The Secret Pull

Chapter 8 - High School Revenge

GABBY -

Ten Years ago

It was student picture day of my freshman year of high school, and I was in the girl's restroom hiding in a stall. I was trying so hard to keep the sound of my sobs down. I didn't want anyone to know I was there. My eyes were red and my face was flushed. I was crying so hard my head started to hurt. I thought I was going to die, right here and now. I should have known better than to try to look pretty today. I wanted to look nice for my first yearbook photo but it only made me a target for my tormentors.

I saved up all my babysitting money for this perfect white shirt dress I found at a vintage shop in town. It was a form-fitting dress that stopped at my knees with a scoop neckline and lace sleeves that stopped just above my elbows. I spent over an hour this morning straightening my hair to erase every inch of my red curls and a glamour spell to make my face look like one I saw on the cover of my mom's fashion magazine. I was supposed to take photos right after lunch. I looked great, in my eyes at least. Until Paul saw me.

I was sitting on a bench outside the cafeteria having my lunch. I only had one friend named Josiah and I doubt he'd miss me. He was friends with everyone. There would always be someone to keep him company if I wasn't there. I was on a bench under the shade of a small tree. I was trying my best not to get any food on my clothes. I thought I would be safe there from Paul with most of the students inside. His little fan club would keep him company during lunch. But, inevitably I felt that familiar tingling in my stomach that turned into an awful sinking feeling. That was my warning. I knew he was coming. I turned around frantically trying to catch sight of him. If I spotted him first, I could run. Too late.

"I thought I smelled something!" Paul barked in that hopelessly beautiful voice. I swung around and he was right behind me with his right arm draped around Stella Cosgrove. He was wearing his football jersey and gym shorts. Stella was in her cheerleading outfit. They were not officially dating but I think Stella wanted to be his girlfriend. Paul hated me, which meant Stella hated me more. Stella pushed her long blonde hair that reached the middle of her back over her shoulder and sneered at me. She and Paul were the perfect students, with perfect skin, perfect grades, perfect teeth, and the adoration of the whole school. They looked perfect together, and they were perfectly united in hatred for me.

Paul ran his hand over his shaved head and looked straight at me with eyes that seemed to need something from me. He reached out to touch the ends of my straight hair. "I see you tried to do something about that rat's nest you call hair, freshman", his appraisal turning to disgust. I impulsively touched the ends of my hair that he just released from his fingers. His eyes roamed over me looking for another thing to insult.

The sound of Stella giggling pulled us out of our stare-down. "Let me help you with that hair, Pumpkinhead." She yanked the small carton of chocolate milk I had open in my hand and poured it over my head. My mouth formed a large O but I didn't make a sound. I was in complete shock! My hair was ruined. My white dress was ruined. Some of the students in the cafeteria had curiously gathered outside to watch and they were looking and laughing at the scene. I glanced up at Paul and his eyes danced in amusement. That hurt. He was so beautiful and so cruel. This was probably the most embarrassing moment of my life and he was definitely enjoying it. I don't know what I ever did to make him hate me so much. Something inside me cracked. Teardrops pooled in my eyes and I struggled against letting them fall.

"Oops" Stella cooed as Paul laughed aloud. She and Paul were speaking but I couldn't hear them over the sounds of everyone laughing.

Don't cry

Don't give them the satisfaction I yelled at myself. But, I was on the verge of a full breakdown and I knew it. To save what was left of my dignity, I would have to get out here fast. I turned and ran. I ran almost around the entire school and across to the other side. Making sure I wasn't followed, I snuck into a girl's restroom. Paul wouldn't follow me into the girls' bathroom but Stella might. Thankfully it was empty. I ran into a stall and locked the door. I cried silently into my fist and eventually, my tears stopped. After my tears stopped coming and a few minutes passed I could finally breathe normally again. My head hurt from crying so hard. I stared down at my stained dress. My humiliation slowly turned to seething rage. "I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!" I cried as I slowly banged my head against the stall door. I'm tired of being tormented. I wanted revenge. How could I hurt Paul Bennett? What could I do that wouldn't get me suspended from school?

I knew that when I got home my mother would be there. I would have to explain my hair and my dress. I wanted to continue to hide this small truth from her but I knew I couldn't hide this. She would find out that I was being teased.

How could I be the strong witch in her eyes, if I was being bullied here at school?

I was a late bloomer when it came to my magic. My mother was always searching for any development of my abilities. I could tell she was disappointed that I didn't show any early leanings toward harnessing magic. But since I started high school I have developed a few talents. I stared down and my hands and thought about using my magic against Paul. My mother taught me to never expose my witchcraft to humans and never to use it against them unless I was protecting myself. But, I had to retaliate somehow. I needed to!

I could trip him down the stairs. But hurting the star quarterback would make the entire school, including the teachers, hate me. I could flatten his tires! But he would probably call the police. My dad was now the chief of police. I shook that thought loose. Suddenly an idea popped into my head. I didn't need to hurt him physically or destroy property. I could just take something he loved.

But what?

I wasn't powerful enough to shade his precious mustang under an invisibility spell.

His bracelet!

Paul wore this woven bracelet on his wrist every day. It must be his favorite thing on earth or at least mean a lot to him. I will find a way to take it from him. He'll never suspect me. The only problem was how to get close enough to him to take it. I would have to use a spell to get it off of him. I made up my mind. I would practice my magic every day until I was able to possess it and keep it from him. Maybe he will accuse his friends of taking it and they all would turn on each other. High school friendships have ended for less. This was a silly plan but it couldn't get me in too much trouble.

I was going to get my revenge against Paul Bennett.