This Year is My Year

Charity Case

It took everything in me not to pump the air and holler with joy as I walked out to the Henderson dining room. Dustin noticed my new energy as I bounded into the room and was confused.

"What are you so happy about?"

"Oh, nothing, little one," I teased, ruffling his hair. I started picking my books up. "Alright, kiddo. I'm out."

"We didn't even get to finish talking about my theory!" he whined. Again, he's the neediest human alive.

"Good thing I see you all of the time, then!" I started walking out, calling out a thank you to the Real Ms. Henderson.

I raced over to my van, starting it up, and putting on "Master of Puppets" as loud as I could. Joy bloomed in my chest as I started yelling and pumping the air.

I was going on a date with Y/N Henderson.

I sped over to the mall, wanting to get my energy out. I screamed along to the metal blaring in my car, still giddy. I parked hastily and started my trek towards the music store in the mall. I was practically skipping and stuffed my hands in my pockets to try to cage my excitement.

I arrived at the store, walking to the metal section. I perused the different cassettes, looking for something I didn't have yet. I smiled, thinking of Y/N teasing me about my music preference. My eyes widened at an idea.

I dropped the cassettes in hand, and beelined over to the sections I never entered. I went over to the "S" section and started hunting. I was going over every cassette, looking for it.

"Where is it?" I muttered to myself. The one time I left my safety of metal heads, and I couldn't even find what I wanted. Then, I found it.

I plucked out the cassette "So" by Peter Gabriel, victorious in my search. I turned, thinking about what Y/N might do when she found out I was buying music that wasn't metal. I was grinning to myself, walking to the front, when I crashed into someone.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the freak!" My blood turned to ice as I looked to Jason Carver. He was surrounded by his goonies. I noticed Lucas in the back, and my heart dropped. I missed him at Hellfire.

"Jason," I said, curtly, pushing past him. He caught my shoulder and spun me back to face him. He plucked the cassette out of my hand, laughing at my choice.

"Normal music for once? And what's this I hear about you spending time with Y/N Henderson?" He was baiting me. He had heard we left together the night before. I glared at him, not wanting to encourage him. He continued, tapping my chest with the tape. "I mean, you brainwashing her dorky brother is one thing, but her? You actually think you have a chance with her?"

My chest twinged with that familiar feeling of doubt that had swirled in me for days.

"We're just friends." I wanted to leave it at that, not giving him any additional bait. He raised his eyebrows and came close.

"Well, yeah – she's doing charity for the freak," he seethed. I don't understand why he hated me so much. Why anyone hated me so much. "And if you think it is anything but that, you're fucking delusional."

He spat the last two words out, enunciating each syllable, and slamming my chest with the cassette on each word. I felt hollow, trying to push his words out of his head.

"Jason, stop," I looked to Lucas, who was pulling him back. He had more clout on the team now after scoring the game winning point. "Let's just go man."

Jason scoffed, throwing the tape at my feet.

"Don't forget what you are, freak," he started backwards, his goonies following. "Fucking charity."