"When you multiple the square root of three and two, then you should get the answer of…"

I started to doze off in the middle of my math class, bored. But at least

None of Lacey's friends where in my class. I had the feeling that Lacey wasn't finished with me yet, after yesterday.

I feel a pencil poke into my back, so I slip my hand on top of the desk behind me. Ian presses a note into my waiting hand, and I bring my hand back through my chair. Leaving the note in my lap, I open it up and read "R U OK? U don't seem like ur normal self" in Ian's pointy handwriting.

"just worried bout lunch. lacey and crew will b there, don't know how it will turn out." I write, and put it on top of his desk.

"u want 2 skip lunch and spend it in the library?"

"no, she'll catch up 2 me sooner or l8r. might as well get it over w/"

"k, if ur sure. love u"

"love u 2"

Ian then took the page of notes, folded it, and stuck it in his backpack. The bell rang, and with a grim smile on my face, I stood up and walked to lunch. I went through the lunch line and got some of the disgusting stuff they call 'food', and say down. Lacey wasted no time.

About one minute after I sat down, she walked over with Julie.

"Just to let you know, what you said yesterday, was so completely untrue, you bitch."

"I thought you called yourself a Christian." I replied, feeling cool, and hoping we could get through this fighting match without the whole lunch room getting involved.

"I AM a Christian," she said. "I wear nice clothes, go to church every Sunday, and don't go around setting curses on other people."

"I've heard that Christians are more than just that. Some of my friends told me that Christians loved everyone, not just those who look normal."

Suddenly, Ryan appeared.

"What's going on here?" he asked.

"Fck off!" An angry Julie told him.

"Don't let Mr. D hear you say that," He replied coolly.

"I'll say whatever I fcking like around him. Your opinion is sht."

"Well, Crystal, welcome to the wonderful world of Christians."

About now, I was so confused. What was Ryan doing? And where was Ian? He had left to go get us drinks a couple minutes ago! What was taking him so long? I could really use a little bit of help there.

"Crystal," Lacey said in an icy voce, "You just better watch you little ass. I'll pay you back for this, mark my words. You have no idea what kind of a lecture I got after church yesterday. You're not going to ruin my life anymore."

And with that, she spun around and walked off. Ryan sat down in Ian's empty seat.

"Sorry about them; they can get a little uptight when someone does something bad to them."

"I didn't do anything bad, she attacked me first. And thanks for the help, but I can fight for myself. Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't rip her head off."

Ian walked up then, and seeing Ryan in his spot, he looked at me with question in his eyes.

"You just missed Lacey."

He cursed, and then asked "So what'd she do?"

"Well…" Ryan started, but I cut him off. What was he doing here, anyways? Why is he hanging out with me, the goth girl, social outcast?

"She just talked all this crap. Nothing big. Ryan was there yesterday, and he thought I might need a little help. He doesn't know me very well," I said, with an embarrassed smile.

"Can I please have my seat and my girlfriend back?" Ian asked, clearly unhappy.

"Uh, sure. In fact, I was just leaving." Ryan got up and left.

Ian sat down, and faced me. He plopped a Diet Coke down in front of me.

"Now really, what was that all about?"

"Lacey was still mad at me after yesterday. Apparently I ruined her perfect image. Ryan also stood up for me yesterday, and I guess he thought I could use some help."

"So nothing's going on with this Ryan guy?"

"Of course not, Ian. You know me better than that. I would never do something as low as that, only Lacey would."

"You're right. Sorry for doubting you."

And for the rest of lunch, we just made small talk, waiting- and hoping that should wouldn't come- for Lacey. She didn't come back, so the rest of my day was uneventful.

At the end of the school day I followed Ian out to the parking lot, where his mom's car was located.

"Crystal, something more is bothering you, more than just Lacey. What is it?"

His face clouded over as he stared into my eyes. I quickly averted my eyes to the ground, opened the passenger door, and got in, ignoring Ian. He gets in the drivers seat, and turns to face me.

"We're not going anywhere until you tell me what's wrong."

"Then I guess we'll be here for awhile." I say, turning to face the window.

Ian starts the car, and pulls out of the parking lot. With tears in my eyes, I face him.

"I don't want to be normal. I don't want to look like those girls everyday, always trying to be what their not. Why can't they accept that I want to be different? Blake and Leonard have been good lately, but it seems that Lacey and all of the preps have taken their place. It hurts me so much, I just can't stand it."

"Crystal, that isn't what's wrong. You've been dealing with this fine for the other three years of high school. It gets on your case, but its not making you this mad."

"My mom called about a month ago. She wanted to meet me. Being as stupid I was, I said yes."

FLASHBACK

A five year old Crystal sat on her mothers lap. Crystal's dad walked in, and started at them.

"What's going on here? I thought you were gone."

Crystal's mom answered in a soft voice. "Can't I at least say goodbye to my own daughter?"

"No. It's your choice to leave. NOW GO!"

Crystal is set on the couch as her mother stands up to face her husband.

"I will leave in my own time. You should be begging me to stay. There's no way you can raise Crystal as a normal child. She's going to be as messed up as you are. Mark my words. She's going to be just as messed up as your sorry ass!"

A small voice breaks through the silence that follows her mom's comment. "Mommy, what's happening?"

"Well…" Her mother began, but was cut off by her father.

"She doesn't love you anymore. She's leaving because you made her mad. She's never coming back, and it's all your fault."

"Robert! Don't tell her that!"

"But it's true," He sneered.

"No! I love you Crystal, I just can't stay."

"Then take me with you Mommy." Crystal said.

"Yes, bitch, take the little bitch with you, please." He said, while pushing her mom's shoulder with one arm, in an almost playful manner. She winced, and took a step back.

"Oh, you scared of me know?" He challenged, taking a step towards her, reaching out and hitting her again, this time harder.

"Robert, I'm leaving. I hate you." She said, and stormed out of the door, leaving Robert to bestow his wrath on Crystal.

End of FLASHBACK

"What happened?" Ian questioned. "Are you okay?"

"Well, I didn't start off the evening right. She asked me to go out to dinner with her, so I did. One of the first things she asked me was 'Why do you look so funny? I knew it was a mistake to leave you there.' So then I replied with, 'Well, then why did you leave me there to rot?? I thought you said you loved me!' It kept up with us firing insults back and forth, until I just got up and left. That's why Lacey's comments sting so much. They remind me of my moms."

"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner? It has to have been eating you up inside."

"It was."

"Damn, Crystal. Why do you hide everything?"

"I was dealing with it in my own way."

"No. Tell me you didn't."

"Can I lie?"

"Crystal, we went over this before. Why do you do it? It's not good. You need to stop. And I mean NOW!"

Author's Note:

Muhehehehehe. You guys probably all hate me now for not updating in ages. Rachel (Fuzzynerds, aka my best friend) had to threaten me in order for me to get this done. I PROMISE I will TRYTRYTRY to hurry up on the next chapter. But you guys need to tell me (in the million reviews that you're going to leave) if you would rather have shorter chapters but updated sooner, or longer chapters and updated in longer intervals.

One more thing, I will try my very bestest to get another chapter out before Christmas, during winter break.

REVIEW! PLEASE! IT MAKES ME WANT TO WRITE MORE!!