Oh, Heather

Chapter Seven

  Miley called Heather as soon as she made it home, letting Heather rant about how annoying Jacklyn was. She understood where Heather was coming from, and she wanted to get away from the terrible day that she had.

   “I just don’t understand why she’s such a jerk.” Heather complained, pacing around her room.
   “Nobody does, she just is.” Miley replied.
   “How about this,”
   “Me, you, and Leo go to the park and we’ll get away from the terrible days we’ve all had?” Heather suggested.
   “Great idea. I’ll call him, you start walking that way.” 

   Heather hung up the phone and changed into something much more comfortable for the cool autumn air. She walked out of her house, saying goodbye to her mother and brother, and made her way to the park. When she got there, she saw the same person she came to escape sitting on one of the picnic tables with a book in hand. She groaned, pulling out her phone to text Miley. 

Sorry Heather but my moms won’t let me go, and Leo can’t go either. 

   “Come on.” She groaned, putting her phone back into her pocket. 

She was already there, so there was no point in leaving. That just meant that she’d have to avoid Jacklyn as best as she could. She sat down on a bench that rested just beside the sidewalk, pulling out her own book and reading it. As she read the pages intently, obtaining all of the information that the author included in the pages. As the sun began to set, she decided to make her way back home. She put her book into the small bag she brought and started walking back home. 

   “Heather?” She heard from behind her.

She knew who it was, but it wasn’t the same, agonizing voice that called her out before. Instead, it was a kinder voice. One that was soaked in happiness and audible excitement to see the same girl that she made fun of just a few weeks ago, and that she poked fun at just hours ago.

   “Yeah?” Heather replied, turning around with a forced smile on her face.
   “What are you doing here?” Jacklyn asked.
   “I was supposed to be coming with Miley and Leo but they couldn’t come. But I stayed anyway.” 
   “I guess you didn’t realize I was here?” 
   “I did. But my plan was to ignore you.” She said, annoyance filling her eyes.
   “Oh. Well, I’ll let you go back home. Have a good day.” Jacklyn said, walking around Heather.

   Heather stared at her with confusion in her eyes. Was Jacklyn sad that Heather didn’t want to be around her? That wouldn’t make any sense, she’s been a jerk to her sense they met. Heather brushed it off, ignoring the awkward feeling that formed in her stomach. After making it home, she fell onto her bed. She couldn’t get that encounter out of her head. She kept thinking of the softness in Jacklyn’s voice. The black sweater that rested just past her thighs. Her dark blue, ripped jeans that rested loosely against her legs. Her dark hair that sat gently on her shoulders and down to her waist. 

   She was wearing the same stuff at school, but only now did Heather realize how pretty the clothes made her look. And how pretty she had always been. As much as she didn’t want to say it, she found herself falling into a pit without a ladder, and she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to get out. That next morning, it was a Friday. All seniors had the option to not come into school, but of course Heather chose to go. She hoped that Jacklyn wouldn’t come, she didn’t want to think about what had happened the day before any longer, and she knew seeing her would spark the memory. Other than the fact that they hated each other, Heather’s feelings didn’t bother her any. Not as much as they should have anyway. She knew telling her friends was the right thing to do, but she wouldn’t, not now anyway.

   “Oh Heather, guess what?” Leo said, sitting down at the lunch table.
   “Hm?” She asked, looking at him.
   “I made friends with the quarterback.” He replied.

She squinted her eyes at him, looking over at the crowded table of all the football players.   “And why would you want to do that?” She asked.

   “He started talking to me in Biology yesterday,” He answered.
   “Oh. And he was being nice?” She questioned.
   “Yeah. I got his number too.”
   “I personally think it’s some like, sick prank to pretend to befriend the only openly gay kid.” Miley said.
   “Wouldn’t surprise me.” Heather replied.

  Miley tilted her head in agreement, turning her focus to the football table, rolling her eyes at the roaring voices coming from the table. Once the rest of her classes finished, she walked home, walking along the barren sidewalk, passing by an alleyway she hadn’t remembered seeing before. Her curiosity got the best of her, so she peered into the dark alleyway. The only things that were inside it were a few large dumpsters and full trash bags. She saw a small, orange tinted light from behind one of the dumpsters. Near the area of the light, she heard the sound of someone writing. She wasn’t going to go any further into the alley, no matter how high her curiosity got. So she continued her walk. 

   She noticed that her mother’s car wasn’t out front, but the front door was unlocked. Fear rushed over her as she opened the door slowly, hoping to find nobody in the house and everything where it was supposed to be. Fortunately, nothing seemed out of place, and there was definitely nobody around. She exhaled a sigh of relief, walking into her bedroom. She lied down on her bed, hoping to take a quick nap. Just as she started to fall asleep, her front door opened loudly. She groaned as she continued trying to fall asleep, hoping no more loud noises would mess up the progress she made. As she tried to fall asleep, her mind became crowded with unwanted thoughts of Jacklyn. They would clear for a minute, and then continue again. She finally left it alone, and was then, and only then, able to fall asleep.
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I apologize for the shorter chapters :)