When Winter Arrives

Chapter 2

The Next Day

Bridget wanted to stay in bed. She couldn't move because of the shock. Why would Claire do such a thing? What did Bridget do to deserve this? Bridget forced herself to get up. She had an outfit picked, and she went to take a shower.

After 5 minutes, she got out of the shower and dried off. She combed her hair and put it up in two braids. She had breakfast alone. Her father was at a very important meeting that day.

Bridget walked to school. When Himari, Claire's best friend, spotted her.

"Hey! Bridget!" Himari yelled as she ran toward Bridget.
Bridget turned around and saw Himari running towards her with open arms. Himari ran and jumped onto Bridget with a big hug. The force of Himari's body pushed them both over onto the ground.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! Are you okay, Bridget?" Bridget was quiet, she didn't have any sort of reaction on her face. Himari got off Bridget. Himari stood up and she put her hand out in front of Bridget.

"Need a hand?" She asked with a smile. Bridget hesitated. This wasn't a big decision, but she didn't know whether to trust Himari, because Himari is Claire's best friend.

"What's the matter?" Himari asked while crouching down. Bridget looked away from Himari. Himari looked at Bridget.

"Tell me, why are you so gloomy today? Did something happen?" Bridget was afraid to tell her. What if she does something bad to her? What if she spreads rumors?

"Claire." Bridget whispered.

"Claire? What about her?" Himari asked while tilting her head in confusion. It was silent for a moment.

"She... I think she was cheating on me."

"Oh, what makes you think that?" Bridget turned her head to Himari.

"I saw."

"You saw?" Himari asked.

"I was at her house yesterday, right?" Himari nodded.

"She asked if I wanted a drink, and she went downstairs. She left me alone for 20 minutes and I never got a drink. I was going to head downstairs to ask what happened, then I heard the doorbell. I heard her open the door and then I heard a man's voice."

"Are you sure it wasn't her brother or something?"

"Definitely not, he called her "babe" and she said to hide when they see me."
Himari stood up; she had an angry look on her face. She put her hand out again.

"Let's go and confront them together. No best friend of mine will cheat on someone without consequences." She cracked her knuckles. Bridget smiled a bit and grabbed Himari's hand. Himari pulled her up and held her hand.

"Now let's go." Himari had Bridget's hand in hers and she ran to school, dragging Bridget along.

They got to the school.
"Are you ready?" Himari asked with a smirk.

"I'm prepared."

"I'll wait for you in the cafeteria at lunch."
They went into the school and to their lockers. Bridget was putting her backpack away. Somebody behind her walked by and pushed her over. The person looked at Bridget over their shoulder.

"Oops, sorry princess." Bridget looked at the person; it was Claire. Claire walked away and Bridget sighed. She stood up and continued to grab her stuff for class. Bridget closed her locker and locked it. She walked to class.

She got to her English class. Bridget went to her seat. She saw Claire looking directly at her; she was starting to feel uncomfortable. Bridget sat down and put her binder in her desk, she put her water bottle and her pencil case on her desk. When class started, Claire pushed Bridget's pencil case onto the ground.

"Oops." Himari said in a rude tone.

Bridget gave her a blank stare,
"Okay." she whispered. She bent over to grab her pencil case. Claire and her friends pushed her off her chair.

"Ms. Kelly! What are you doing!?" asked Mr. Devmen. Bridget looked at Claire and her friends; her vision had a black frame, as if it was a movie. She looked around the room and saw everyone looking at her. She had unwanted thoughts running through her head. Why? Why did she have to be in the spotlight? Why was she getting punished for nothing? Why? Her heart was pounding. Bridget grabbed her pencil case and threw it at Claire, and she stormed out of the classroom.

"Ms. Kelly? Where are you going?" Mr. Devmen asked as she walked out of the room. Meanwhile, Claire and her friends laughed at her. Mr. Devmen stepped out into the hall and watched as Bridget stormed down the hall. She ran by the office. The principal, Mrs. Millian, spotted Bridget. Mrs. Millian followed Bridget. Bridget ran to the stairs and hid under the staircase. She put her back onto the wall and dragged her back down and sat against the white wall. She put her hand on her chest and felt her heart beating rapidly. She stared at the wall across from her and tears grew from her eyes. She began to cry. She tried to cry quietly so nobody would hear. Mrs. Millian went to the staircase and saw Bridget. She went under the stairs. She looked down at Bridget.

"What's wrong?" Mrs. Millian asked as she crouched down and sat beside her. Bridget tried to hide her face; she didn't want to be seen. Bridget kept crying. Mrs. Millian looked at Bridget.

She wrapped her arm around Bridget, and she tapped Bridget's upper arm, "Don't cry, I'm here for you." Mrs. Millian said.

Bridget kept sniffling as she spoke, "They humiliated me in class."

"Who did?" Mrs. Millian asked sweetly.
Bridget didn't want to expose the bullies, for they'd bully her more.

"I don't want to say."

"That's okay. Sit here and relax for a bit, meet me in the office when you're ready. I'll be waiting."
Mrs. Millian was a nice person; she was the mother of two teenage girls and one little boy; therefore, she knew how to handle situations like this. Mrs. Millian put her hand on Bridget's shoulder to let her know she was there to help. Bridget started to control her breathing; she inhaled and exhaled. Mrs. Millian stood up and went to the office. Bridget sat under the stairs and tried to calm down.

A Few Minutes Later

Bridget heard footsteps coming from the stairs. She heard a familiar voice. Bridget peeked from the corner and saw Himari standing there; she looked worried. Himari spotted Bridget. Bridget pulled away from the corner.

"There you are!" Himari said. "What's wrong? I overheard Mrs. Millian talking about you to the office ladies." Himari walked over and looked at Bridget. Himari got the hint that Bridget was crying; her face was red, and she had dried tears down her cheek. Bridget looked away. She tried to hide her face. Himari sat down in front of her, against the wall. Bridget looked at Himari.

"Tell me, what's the matter?" Silence filled the room.

"It's personal." Bridget didn't want to tell Himari.

She was worried. "Oh, don't tell me then." Bridget looked down at the floor.

"You know, Mr. Devmen wants to know where you are, he's worried."

"He couldn't be worried, he doesn't care." Bridget replied.

"Hey, he is worried though. He wants to help." Himari answered. Bridget scoffed.

Himari put her hands out.
"Give me your hands." Bridget looked at Himari's hands; she had drawings of cats and skulls on them. Bridget grabbed Himari's hands; they were so soft and warm, like petting a cat or a dog.

"You can always trust me. I know I was best friends with Claire, but I know what she did was messed up. I wish I had met you before I met her. You're nicer."
Bridget chuckled and Himari smiled. They got up.
"Let's go wash up your face." Himari said while pinching Bridget's face.

After she washed her face, she went to the office alone and went home. At lunch, Himari went to the cafeteria to confront Claire.