Normal

The Bloodied and the Bruised

"Listen miss goddess, just because you aren't as awesome as Nova, doesn't mean you get to throw 'insults' at her. You have no idea what kind of trauma you have instilled into her!" Naledi had anger, worry and sadness in her eyes all at once. But there was one word that lingered in my head. Trauma. I couldn't possibly have trauma. I've never been severely hurt, been abused, or abandoned. I have no reason to have trauma.

"Awww, does she need her 'friend' to help her? Weak." Persephone teased. "What are you going to do about it? Tell the principal? Oh wait, that's my dad. There's a reason I've been able to get away with this, you know." the last part she whispered in Naledi's ear, which she purposefully made loud enough for me to hear. I could see Naledi's hands make a fist, taking every ounce of self control not to punch her in the face. So instead...

"ENOUGH WITH YOU AND YOUR HORRIBLE DAD!!!! YOU ARE THE ONE AT FAULT HERE FOR HER EVEN NEEDING TO SEE ANYONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! DON'T EVEN THINK I'LL LET YOU GET AWAY WITH THIS!!!" The room fell silent. Naledi was yelling at the top of her lungs and I was certain that the classrooms next to us could hear as well. There was a long silence.

"Both of you, calm down!" Mx. Brown said very sternly. Naledi was fuming and stomped to her desk right next to me, and pulled out her favorite book. Persephone, still in mild shock glided swiftly to her desk and began writing on a piece of paper. She passed it to Naledi. She opened it, and I looked over and it read, 'You're gonna pay for this.' And Naledi swiftly crumpled it up and, after almost throwing it at Persephone, shoved it into her pocket before returning to her book.

The next three hours went pretty smoothly, other than some slight bickering between students. And before I know it, it's time for lunch. Me and Naledi sit down in our usual spot in the corner, and get our lunches out.

"Uh... Naledi?" I speak up.

"Yes?" She sounds intrigued at my question.

"I just... I uh..." Oh god, I'm a stuttering mess.

"It's ok, you can tell me." Her voice is so calming.

"It's that... I wanted to tell you something..."

"What is it?"

"Th-tha-thank you. For, uh, what you said in first period. You didn't need to do that.. Bu-but you did, so uh... thanks. I don't know how to pay you back for this, but if you think of something, please tell me." Why am I stuttering? She's my best friend, I should be comfortable around her.

"Hey, it's okay, friends stand up for friends." She says, and gives me a warm embrace. I can feel a blush creep up on my face from the sudden contact. I don't deserve this. I don't deserve to be forgiven so easily from what happened on the bus, without even apologizing. I don't deserve a friend like her.

"I'm sorry..." I mutter out.

"Sorry for what?" Naledi questions. I thought it was obvious. I'm a terrible friend.

"For being such a-a bad friend! I mess everything up all the time! I'm the worst person in history and for no reason at all..."I can feel tears trickle down my cheeks as I admit everything.

"Oh Nova, stop joking around with those poisonous thoughts. You're not a bad friend to me. You give me company at school, you're always willing to listen and you give me a reason to want to be at this school." What is she talking about? I don't help her with anything, she only helps me. Why would I be the reason she wants to stay at this school? I thought her parents wouldn't let her make that choice. "Now, let's eat our lunch before we run out of time."