Learning To Deal

Bat Out of Hell

I saw Zoe coming and that's why I was in such a hurry to get out of there. I couldn't say no to Billy, when he asked about our normal Monday night activities I so badly wanted to give an excuse not to do it. Anything one-on-one with Billy feels too good, too right and I need to move on from him. I keep telling myself that, but I feel like it isn't working.

I walked into the school feeling utterly invisible and I liked it better this way. Unfortunately when you're invisible people run into you and that happened a lot. One guy walked right into me and when I fell over he didn't even apologize. So now I have sore hands and an irritated attitude. While on the ground I see someone walking quickly over to me. "Janey, are you okay?" It was none other than Billy. He helps me up from the ground and I shake my head, "Yeah, I'm fine. People just don't look where they're walking apparently." He checks my hands, "Well they just look a little red, no blood so I think you'll make it. And I would have looked to see you if I was walking." It's really the little things he says. It's always going to be the little things that put me over the edge when it comes to Billy.

"I know you would. I have to get to class, I'll see you later, Billy!" I yelled to him as I made my way swiftly to my locker hoping he wouldn't follow me to it. I need time to get over his sweet gestures.

It's really perfect when I can't even open my locker without Billy. I hit it myself with a small grunt of frustration and it actually swings open. I was so happy that I almost hugged the thing, but thought against it. Invisible or not, making a locker look like your only friend is a little weird, even for me.

When I close my locker I jump a mile because someone was hiding behind the door waiting for me. I wonder for a moment why people choose to wait on that side and not on the other where I can see them… Either way I'm surprised at who's waiting for me. "Zoe?" I manage. She gave a small smile, "Hey Jane."

Why is she here… at my locker… right now? I stumble over my words again, "Uh wha.. Hi."

She straightened herself out, making herself a little taller, "Listen Jane, I see what you're trying to do here," She motioned to what I was wearing. "and I think we've been kind of friends for long enough." She paused and I was kinda getting freaked out. This was not like Zoe to just come up and talk to me so candidly. "It doesn't matter how much you try to blend in, you know someone will always see you. Billy will always see you. If you turned into freaking Harry Potter and picked up an invisibility cloak, he would still be able to see you when no one else could. You mean that much to him." I just stood there while she talked. I was too afraid to really think about what she's saying and why's saying it.

At that moment my phone buzzed for a solid minute straight and I had no choice but to check it. I felt so rude, but I felt like something was wrong. "I'm so sorry Zoe, I have to check this." I looked down at my phone and saw five missed calls and fifteen text messages. When I looked at the number I saw it was none other than Jeremy. My heart skipped a beat. "Oh my god.." I gasped and almost dropped my phone. I looked at Zoe who was completely confused at this point, "Zoe, I have to go… Donovan Decker.." I squeaked out.

This was my dream and they needed me. I started running towards The Beast thanking Billy for giving me an extra key. I made it to the car and slid in carefully. I fumbled with the keys before actually getting them in the ignition. The car roared to life and I patted the dash, "Good Beast.." I cooed at it. I looked in the review mirror for a moment and realized I looked nothing like myself. My time to shine was right now and I can't shine in dark shades. I race out of the parking lot completely disregarding my next class. I pull out on the roads ready to speed all the way to my house to change into something a little more Jane Quimby.

My heart is going a mile a minute. Finally I can get my job back, my pride and joy. For the first time I catch myself smiling for no reason because I feel happy. I reach my house and I fly like a bat out of hell when I get inside. I run to my room and let my clothes explode everywhere until I found just what I was looking for. I pull on a multi colored tank top, and a metallic silver ruffled skirt. I shove my arms into a blue sweater and button it hastily. I look in the mirror and on my mirror was a perfect skinny red belt. I put it on over my sweater around my tummy area and then my red pumps caught my eye and I felt lighter than air. I put my shoes on while hopping out the door. I run as fast as I can in these heals and realize some things never really change no matter how much you want them to.

I jump in The Beast and I'm off as fast as it can bring me to Donovan Decker. I'm going to win my job back; I'm going to save the company. I will make my life make sense again.