Blighted

Open my box full of lies, don't.

WARNING: This is the typical high-school popular boy-not-so-popular-girl story, I have no idea why I am writing this, but I guess it's the kind of story that I have to admit I enjoy from time to time. 

God Bless,

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My mother had decided that we would upgrade grocery stores, and start shopping at one of Acewood’s fancy supermarkets. When I asked why, she told me that her new job paid very well, and that the milk at the old store was always expired. So we did, one day after school, she drove straight to Sitrix and stared in awe, her mouth opened wide as she glanced at the prices glued to the milk cartons

Her: How can milk cost so much

Me: Because rich people drink it.

Her: Does it come out of golden cows or something?

Me: Mom.

She stared at it for a while before putting it back, her mouth curved down. Then, she grabbed my hand and dragged me to a shelf stacked with toothpick boxes

“We need to buy at least one item, go ahead, take one of these,” she gestured for me to grab it.

“Mom, are you serious?” I laughed, “let’s just go!”

“No, we drove all the way here, let’s make it count,” her tone was monotonous.

I shook my head in bewilderment and picked one box from the upper shelf before placing it into the empty blue basket she was holding. I was picturing the cashier’s horrified face expression as she realized that this was the only article we would be buying, when a familiar face grabbed ahold of my gaze. It was Hannah Baker. East Pine’s gossip queen, and Acewood wealthiest family’s daughter. I quickly put my hand up to the side of my face and lowered my head.

“Julia, get another box of toothpicks!” My mother yelled out a little too loudly.

I froze as multiple pair of eyes turned on me, Hannah Baker’s included. I felt a sharp pang in my stomach and my legs began shaking uncontrollably.

“Mom, let’s go,” I mumbled when I finally managed to look up.

“I told you to go get an-”

“Please,” I quietly interrupted before walking out.

The following week, I made it my personal mission to avoid Hannah at all costs. When she walked towards me in the hallway, I turned my hells and plastered my face against the locker wall. At lunch time, I kept my eyes fixed on my plate, looking up only when the school bell signaled for us to return to class. But all my efforts were reduced to ashes when I unintentionally nbumped into her on my way out to meet my mother up front.

“Watch where you’re going!” She yelled out, her eyes furious.

My head parallel to the ground, I mumbled sorry under my breath.

“Look up when you’re talking to me,” she lightly pushed back my shoulder.

My heart was pacing, drops of sweat were already forming on my forehead. I felt every fiber of my body tremble as I lifted my eyes to meet hers.

“I’m sorry, I wasn't paying attention,” I apologized, my tone apprehensive.

She stared at me for a couple of seconds, squinting her eyes as to get a better view at my face.