<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">the next day...</span></span></div><br/><br/>Alec braked abruptly before hitting the curb in the school parking lot. His body was thrust forward by the sudden cease in motion. He hadn't been paying attention and almost didn't realise he had arrived at the parking space. His mind was wandering to the arguments of the night before and he wasn't in the best of moods to begin with.<br/><br/>Alec watched as the rosary hanging from his rearview swayed and jingled. He almost reached up and tore it off, threw it out the window. He restrained himself, though, and sat back heavily in his seat. Alec closed his ocean-blue eyes and sighed. What kind of god would condemn love? What kind of people would preach love and practice hate?<br/><br/>He hated them. Now he was a hypocrite, too.<br/><br/>Realising that he needed to get into the building, Alec picked up his bag from the passenger's seat and opened the door. As he stepped out of the Sedan, the rosary oscillated back and forth, back and forth. It was mocking him. It was just like the rest.<br/><br/>Outraged, Alec slammed the door, swung the heavy backpack over his shoulder, and walked quickly to the doors of the high school. When he got to them he was alone. He was outside looking in. Everyone was laughing, everyone was happy. What was he? Lost. He was an outcast with no real friends, no real family, no real self.<br/><br/>Despite his hesitancy, Alec pushed open the door and trudged into the school. He felt all eyes turn on him. Mocking eyes. Alec made his way to what he thought was an empty table and sat down. He dropped his bag on the table and it made a loud<span style="font-style: italic">thump</span>which he ignored. He rested his head in his hands and groaned in frustration before he sensed a pair of eyes on him. He looked up to see the new kid from yesterday sitting with him. How had he not noticed that?<br/><br/>â€œOh, um, hey. Sorry; I didn't see you there...â€ Alec started, awkwardly stuttering and embarrassed. â€œI'm Alec... Are you new here?â€