Free to be

27

Three weeks later I return to school. My friends flanking my side. Three sessions with the therapist and she convinced me my friends are important. They have.all been invaluable with their aid.

So much so that I will even return to basketball practice. Even if it is to watch from the sidelines.

The only one I haven't seen is the queen bee. I have evaded her calls and been 'alseep'when she visited. Not sure what to do about it.

"People are staring."

"Of course they are staring Erin" Danna rolls his eyes "the basketball star has returned after being beaten by the former bully of the school who was dating the queen bee."

"So everyone knows?"

"Knows?" Jackson laughs "of course they know. The queen bee has fallen. "

"What?"

Danna once again rolls his eyes " Jackson is exaggerating, but Sienna has lost some popularity since the incident."

"Why?" It wasn't her fault. Do they really think her capable of ordering that kind of attack?

"I guess people thought since they were dating then after the whole cafeteria things...well they came to their own conclusions." 

My heart stings a little as we head to class. The eyes following me, seeing the left over scars and bandages, wanting to know everything with only one glance.

As if they understand pain.  

The day continues much the same and mid way through lunch, after people are coming up to me and asking how I am the whole time I can't take it anymore, choosing to leave the room and head towards the locker rooms. It is silent in there.  I sit on the benches and hang my head, rubbing the arm that is still very much in a cast. 

I try some of the breathing exercises the therapist helped me with, calming  my heart rate. I knew this was going to be difficult but I never knew this difficult.  Why can't everyone just mind their own business.

"Why are you ignoring me?" Her voice is loud in the quiet locker room and I jump in surprise. "Sorry." She seems to understand the reaction and comes to sit next to me "I have been trying to contact you I wanted to apologise-"

"- For?" I interrupt, glaring at her and her eyes widen.  

"F-for Parker-"

"Then don't waste your breath," I tell her moving away and standing up, heading for the door. 

"Then tell me what I should apologise for ."Her voice is annoyed, I can tell she is losing her patience. 

"For being so hot and cold, I thought we were becoming friends and then at Christmas you just started icing me out."

"Friends." She lets out a short laugh "I never wanted to be friends with you Tori," Her words sting more than I could possibly expect as tears sting my well accustomed eyes. "Are you friends with Eloise?"

"What has she got to do with anything?" I demand, why are we on this subject again.  

"Because she doesn't want to be your friend either!"

I am confused and my eyes are starting to throb with tears. "I do not understand you!" 

"She isn't like you, she is like me."

"Can you stop talking riddles and tell me what you mean."

She eyes me before shaking her head "Come to my house later."

It isn't a question and I frown in her direction. She seems to notice this and sighs "Please."

"Will you speak in more than riddles then?"