Page 8 of Perfect Tragedy
She shrugs, “I like you. You’re cool. And Hailey and Justin are assholes,” she says and a genuine smile comes over my face at the sound of her cursing.
“Yeah, they are,” I agree and place my backpack on the floor before I begin washing my hands in the sink. Keeping my focus on them, I add, “You don’t have to worry about me though, I can handle myself.”
“I know you can, but you don’t always have to alone. We can all use a friend sometimes too. I’d like to be yours.”
Hesitantly, I raise my eyes to her and again evaluate her face closely. She seems genuine. I’ve never seen her fawning over Jack or Blake so I don’t think this has anything to do with them. In fact, I suppose I haven’t really seen her hang out with any particular group of people. She seems to be a bit of a loner too, like me.
“How about tomorrow we sit together at lunch?” She asks me.
“I’d like that,” I admit.
“Me too.”
We both smile, and with a nod we head out of the bathroom and toward the next class we both share, already late, but I could care less.
The rest of the day is decent, Hailey and Justin get in little digs here and there, but I ignore them. Vanessa and I pass notes back and forth during History class when our teacher isn’t looking. Phones aren’t allowed in class, so good ‘ol paper and pen has to do. We get to know each other, asking things like what our favorite animal is, our favorite celebrity crush, movie, and what food we’d eat the rest of our life if we could only choose one. I had to think for a while on that one.
When school is finally over, Vanessa and I are standing at the front entrance, our phones finally in hand, exchanging numbers. Cars pull in and out picking up students and I wait for Jack and Blake to return because we always take the school bus home together. Vanessa says her mom always picks her up.
We’re talking about our last class of the day - our elective drama - and giggling about the fact our teacher had some of her lunch left in her teeth. I tried to tell her - raised my hand to point it out - but she sternly told me it wasn’t the time for questions or comments and to pay attention. I decided I didn’t care that much about telling her after all and instead tried to hide a laugh when Vanessa looked at me and exaggerated scratching the front of her teeth.
Suddenly, a body slams into my shoulder and knocks my backpack off my arm. Wincing in pain, I lean down to pick up my bag. “Look, it’s Sienna and Vanessa. Together again,” Justin’s voice rings in the air.
Hailey joins in, “First you defend her, then you hang out the rest of the day, and now you’re here. Wow. I didn’t know you were into girls, Vanessa.”
Feeling my face burn, I pick up my bag and spin to face Justin and Hailey, so tired of their antics. Before I can fire off the words on the tip of my tongue, Vanessa simply rolls her eyes, “Oh, good one. Take you two all afternoon to come up with that one?”
Something about her reaction calms me and I take a cue from her and bravely add, “I’m sure it did, V,” I give her a nickname like we’ve known each other forever. “After all, they do seem to be two peas in a pod today themselves. Like tweedle dee and tweedle dum, emphasis ondumb.”
Vanessa laughs outright. Shock, humor and something that looks like pride cross her face. As if she’s happy I fought back. “It’s a toss up which is which, huh Sienna?”
Justin’s face instantly screws up in anger and he takes a threatening step toward me until he’s in my face and his hands are squeezing the tops of my arms. His grip is so tight, I’m sure he’s leaving imprints of his fingers.
“Get off of me!” I shake my arms, but he only grips me tighter.
“You’re a stuck up bitch who thinks she’s more important than she is. Stay out of my-”
“What thehellis going on here?”
I almost sag at the sound of that voice. It’s as if the stress and humiliation from the day all release and I suddenly feel heavy. Worn out.
Looking past Justin I see the very, very, angry faces of Jack and Blake making their way toward us. Jack’s hands are clenched at his sides, his eyes angrily stare at Justin’s hands.
“Get your hands off my sister. Now.”
Justin releases me, but not before giving them once last squeeze which makes me flinch.
“Are you okay?” Blake is immediately at my side and once I nod, he too turns to Justin. Several of Jack and Blake’s friends form a wall around us as well, blocking our view from any teachers or parents in vehicles picking up their kids.
“Want to tell me why your hands were on her?” Jack asks. He’s so close to Justin’s face it’s amazing Justin isn’t peeing his pants.
“She’s been running her mouth all day, man. You know how chicks can be. She and I just needed to sort out a few things. That’s all.”
“Cut the crap, Justin. You’ve been on her case all day long tormenting her like crazy. She finally stands up for herself and you act like the victim? I don’t think so,” Vanessa says and I know I could catch flies with my mouth, as my mom would say. Where has Vanessa been? Why is she just now being my friend? I don’t know, but I’m grateful.
I didn’t think it was possible for Jack to get any more in Justin’s face, but he manages. Justin’s face instantly flushes and I feel great satisfaction at seeing that. He tries to step back a step, but Jack only follows.
“Don’t ever let us catch you with your hands on her again,” Jack says.
