When We Were Young

How could this hurt?

Once I got through the first week of school it all seemed to be going well. All up until the first rival football game. The team had left early to get ready for the game so first the time I was completely alone. The bullying got worse when I didn't have him there to silence the talking, Emma and Abby never left me alone, they came up when I thought I was alone, I swear they followed me everywhere.

But here I am, sitting in math, trying to get through my day. During notes, I rested my head on my desk and put on my hood. I sat in the back and was hidden by all the other students. "Miss Merryweather!" My head popped up and my hood was snatched off. "You know sleeping in my class is forbidden!" Mr. Smith yelled at me and I sat up. "Sorry, sir I won't do it again." He slammed a ruler on my desk. "If you aren't being distracted by Mr. Gray you're off in Lala land. pay attention if you want to pass!" I just nodded and carefully slipped a headphone in. I got lost in my thought again when I heard the whispers. "She's so stupid!" "How could anyone love her?" "Dude look at her wrists." Pulling at my sleeves and trying to focus on the notes on the board the bell rang. Leaning down to grab my backpack, my head was 'accidentally' smashed into my desk. "Oops, maybe you should pay attention." I looked back at Abby while she laughed at me. Didn't she sit at the front of the class? Whatever. "Oh, and it's down the street for results, across for attention." She snickered as she walked out. Rolling my eyes and walking out of class I made my way to the front doors. The sounds of the marching band filled the halls meaning our boys were back, which was confusing I thought this was an away game for later tonight. Trying to avoid everyone and make it to my bus I ran into a solid figure. "Oh shit sorry." Looking up I saw my boy with the baby blues. "Hey there baby!" I was engulfed in a hug and the familiar smell of caramel and hickory flooded my nose. "Hey, why are you guys back so early?" I asked while looking up at him. "Rain out and they forfeited. So I have a Friday with you." He was all smiles as he kissed the top of my head. "Oh! That's amazing, considering you never gave me your hoodie this morning." I stuck my tongue out and giggled. "Oh shit did I forget that this morning? I'm sorry darling." He chuckled and handed me his football hoodie.

I could tell he was staring at my head and brushed my bangs out of the way. "What happened?" He asked calmly. I flinched and moved the hair back before responding. "Nothing, I got hit with a dodge ball, I'm fine." I could tell he didn't buy it but moved so he could hold my hand. "Let's get going, don't want to miss your bus." I just nodded before I heard the call of the she-beast. "Oh, Pookie Bear!" We both turned to the group of girls all wearing different jerseys or numbers of the other team members. "Uh, Abby? What in the hell are you wearing?" I asked and stepped forward a little more. "Aww, the little emo is trying to be big, that's so cute." Emma laughed and stepped towards me. "No Emma this one is mine. Clearly, she isn't learning fast enough." Abby said as she flipped her hair to reveal the number '13' painted on her cheek. "And my sweet Pookie Bear I'm wearing my lucky number to support you from the sidelines. All cheerleaders do." A lump started to form in my throat as Abby stepped closer. "And thank you for holding onto MY hoodie for me." She ripped the fabric from my hands and shoved me back. Tripping slightly as I stumbled back. "Wait no that's mine!" Dalton snapped as he ripped it back. "I told you to leave her alone, she's done nothing to you, Abby!" He was toe to toe with her and she just smirked. "She's taken you from me, you know you belong with me." She placed a hand on his chest and he tried to smack it away but she grabbed on it, lacing her fingers between his.

The world stopped when he was fighting to get his hand away from hers before she leaned in and kissed him. I felt like I was going to be sick so I just ran away, I ran till my legs gave up.

I had no idea where I ended up, I hated still being so new to around here. Reading some signs around me I realized I was at some park and found a bench and sat down. My body rattled as I cried. Panic started to race through my frame as I shook and cried. My breathing was harsh and rapid. Scratching at my arms, I wanted to jump out of my skin and escape from this place. Why did she want him so bad? She cheated and threw him away. I don't get it.
All these thoughts raced as I felt my phone vibrating in my hoodie pocket. "Hello?" I answered, voice shaky and broken. "Baby, where are you? I can't find you around the school." Trying to slow my breathing to talk. "Um, the park next to the middle school I think? I see the middle school." I heard him sigh and then laugh. "You can't run a mile to save your grade but you can run a mile when you're crying, I'll be there in five minutes okay?" Sniffling I agreed before hanging up.

"Hey, freak!" I popped my head up and looked as if Abby was getting out of her car. Fuck me, batman... How did she find me?

Quickly I tried to get up and run but a pain shut up my leg and I fell to my knees. "What a show you put on back there. But you're still too new to hide." Abby looked down at me and grabbed my hair to pull me up. "This is where it ends, I promise he won't want to look at you when I'm done." The sound of springs firing told me this bitch brought a knife to a fistfight. Fuck it. I stood tall and tried to track movements. "You're right, this does end here today." I tried to make myself sound cocky as she swung the blade at me. Okay throwing with a left counter with a right. I swung and barely made contact when I felt the blade brush my cheek.

My body felt so tired from running and crying I couldn't keep up with the attack. I managed to get one good hit in on her and she lost the knife. But my victory was soon over when she tackled me to the ground, her hands wrapping around my throat, I smacked and hit everywhere I could think before her grip got tighter.

"Abby..stop..please." I was beating on her arms and her grip tightened. The world started to go black when I heard yelling and felt the pressure of Abby's hands and body weight being torn off me.

I started coughing as I was helped up. "Ma'am my name is Officer Baker are you okay?" I was confused and just looked around. "Miss look at me, you were hurt, can you tell me who the president is?" The commotion around me went too quickly before the world went completely black.