Closure

Chapter 1: Jenny Stevens

Artwork credit in the pic (MAPPA)

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First day of grade 8. I could smell the heat radiating off the wet black concrete below my feet. Girls were squealing at the worms who had been lucky enough to survive yesterday's storm. My best friend Jake, who was beside me, commented something about a trainwreck of a plan to prank our new teachers, which is early even for him.

Jake's been pulling stunts on anyone and everyone since he smashed up a jar of Vaseline with a kitchen knife at the ripe age of one and he hasn't stopped since. His mom didn't think much of it, other than what a mess her silly little boy made. She was always the nicest at bake sales; her banana bread was the talk of the school. When she was alive, that is.

The bell rang and the first mob of the year started. The gates to hell were opened by one of the teachers with blonde hair and a red lanyard. There always seems to be one every time. Everybody's shoes were wet and dirty, making squelching and squeaking sounds on the hard floor going up the stairs, the worn carpet already disgusting.

I was halfway up the stairs when I heard someone trip and fall flat on their face behind me. There were a few "ooh"'s and finally, her. Her laughter echoed throughout the stairway.

Before I could even pause, Jake grabbed my arm and pulled me upstairs. Away from the drama. "Hey! I wanted to see who Jenny's first victim was."

He had his shit-eating grin on him. "Chill. It's still going to be you, don't worry." The geezer laughed as we made our way to our homeroom teacher. I could already see his intent coming from a mile away. Which was to use Jenny's bullying sessions to get closer to her.

By bullying me alongside her. How romantic.

I know he doesn't truly mean it though. Of course he doesn't. He's just doing it to get closer to Jenny.

Our new homeroom teacher's voice was the thing that brought me back to reality. She began with a hopeful smile, which will probably die within a month. The first day of the last year of middle school. I only prayed that I won't lose my mind.

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The day was half-way finished when Jenny and her cronies approached me. I've gotten used to our little cat and mouse game. She'd say the exact same things, and maybe throw in a new insult here and there if she was in a good mood. I was doing nothing but sitting under a tree, picking at blades of grass when-

"Hey toe-eyed cabbage. How's your day today?"

She's so nice, she even went with my favorite insult and asked me about my day.

"It's good, thanks."

I was still looking at the blades of grass, trying to tie them together like shoelaces.

"Hey umm. So I noticed you struggling in math today? Like, it's not that hard. It was only review too. Like, come on." Of course she noticed her prey struggling. 

"I guess I forgot." I managed to say.

"Just like how you forgot that shirt is ugly?" Ah, there it is.

My shirt wasn't even that bad, but Jenny's minions squealed with laughter anyway. Reminds me of pigs almost.

"Woow, you are so going to fail this year," the one with her wrists full of bracelets snorted. I think her name is Abigail?

Jenny put her hands on her hips and leaned forwards, her barbie necklaces dangling directly in front of my face. "As if your family needs another failure."

Oh.

We're going there today.

Jenny and her friends were always slightly meaner when Jake was not around. Why? Well you don't want the cute boy to know you're a mean bitch, do you?

Jenny and I, we've known each other since pre-school. She knows everything about me. And I know everything about her.

"As if your dad needs another reason to divorce your mom." Case in point. I looked Jenny directly into her eyes as I said that.

It felt great to be honest, it's only fair I fight back too. But from the sound of sudden silence and tears glistening in her eyes, I could tell we both ruined the day today.

"Girls, this is going to be messy. Leave." Her two loyal minions scampered off, probably to tell Jake and the rest of the hockey team. Oh, joy.

Once they were gone Jenny approached me slowly to where I was sitting, and then crumbled down into my arms. The tears were coming faster now, her poorly-put-on mascara running. She's still learning from those YouTube tutorials. I can tell.

"Can we go behind the tree? So that like... No one can see me?" She asked me that with a pathetic crack in her voice, and I nodded. What wouldn't I do for Jenny?

We scooted over a bit, away from prying eyes. That's where Jennifer Stevens broke down, sobbing into my shoulder about her parents divorce. She had kinky chocolate brown hair that reached her shoulders, styled with a few braids and pink and purple heart-shaped beads in them. Her dark skin shone in the golden light like this, and her honey eyes looked really pretty when she was crying. She was the smartest girl in our grade, too. No wonder everybody likes her. I do too. No one would even guess she's a bitch.

I don't mind being her outlet, a shoulder to cry on or her punching bag. Our daily routine of hate makes me feel all fuzzy inside, and I'm always looking forwards to it. I don't mind it when Jenny kisses me behind the tree either. I don't really mind it too, when she suddenly slaps me across the face, calls me a jackass, stands up and kicks my leg.

Sure, I'm confused. Very confused. I don't really know what these feelings are or what she's doing, but I can only hear two things. The bell ringing signaling the end of the break and-

"I hate you."  The venom in her voice is raw, but I know she doesn't truly mean it though.

It stings. the slap I mean. It hurts as she races over to Jake with tears in her eyes and puffy cheeks. I put my hand up to touch my own cheek and sure enough, it's burning. I think my whole face is burning. I take a look over to the field, seeing the wave of kids getting ready to fight to get inside. It's life or death in this peak minute. I also see Jake holding Jenny close, making sure his pretty little princess is okay. He soothes her sobs and she points to me, to which, finally, Jake sees me.

I give him a smile. He gives me one back. I know all about his stupid crush on Jenny. But why am I getting the feeling of wanting to be in Jenny's place instead?

I was the one slapped and kicked. I was ridiculed when I wasn't even doing anything. Not that it's not normal at this point, I guess. But why aren't I in Jake's arms right now instead? Getting soothed and hugged and getting all the attention? I feel strange, and tired.

And just like that, the first day of grade 8 is finished.

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Thank you for reading <3