Teach Me How to Be Bad

Chapter 5

This week has been just great. I was late to multiple classes, I forgot to do my homework for the first time in my life, and I got a detention!

Some people may not think a detention is a big deal, but I am not some people. I am Jane Stevens, and Jane Stevens does not get in trouble.

Some how the news of my poor disciplinary act had managed to spread through the whole school. It was the day after I served my time, and the news had already fanned out like a wild fire.

I was walking through the halls before first hour, and I could feel everyone's stares. The occasional finger would point in my direction, or I would see girls whispering the gossip in each other's ears.

I never understood why people found other people's lives so interesting. I have always been the girl that doesn't fit in because I don't find talking about someone else's business all that entertaining. People in our generation are so quick to judge and are so dependent on being updated with what's going on. I've heard so many people saying things like, "She's so ugly. Like why would he date her?", or, "I heard she got really sick. It's probably because she is so anorexic. I don't understand people. I know she was just doing it for attention." I'm sure those girls were just jealous. And even if they truly believed she was not a great looking person, then who are they to talk? We were all created equal, and it's what is on the inside that counts, no matter how corny it sounds. And the girl who was out of school for a week, sure she could have been sick, or on vacation, or simply visiting family. Even if she was sick from a lack of food, that is no reason to make fun her or talk behind her back. Anorexia is a huge problem in today's world. I would know, because I am recently recovered. Starving myself didn't make me any skinnier, and I knew it. But I always felt like I wasn't good enough, and no one should feel like that. I need to be perfect, because that is what everyone expects from me.

Besides the point, I knew everyone was judging me. The good girl of the school isn't so perfect anymore, is she? Well surprise, surprise, I never have been. I know that their ridicule and judgment should bother me, but it doesn't. I've learned that those who matter don't care about these sort of things. I know that at the end of the day, Amanda and Katie will still have my back. That reminds me, we should plan a girls night this weekend.

I pull out my phone and type a simple message to my best friends.

We haven't hung out in forever, girls night at my place?

I know I am grounded, but I'm hoping my mom won't mind. She loves the two girls. She says they are good influences, especially Amanda.

As I am walking, I notice a boy drop his binder. Papers fly across the hall way and I can't help but think how I was in the same predicament just this week. People seem to not notice or care to help the kid. I drop to my knees and begin to gather as many papers as I can. He looks up at me in shock that someone would actually help.

I give him a small smile and say, "What's your name?" I think I remember seeing him in the halls a few times before. He looks like a freshman, which I assume he is.

By now, we have gathered all of his papers, and he quietly responds,"I'm Jacob. You are Jane, right?"

I'm flattered he knows my name. "That's me." I give him another smile. Something about helping people out makes me happy.

"Well, thank you," a small blush creeps on his cheeks," I'll see you around." With that, Jacob walks off to his locker or class.

"He totally has a crush on you." I hear someone say behind me.

This causes me to jump, and I quickly turn around to see who decided scaring me was a good idea.

I should've known it would be Grayson. He has a very boyish grin on his lips, and I think about how nice it would be to smack it off.