Setting Ourselves Up

The Past Haunts Us

8th grade
                            Jade

I walk to class with my headphones in trying to avoid everyone and their stupid comments. Things have gotten even worse since last week. Ever since James's determination to make my years here a living hell (which is working by the way) my parents thought it was a great idea to call his parents after the stunt he pulled last friday. "I'll just phone his mum, we'll talk sort it out and that's it, besides im close friends with her she'll listen" - mom had said positively. What she didn't expect to happen is  for James's mum Audrey to deny everything he did and tell my mom that i was being silly.

My mom got pretty mad after that alright. And of course Heather, the girl who hates me for some reason has spread out the news to our entire school. I walk through the hallways with students my age, whispering and girls giggling as i strut past them. Breathe Jade, breathe. You'll be out here in no time. You won't ever have to see him again. You won't ever have to see any of them again. That's what my mom kept telling me after i showed her all the stuff that people were texting about me in our class chat. Things these assholes probably find funny.

Apparently, after not leaving me alone after i kindly asked him, James now had the need to spread stupid rumours about how im obsessed with him or whatever, that i want him to torment me, that i - that i somehow like the attention. Mind you i was okay with being left alone and with having no friends and focusing on my studies - thank you very much.

As i look into the faces of the people i so used to call at least acquaintances the sounds of the notifications on my phone blowing up from people taking James's statement which ever way they want pop into my brain.

With a sigh i take off my headphones and walk into class. I know exactly what's waiting for me.

As soon as i walk in James straps his arm around my shoulder while girls that i used to actually hang out with giggle and the boys snicker. What a bunch of immature kids.

"What do you want James?" - i sigh and   roll my eyes.

"Woah you don't sound so excited to see me for someone who is clearly obsessed with me" - the words are directed to me but his eyes stay on the group that has covered his desk watching us with amusement.

Oh i bet he's loving this. Making me the target of his stupid jokes. Making me the entertainment since he's to boring to actually charm people with his own personality.

"God James are you that annoying that you need to snap the attention from you to me so that people don't get bored of you?" - i say with a fake smile.

"You're lucky you're getting this much attention Springs, if it wasn't for me people wouldn't even know you were here" - he removes his hand from my shoulder but his fingers are still straped in my hand.

"Oh god, my worst nightmare!" - i fake gasp.
"Not being noticed by you and your little army"

Some people from the group start booing James,  not realising that I've offend them too, but his eyes are locked in me, and he has his classic smirk on his face. I shrug and give him a "what"? look and start making my way to my desk but he stops me by grabbing my arm. With a loud sigh i turn around and face him.

"This isn't over yet, Springs" - he informs, his hand gripping onto my shirt.
"I don't even know why it started" - i say and his expression changes for a second before his lips fall into a small smile. A fake one.
"You know Jade, you know" - i jerk my hand away from his hold and turn to leave but not before noticing the scars on his wrists and arm. They look like burning scars. Like someone lit a lighter and digged it right into his skin.

And now that i got a good look of his face i noticed that he had a lot of scars and scratches on his face too.

Whatever, it's none of my business the asshole probably got into a crazy fight again. James is known for fighting people that are ages older than him. Something about not having real competition with the students here that he just needs to fight older kids.
That's what he tells people anyway.
The asshole probably deserved it.

I sit on my desk, pulling my books out of my bag and pull the bag over my face. This is when i finally let myself break. I try to pull back my tears and get my breath steady when a tap on my shoulder stops me.

I wipe my tears quickly and turn around to face no one other than James's partner in crime, Evan.

He has the same smirk that James always has before dropping an insult. I turn away before he gets the chance to say anything. Maybe, just maybe if i ignore him, if i pretend to not hear him he won't say anything.

But that's never the case. See kids like them, they want to ignore, not to be ignored.

"Hey, vampire girl" - he throws a paper at me. Ignore Jade, ignore.
That nickname has stuck with me ever since James had said it while explaining how my face is so pale.

Of course everyone heard it so now that's my name.

I don't turn around.

I just sit there and pretend i don't notice him shoving my shoulder.
Ignore Jade, always ignore.

I start thinking he might have given up but then i get a text on my phone. It's from Evan.
I open the message despite myself and immediately regret it.
It's a picture of a vampire and then one of me put together in a collage. On top it writes "Spot the difference"
*very difficult *

I turn around, put a smile on my face as i stare at his smirk, and like the message. He rolles his eyes and i lean back on my seat.

I hold back my tears as i try to breath in and out, my breath shaky. One more year Jade, one more year.

After hearing Mr. Louis 's footsteps everyone sits on their seats, James sending me a glance as he does so. I pray that he doesn't notice the tears that i couldn't hold or notice my shaky breath. But his eyes immediately change as soon as he locks eyes with me. His face transforms into an expression i can't read. He sighs and plops into his seat. I feel his stare on me the entire lesson.

Okayy.. This chapter was so triggering to write (it brought back many traumatic flashbacks) but anyway..
Ik yall might hate James rn but soon enough you'll find out why he's doing this.
It's a lot deeper than u might think.
And god. I just love Jade. My strong girl<3
And to anyone feeling or experiencing the same thing as her know that it will be alright and that you have so many ppl that care abt u, those ppl that are like that are only trying to mirror their insecurities on you and honestly my best advice is to focus on ur studies and not let those ppl ruin ur focus and ur future <33
Remember im always here if anyone wants to talk.

Remember i love yall sm

All the love, M 💌