I sighed heavily as I descended down the stairs. Another long school-day finally complete.

"Just four more to go..." I mused emotionlessly. Mondays suck.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed the thick black strap of my bag and yanked back hard. I felt the air whoosh out of my chest as I landed hard against the wall.

"Do you have to pull so hard?" I hissed, rubbing my shoulders where the straps had cut in. Gaby shrugged and gave me a tight squeeze. "What can I say? Annoying you is funny as hell." she stated.

"Hey...be nice..." Carrie's soft quiet voice cut in as she poked both our shoulders. Gaby only squeezed harder at this and laughed as I pitifully tugged at her arms, demanding that she release my small frame.

"Get off me you mofo! I'm choking to death here!" I gasped, faking suffocation. "I...(hack) can't (wheeze) breathe!"

Gaby rolled her chocolate colored eyes and let go of me. I dramatically collasped to the floor and heaved a few heavy breaths.

"Air! Air! Oh glorio-"

"Oh quit being such a 'Drama Jew'." Gaby hissed, heaving me to my feet. I gave a pretend grunt and snapped "Well I do declare! I should have won an Oscar for that!"

I swept into a low and graceful bow. "Thank you; thank you ver' much."

"Ok enough, enough...I'm gonna miss my bus if you....'de-tain' me any longer." Gaby explained, stretching out the verb carefully. Carrie nodded, hearing a few short beeps of a familiar car horn mix in with the backround noise.

"Aw guys! My bus doesn't come for another ten minutes or so!" I whined childishly. Gaby smiled and hugged both me and Carrie. "Sorry, chica. I'll call you guys later; is that ok?"

I nodded, watching my two new friends each walked their own separate way: Carrie to her mother's mini-van and Gaby to the nearby bus station.

'Oh well...'

I exhaled smoothly and unzipped the smallest pocket on my backpack, pulling out my ipod and midnight black sunglasses. I was about to lower the shades onto the bridge of my nose, but I paused, looking towards the sky.

It wasn't really that sunny out...I'd probably look like an idiot in sunglasses on a cloudy day.

I propped them on the top of my head instead and shrugged, zipping the pocket closed before I pushed the ear-pieces into the soft fleshy shell of my ear.

I quickly flipped through my list of songs and stopped, pressing the play button. Music blared through my eardrums as I turned the street-corner; the City-court house deadahead.

I yawned and took my usual spot, leaning against the concrete wall with my music bumpin'.

A few people exiting and entering the building stared at me, as if expecting me to set fire to the entire street at any moment before either crossing the street or moving past me.

I suddenly felt naked without my shades on; for this had been the first non-sunny day in a while, and I had grown used to being able to hide behind those shiny black lenses.

I quickly ripped them off my head and replaced them over my eyes, feeling comfortable once more.

I exhaled, checking the time on my cell-phone.

'Eight minutes and counting...'

"Hey, do you have a lighter on you?"

I looked up and sighed. That was the tenth time someone asked me that since the school-year started.

I remember I looked at myself in the mirror for over four hours the first time I was asked to determine whether or not I looked like a smoker.

"Sorry...I don't smoke." I kindly told the man, who was rummaging through his bag. He pulled out a red stick-like object and smiled.

"Forget it. I found mine." he stated, oblvious to my reply. I smiled weakly as he lit his cigarette and proudly marched off as if mentally congratulating himself on finding his much needed item.

I shook my head and turned back towards the street.

Ah...how I loved my shades...one could feel so safe and protected by them...away from the wandering eyes of others. No eye contact ever needs to be made between myself and the people of the world. I just sit back and stare, looking over everyone that passes, trying to figure out their life history just through a single glance.

A young girl passed by with her mother; they were holding hands. She looked up at me and I smiled, waving at the sweet little innocent thing before me.

She smiled back and returned the wave.

Her mother looked me over and was not pleased by my rough teenage appearance. She swiftly pulled her daughter closer to her side, crossing the street with just as much speed; glaring at me all the way.

Sadly, I get that a lot too.

It seems so sad...that this world has become so dangerous, so bloody, that parents believe that everyone who even glances at their child is out for easy prey.

'Oh well...'

Suddenly, a woman walked up to me, a frantic worried look crossing her face.

"Excuse me....do you have a cell-phone and if yes, can I borrow it? I need to call my husband." she inquired shakily. I nodded and pulled out my phone.

Most people might think I'm nuts, lending my cell-phone to a complete stranger who could 'whisk it away' in an instant and leave me cell-phoneless and awaiting a stern lecture from my parents later on at home about 'responsiblity with one's possessions'.

But sometimes...I believe I've earned the right to be stupid and trusting.

"What!? No! You were supposed to take the right turn off." I heard the woman hiss into the reciever. "...uhh huh...yeah....then just head straight down the street...alright...I'll see you at the hotel, honey...bye."

And with a click, she hung up and handed me back my phone.
"Thank you." she told me graciously with a smile. I nodded and returned the gesture, watching as she crossed the street and walked out of sight.

I had had many people request the use of my phone and everytime I would always answer 'yes'

Hell, why not? It's not like we had pay-phones around here. Besides...I hardly ever use the damn thing, why not lend it to someone who needs it for a few quick minutes?

"Hey miss...you getting on today?"

I looked up to see my regular bus-driver, opening the door for me. I nodded and stepped onto the platform, carefully making my way up the stairs.

I took one glance around the bus and raised my shades in surprise.
"Only me this time?" I inquired. The driver nodded and stated "It's a slow day today...must be this weather...most people are staying inside on a day like this."

I chuckled as I took my seat. "I wish I could." He revved up the engine and started down the street.

A few seconds passed in silence before he spoke up again. "So...do you work at the Court-house? I mean, you're always there every week-day at 3:45." he inquired casually. I blinked. Work? At the Court-house?

I blushed, shaking my head as I answered "Ermmm no...You see, I'm just a Freshman...from the school down the block."

He nodded slowly, understanding and asked "How's the year been so far for you?"

I shrugged. "Better than what I was coming from. I'm also getting the chance to get back to my city roots."

"Which city did you live in before?"

I smiled. "I lived in New York actually. Well...I lived close to the Manhattan...not in the suburbs, but outside of the hustle and bustle of the main city."

"Ah...the big apple." he stated. I nodded and smiled. "Best place in the world if you ask me...but sadly all my relatives live back east...and I'd rather keep far away from them...if you know what I mean."

He chortled at that and said "Oh yes...I do indeed."

My ride came sharply to a stop as I pulled the yellow string that ran a few inches above my head. I sat up as he quickly opened the doors.

"Thanks for the ride!" I called as he started to close the double doors behind me.

Soon, I could no longer see or hear the bus and was left in completely and utter silence, outside of the blaring lyrics to Linkin Park's 'Faint'.

I started to whistle as I made a turn around the dumpster and yanked open the backdoor. I entered a brightly lit hallway with eight black doors. I quickly marched over to the last one on the left and pulled it open, lowering the sound of my music as well.
I was greeted by a few of the other women working in the room before I started towards my mom's office. The door was open, as usual, and I quietly entered the room before I plopped down onto one of the plush chairs next to the wall.

My mother offered me a smile as she stacked a few papers and clicked her computer mouse a couple of times. She turned back to me and inquired "How was today?", devoting her entire attention to my next statement.

I shrugged.

"Same old same old..."