All the Wrong Reasons

...But it Pours

Chapter 16:

I sprung up the steps to the school, not exactly with a spring in my step, but without dragging my feet for once. The heart-to-heart with my sister and the uninterrupted night’s sleep had had an amazing effect on me. I felt ready to face the world.

I blew Nathan a kiss when I passed him in the corridor and gave Eddie an enthusiastic greeting as I danced into French class, feeling lighter than air. The sun was streaming into the room and the world seemed like a nicer, cleaner place. The morning went by in a haze of contentment.

It didn’t last of course, nothing ever did. The universe doesn’t give breaks to the undeserving. It lets you soar to better push you down.

“Whore!” someone shoved me violently from behind, making me stumble forwards. I slipped and landed hard on my knees.

“What the hell?” I yelled, jumping to my feet. Oh, what a surprise, the bitch queen herself.

“You’re a whore,” Kathy screamed at me. “A slut, nothing but a cheap skank who can’t keep her hands to herself.”

Her face was screwed up and bright red with anger. I watched her spew venom at me, all on a very similar note, and I really didn’t care. Kathy didn’t matter. Neither did Charlotte, standing behind her, laughing, or any other of the mindless morons gaping at us.

“Like that’s news?” I said coldly, twitching an eyebrow at her. She had been accusing me of being the school bike for weeks now. Time to find a new track. Kathy was only incensed further by my lack of reaction. She had probably been hoping for shame, tears or a fight.

“He told me what you did” she ploughed on nevertheless. “He told how you threw yourself at him, how you wouldn’t stop pestering him, how you practically assaulted him! And then you almost got him killed!”

I rolled my eyes.

“Grow up,” I sneered.

“Who the hell do you think you are-” Kathy spluttered.

“Grow up, Kathy” I repeated slowly. “And take a good look at the bullshit your boyfriend is spinning you.”

“You’re lying!” she shrieked.

“What were we doing together in Craylen the night of the car crash?” I challenged her.

“We had just broken up and he felt sorry for you! You were pathetic, always mooning after him.”

“He must have felt sorry for me a lot then. Especially on your birthday. Remember when he went off to get more beer? Guess where he really went.”

Kathy mouth fell open. Next she leapt forward and slapped me, a full handed slap across one cheek. It took me by surprise and I stumbled back a couple of steps. I caught my foot on something and fell over, hitting my head hard on the edge of an open door.

I sat on the floor and tried to gather my wits. Gingerly I touched my throbbing left temple, feeling the gash and the blood coming out.

“Kathy, get lost!” Someone was saying, as they knelt down next to me. “Annabeth, are you alright?”

It was Lucy Kitchen. I nodded at her, still slightly out of it. She gently pulled her hand away and surveyed the state of my head.

“It’s not too bad, but I think you should go and see the nurse. C’mon.” she helped me to my feet and ushered me along, cutting through the shocked and silent crowd. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Kathy standing alone, her hand still raised. She was such a sad creature.