My Bae from Maine

Chapter 10

As I walked up the stairs for school, everyone's eyes were glued to me. Some staring, most whispering to their friends. At first, I thought it was coincidental until:

"Cassidy! Why didn't you tell me you and Melvin 'did it'?" Kyra asked.

"WHAT?!" I screamed, "That never happened!"

"Well, it's all over the school..." She walked away.

I could barely breathe. Whispers, laughter, stares, it was all getting to me.

"Yo, slut face!" A boy yelled, "Wanna come over later?" He laughed and so did his group behind him of boys.

I tried not to let it get to me, the rumors. But it was no use, that whole day it was comments, whispers, laughter, rumors, stares, and bad words.

I ran out into the girls bathroom, tears rushing down my face.

"Cassidy," A voice said.

"What do you want!" I yelled.

"It's fine," the door to the stall opened, "I understand, the people here suck. That's why you can't like the boys, they will make up crazy things after they get you to do what they want." It was Pearl.

I shoved back tears, "You don't believe them, do you?"

Pearl shook her head, "Can I tell you a secret? I fell for the same guy you fell for. He did the same thing to me. He kissed me, then made up something totally nasty about me. He's an asshole."

I smiled, "Thanks, Pearl."

She smiled, "No problem, that's what friends are for."

Friend. That was an amazing word. Back in Sacramento, I had plenty of them. But here in Portland, I had one, and that was Pearl.

"Thank you so much, I guess I don't need a bae."

"Of course you don't. Especially not here, in this school you can't trust anybody."

I guess I didn't need a bae from Maine.