rolled her eyes. "Get a move on or you'll have to catch the bus to school."

     No! I can't catch the bus; 'she' catches that bus. "Okay, okay, but I really do feel sick, you'll see. I'll throw up at school and you'll have to leave work to get me, anyway."

     Mum shook her head. "Breakfast's on the table, just hurry up!"

     "I'm not hungry!" I dragged myself out of bed, dressed in my cream and maroon uniform, put my hair in a ponytail, washed my face, and cleaned my teeth. Looking at myself in the mirror, I traced a finger over the dark rings under my eyes. Sheesh! I look like about forty, not fourteen. My eyebrows, or should I say, 'eyebrow', accentuated these shadows. I'm sure I am a throwback from the Neanderthals.

     I felt inside my zip pocket and pulled out my laminated timetable. The soft yellow transparent colour showed my subjects and the orange highlighted areas were Linda's. I would have loved to do history and geography but she--my eyes widened. Oh no; it's Friday! After lunch we all have sport.

     A wave of dread engulfed me and a tight knot formed in my stomach. I couldn't breathe. I shook my hands and took some deep breaths, trying desperately to calm myself.

     "Kelly, Let's go. Don't forget your sports bag."

     After recovering, I cleared my throat. "Mum, could you at least write a note in my diary? I really don't feel well enough to do sport today. I'm telling the truth, I do feel sick."

     "Working out will help you feel better, sweat out whatever germs you might’ve picked up, if there are any." Mum raised her eyebrow.

     Driving to school, my arms hugged my sides as I stared out of the window. I don't want to see her before the race. I have to avoid her at all costs, no matter what. I pulled my socks up as high as they'd go and wrenched my skirt down to cover my legs, but it rode back up the minute I let go. I wish we were allowed to wear our sport's gear all day, at least then I could cover these legs.

     I looked down at my dark hairy legs. "I hate that you won't let me shave my legs and pluck my eyebrows, Mum! Every other girl does at school."

     "Where did that come from? How many times must I tell you, the minute you start shaving the hair on your legs, they’ll grow back thicker and darker every time and you'll be doing it forever. I should know; that’s exactly what happened to me. As for your eyebrows, they give you character. Stop being so sensitive."

     "Shaving wasn't normal when you grew up. You just don't get it, do you?"

     "Sounds like somebody got up on the grumpy side of the bed today," Mum said in a mocking tone.

      You have no idea what I go through at school. Why won't you listen? I'll never forgive you for this! I was at the butt-end of so many jokes from boys and girls at school, and the target for Linda's bullying.

     Lost in thought, I looked up wide-eyed when I heard the motor turn off. We had arrived at the school gate. Shit! Are we here already?

     "Here we are. Now off you go, Kelly; try to have a good day. Remember your practice after school. I'll be there to pick you and Deb up at 4.30."

     That's what I’d told Mum we were doing after school. "Yeah, right." Easy for you to say. I rolled my backpack onto my shoulders and grabbed my sports' bag, slamming the car door behind me.

     Mum wound the window down. "What, no kiss?"

     I glanced back and gave her a dark look as I walked away.

     "Kels. Hi! How is my favourite friend today?" Deb's bubbly voice greeted me.

     "Hi, Deb," I said without looking up.

     She put her arm around my shoulder. "Okay, what's wrong?"

      I looked at her and raised my eyebrows.

     "Oh...I forgot; it's the big race today?"

     I shrugged her arm off my shoulder. "Yes, and I’ll go down in a screaming heap—everyone will laugh and—"

     "You sure will, thinking like that!"

     I jerked my head up and frowned, my thick eyebrows joining over my amber eyes.

     "Well, you said it, not me." Like me, Deb was dark with brown eyes, but although she didn't shave, her tanned legs had finer hair and wasn't noticeable like mine.  She swam almost every day, too, so the chlorine bleached them. Mine were not only dark but coarse as well.

      "I know, but did you have to agree so quickly?"

     "What did you expect me to say, Kels? Poor little you; you've got no chance. I think you can beat Linda. You're the one who has to believe it not me."

     "I haven't been able to yet. She just overtakes me at the end every time."

     "Exactly. You said the magic word. If she's just beating you each time, it's not going to take much to push that little bit further."

     "Hey, Hairy Legs, you ready for the big defeat this arvo?" one of the boys in my home class yelled across the yard.

     I turned my head away, lowered my eyes and kept walking, tugging at my skirt.

     "Can't wait. We'll all be there to watch you, Loser," one of the others chimed in making an 'L' shape on his forehead.

     "Ignore them, Kels; they're immature jerks and not worth the time of day."

     All day, I couldn't focus through any of my lessons. Deb met me at recess and I was a wreck.

     "Kels, if you’re that worried, why don't you go to the sick room during sport. You can say you're nauseous, or have your monthly's and—"

     “Sure, like a hundred others that do the same to get out of sport lessons. I'll just have to ignore Linda right through the double lesson. Anyhow, I will throw up at the sight of her, most likely and then I can genuinely bow out of sports."

     Deb laughed and I forced a chuckle. "Anyway, her friends will give me heaps after school if I don't turn up in sport. I don't need that with everything else going on."

     "Huh! She has no friends, just followers, really," Deb added.

     "True, but they still give me a hard time."

     I managed to avoid Linda right up until our Physical Education teacher insisted that she and I race the 200 metre course. "You two girls will most likely represent our school in the Athletics Cross-school competition, so you need to practise," Miss Tunsell said.

     My heart jumped into my mouth, I broke out in a sweat when I saw the smirk on Linda's face. I'd like to slap that smug look off her face. What do I do? Say I'm unwell or suffer the sneers and contempt from everyone when she beats me again.

     I felt a nudge in my back. I turned and saw Deb. "You'd better go or you'll be in detention, you know what 'Tough Tunsell's' like. Don't worry; look at it as a warm up for after school."

     Walking across to the clearly marked track, I blocked out the hurtful teasing. I raced Linda and once again, she beat me at the finish line as always. This time, however, I finished closer. Regardless, I walked away with my head down.

     The cheering for Linda thundered in my ears, and the distant hateful name-calling, along with derisive laughing, took over. I didn't even hear the teacher trying to quiet everyone, not that it would have made any difference to how I felt at that very moment.

     I didn't speak to anyone for the rest of the day.

      Deb met me at my home class door. I looked up and even her presence couldn't sway my mood.

     I leant against the wooden doorjamb and broke out in a sweat. "I can't do this, Deb."

     "Then don't. Let's go home. Come on, we'll catch the bus." Deb dragged my arm towards her.

     "What are you doing?" I pulled my arm out of her grip. "You know I can't back out now."

     "Then get over there and beat the hell out of her. She'll probably cheat anyway."

     "No she won't. She doesn't think she needs to; she knows she'll beat me. "I know what you're trying to do, Deb."

     "Well? Make a choice and get on with it then."

     We walked in silence toward the track. As we neared I saw crowds of kids lining each side. Does the whole damn school know about this? I recognised some who I knew hated Linda's smart-arse attitude. Linda had an athletic build and was reasonably attractive to the less-savoury boys at school.

     Those who didn't like her and were fearless enough to face her, called her horse-face, which was appropriate.  She had a big mouth full of teeth that resembled a horse's. Her long, thin blonde hair fell like a mane and she snorted when she laughed.

     I was stockier in build with muscular legs, but always wished to be taller and slimmer. Most of us teens were never happy with the way we looked.

      Deb squeezed my hand as we passed the jeers and taunts; then she moved to the finish line and I joined Linda at the starting point.

     "Well, this is it, Caterpillar, hope you're prepared for the inevitable." Linda smirked.

     A burst of anger overcame me and I yelled back. "We'll see, Horse-Face!"

     Linda's expression changed and she flushed bright red. Whether it be from anger or embarrassment I couldn't tell, but for a fleeting moment I saw her falter.

     Just then, Miss Tunsell came out from the sport's shed and saw the crowd. "What’s going on here?"

     One of Linda's fans piped up and covered, saying we were practising their racing for the 100-metre sprint, which was what we'd agreed to say if we were to get caught.

     "In that case, I'll stay and watch for the time to declare the winner. I do not want things to get out of hand without supervision."

     At least she's here. With no supervision who knows how far this mob would go? We stretched in preparation for the run and squatted into the starting position. Miss Tunsell blew the whistle she always wore around her neck, and we were off.

      I sprang out to a good start. My legs pumped as fast as my arms. I glanced over to Linda--we're level. A glimmer of hope pulsed through me along with an adrenalin rush, and I propelled myself forward, not looking over her way again. For a moment, everything went silent and I felt completely alone as I flew past the blur of maroon and crossed the finish line. The roar of the kids exploded in my head. What's happened? I've lost again, I bet?

     I froze.

     I looked up briefly to see a large group of kids running toward me. The onslaught knocked me backwards. All I could hear was—“you beat her”—“you won against horse-face”—“you’re the best.”  A flurry of slaps on the back and kids shaking me, knocked me around.

     Miss Tunsell came up to me. "Well, Kelly that was the best run I've ever seen you do. You realise, you've beaten the school record and your personal best. That was the same run-time of some Olympians. The slower times, admittedly, but with training you could be an Olympic sprinter, young lady. Well, I'm off home now. I’d like to discuss this with your parents some time, if I may."

     My eyes opened wide when she said that. The crowd of kids dispersed, and some shouted abuse at Linda as they walked past; others gave her a kick as they walked by her.

      Then I saw Deb smiling at me.  She ran over and hugged me. "Told you! Knew you could do it."

     "Thanks, Deb." Looking over, I saw Linda sitting on the ground at the end of the track.
Nobody was around her. She had her arms cradled around her head, which rested on one bent-up knee. Her hair flopped over her forearms, hiding her face. She looks like she's crying. "I sort of feel sorry for her now, Deb."

     "That's because you're too nice for your own good. Come on, let's go home." Deb linked arms with me and we walked to where Mum said she'd meet us.

     I looked back a few times and Linda hadn't moved.

     Over the next few weeks Linda avoided me, but we bumped into one another in the corridor one day and her face burned when she saw me. She slammed her locker closed and began to walk away hastily.

     "Linda? Wait up; I want to talk to you."

     "Why?" she retorted without turning around.

     "It was just a race. Come on we’re the two fastest girls in the school—the best. That's something special, don't you think?"

     "I s'pose but now I'm not the fastest."

     "So what? We’re better than anyone else and are sure to win the school another trophy. Forget about everything in the past."

    From that day on, Linda began talking to me in a civil manner. After a few weeks, she grew more chummy. Whether she saw me as an equal or was surprised I'd even talk to her now everyone else had abandoned her, I don't know. But in our remaining high school years, anyone, boys or girls, who said anything against me, would have to deal with her wrath. She stuck up for me like a faithful hound.

     Eventually we lost touch but I often wondered what she must have gone through to make her act that way. Maybe her parents put her under pressure to be the best--or punished her if she got below an A or didn't come first in every race? At least she was being civil, and I was more relaxed about going to school.