"The Outcast"

It was mid-November when I first saw him. He was a new student transferring into our school. He wore a black hoodie and a t-shirt underneath it, with typical jeans, and he was tall, pale, and skinny, looking like he hadn't eaten anything in months. I could instantly see that this guy would be a target for bullies. As someone in my fourth year of high school, I was well aware of the cruel nature of senior students. They can be ruthless, and this transfer student was an easy target. I was apprehensive about the coming year, as I knew it would be tough on him. The bullying that would ensue would be brutal, and the senior bullies were the worst. They could do terrible things. The thought made me shudder.

Although I may be viewed as different by some, the senior bullies in my school have learned not to mess with me. It all changed after a certain incident where I almost took someone's life. I suppose you could say I have a reputation now - people in this school often whisper, "Don't mess with Candice Light." I must admit, I find satisfaction in hearing those words.

You may wonder why I remain in this place that is filled with contempt. The answer is simple: money. Money has a way of resolving many problems, even those stemming from this wretched environment. The person who wronged me deserved the consequences that befell him, in my opinion. Unfortunately, the authorities disagreed. They preached that violence is not the solution, but I ask, what choice did I have? He was choking the life out of me, and I had to fight to survive.

In that horrifying moment, instinct took over. I grasped anything within reach and dealt a forceful blow to his head. In truth, it could have been stronger, but I was weak at that particular instant. Regardless, I was determined to defend myself, and I struck him repeatedly. I saw him lying there, his face covered in blood. I was sure he was dead, and in that moment, a twisted satisfaction overtook me. No longer would I have to endure his annoying laughter - the sound that made my blood boil and fueled my darkest thoughts. Thoughts that made me contemplate acts far worse than what I had just done.

The cleaning staff witnessed the incident. They were shocked, and immediately contacted the principal. I was taken to the police station while the other student was rushed to a hospital for immediate treatment. My parents arrived for the first time at an event of my life, and I was overwhelmed with emotions. To my surprise, his parents also arrived, despite their son's condition. The situation seemed to be settled quickly, with the other student's parents accepting a payment of $25,000 in exchange for his life. His mother appeared to be struggling with addiction, while his father seemed to be plagued by alcohol and gambling addiction. In comparison, my parents appeared to be more capable and responsible. Thankfully, my parents ensured that the other family would not blackmail or threaten us in any way. Although I may have a reputation for being a volatile individual, I had to admit that my parents' actions and decisions far outweighed my own reckless behaviors.

We arrived home, and I immediately sensed the impending storm. My father's hand connected with my face so forcefully that I thought my teeth might loosen. My mother just stood there, a spectator to my humiliation. It seemed as though she found amusement in the redness that stained my cheeks. "ARE YOU ******* CRAZY? WHAT THE **** WERE YOU THINKING?!" My father's voice roared, his anger vibrating through the air. I could see the devil himself reflected in his eyes. "If the word got out, my company would be affected. Do you even think of anything besides yourself?!" He tightened his grip on my arms, leaving a mark that I knew would linger.

I mustered the courage to respond, fueled by the injustice of it all. "I almost died today because of that bastard, and yet you only care about your damn company and your precious reputation?!" My father chuckled, a cold sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Everything would be so much easier if you just died," he spat directly at me. I expected it to wound me, but it didn't. In fact, I wished it would, for then at least he would know the pain he inflicted upon me. "But alas, I am still alive," I retorted, sarcasm dripping from my words. "Don't worry, father, next time I'll try to make sure I succeed in dying. But tell me, won't it affect you even worse? What kind of parents send their child to a public school, only to let her perish there? It would be quite disastrous for your precious reputation, don't you think?" My face burned as I dared to challenge him.

My father's anger escalated with each passing moment. He raised his hand to strike me again, but my mother intervened, surprising me. "Enough, it's already happened. The only thing we can do now is stop the news from spreading. As for you, Candice, you better behave yourself. If this happens again, I won't hesitate to end your existence myself," she said in a surprisingly gentle tone.

My father, now slightly calmer, was sent upstairs by my mother. "You'll be transferring to a new school tomorrow," she informed me. My instinct was to resist, and my mother laughed in response. "You truly are stubborn. Why must you make everything so difficult?" I couldn't help but smile at her, an attempt to maintain some semblance of control in this chaotic situation. "Because I'm your daughter," I replied. My mother's smile faded, replaced by an expression of anger.

"I will clean up the mess you've made, but for now, I need you to stay out of the public eye," she declared firmly before departing from the room.

After that day, I found solace in the fact that everyone avoided me. I was grateful to be left alone and not subject to their judgment or ridicule. People must have thought I was crazy, but in a way, I preferred it that way.

Despite the gravity of my actions, I was only suspended for a year. That was one of the reasons why students in this school hated me. They thought I had some sort of privilege that they did not possess. I suppose they were right, but it wasn't as though I had asked for these advantages. Life is unfair, and I was merely a product of that.

I knew my behavior had set me apart from those around me, but I was okay with that. It was better to be ostracized than to be a part of a society that would never accept, understand, or appreciate me.

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