Beauty in the Breakdown

I found myself chain smoking every chance I could get. Since when did I fucking chain smoke? Oh yeah, since I was sent to this institute of fine learning. Imagine that. Catholic nuns driving innocent youths to habitual self-harm. Someone should write an article for Time magazine, informing the public of this. I'm sure devoted parents across the nation would be shocked. Unfortunately, as I stood outside of the Mary Queen of Heaven's gymnasium, sucking down nicotine, there was no such article. No, instead I was doomed to people-watching while on the other side of the school's campus my calculus teacher was no doubt marking me down as absent. The glory of cutting class was that all of the repercussions came later and for the moment I was free to lean against a brick wall and observe students out running on the track.

I had never been fond of gym myself, but saw the perks of getting out of a school uniform and into some shorts and a t-shirt. The skirts they had us girls wear were straight from a pedo's wet dream, not to mention the only two settings the blouses' came in were 'prude' and 'slut'. It was ridiculous. The guys, on the other hand, had it easier. It's pretty hard not to look good in slacks. I tapped another cigarette out of my pack, lighting it off of my last one as it reached the end of it's life. So this was were life had gotten me? I swore under my breath and kicked at some gravel with my converse, pursing my lips as I looked down at the only token of individuality we were granted. Shoes. How thoughtful of them to allow us to chose our own foot apparel. I closed my eyes and let my head fall back against the bricks, the wind ruffling my short hair. I could smell the smoke lingering all around me and inhaled it greedily, letting the scent fill my lungs.

I was so at peace with my surroundings that I didn't notice the fast approaching footsteps. By the time I looked up to see Sister Mary Ellen it was too late. She had spotted me, along with the cigarette in my hand.

"Shit!" I hissed quietly, tossing it down and stamping it out. I knew, however, that it was no use. The look on her face let me know that I couldn't talk my way out of this one. Of couse, this didn't mean I wasn't going to try. I mustered my cheeriest smile and took a deep breath.

"Sister Mary Ellen, what a wonderful suprise! Fantastic weather we're having, don't you agree?" I gestured to the sky while raising my eyebrows, knowing the jig was up, but determined to plead innocent to the end.

"Alexandra Saffron, you march your butt to Sister Catherine's office this instant!"

My face fell into an indifferent stare, blowing upwards to knock my bangs out of my eyes. Grrrrreat. I glanced out over the track once more, watching as people enjoyed their freedoms. I must say I was a bit jealous. I strongly believe in the saying 'ignorance is bliss'. I noticed that Sister Mary Ellen was still staring at me, so I waved my hands in the air elaborately.

"Yes, of course. Sister Catherine's office. Right. Away we go."

This earned me a stern look as Sister Mary Ellen turned on her heel, leaving me to have to speed walk to catch up with her as she led me to my doom.



A/N - Not to fear, vampiric action will surface in the next few chapters. Reviews would do wonders for my motivation. =)