A battle I won't lose

Chapter 2

"And, and! You know what they say, keep your friends close, but enemies closer," Evie said dramatically, skipping along the school path.

"Which podcast or TV show did you watch, Evie?" Ava giggled, struggling with a bag heavier than herself. It was the next day, and my friends (actually just two) and I were walking to our next period. Due to some weird mishappenings, it was confirmed as a half day today.

"Ava, you look like you're carrying your whole house. Did you bring an assassination device or something?" I asked, dumbfounded, as they both laughed like hippos.

"Yes, Kath, I brought nuclear rockets," Ava said, nodding while still wheezing.

"Aye, girls!" someone called from behind, causing Ava to groan in frustration.

"Relax, let's keep walking," Evie said, patting Ava on the shoulder. We both nodded and ignored them, but then Evie winced and instinctively grabbed her leg when a ball hit it.

"Girls, come on, show some girl muscles, eh?" the cringe blond guy spat at us.

"They probably have none," said another guy from his cringe-wannabe squad, as they all laughed.

"Let's just g—" I cut Evie off as I walked towards the ball, found a good angle, and kicked it hard. It bounced off the wall and hit the cringe blond guy's face. It HIT?! I was second-guessing for a second, but I felt proud of myself, barely stopping myself from doing a victory dance.

The blond guy let out a groan as he held his face. His stupid squad rushed to help him like he was a darn child. Oh please, it was just a little hit. But that's what I would have said if Miss Smith hadn't walked into the scene.

"Katherine Ellis, that was such bad behavior. Your actions are influencing the younger ones. This is unacceptable, Katherine. I didn't expect this from you," the boring principal scolded.

Oh, please, old man, you can't even stop the daily bullying we endure every day from some boys and even girls. And when we finally defend ourselves, we're quickly sent to the principal's office. That's what I wanted to say, but I nodded, pretending to listen. I swear if there wasn't a thing like jail, I wouldn't take this discrimination on me ever! Can't there be a world without laws and rules for once?

"ARE you listening or not?" Wow, that was enough to snap me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, sir, I understand. I will not do anything like that again." Except that I will.

Today has been exhausting. First, the whole principal drama. Then, I had to bear the criticism from that pick-me girl. Then the surprise pop quiz, the math teacher taking two periods for themselves, and some random toddler (probably an English teacher's young daughter) running into me, causing me to drop my lunch. Could this day get any worse?

"My sweetheart Kath!" Daniel's voice pulled me back to reality, and I had to remind myself not to jinx things so often. He quickly made his way to me.

"Ugh, what do you want, Daniel?" I blurted out, speeding away.

"Wait, just listen to me for once. Give me a chance? Pretty please?" He forced me to look at him.

"Daniel, how often do I have to tell you I don't want anything to do with you?" I scowled.

"Katherine, please just listen. I didn't have anything to do with that, I swear!"

"Daniel, I expect you to get out of my sight when asked." I snapped back and hurried away.

Today had to be so infuriating. I think life hates me. So many things happen, and I can't even be honest with Maa. I know I disappoint a lot; I know I'm stubborn; I know I'm infuriating. I get bullied at school—not because I can't fight back, but because if I do, there will be more problems than just letting them bully me. But you know what's worse? My mother asked me again the same question this morning: "Is everything OK or not?" Do I tell her about the book? Straight up NO because... "A little bit of denial doesn't ruin anything," right? UGH, after the appearance of that book, I can't even think straight! I don't even know what to do... WAIT!

I rushed home, paying attention to the classic left-then-right method as I made my way there. Quickly entering the house, I hurdled up the stairs, blocking out my mother's calls. I barged into my room, opened the closet and drawer to get... one sec... wait... uhm?

"MOM!" I quickly hurdled down the stairs, holding the railing so I wouldn't fall and break my head.

"Wha- what happened?" Maa approached me.

"Did you go into my room today?"

"Yeah, of course. I go for cleaning every day. You know this. Did something happen?..... Beta, listen, if there's something you want to share, feel free to. I won't judge." Except she maybe will.

"No! I mean no-no Maa, I don't want to be such a bother. I'll check it myself." I gave the calmest smile I could muster and walked up, trying not to rush. I opened the door of my room, which had a "Don't talk to me, I am in hi"bear"nation" sign with a cute bear pic hanging on it. I closed the door and went back to the closet to check once again.

It was nowhere to be found. It's like that book vanished into thin air. Was I hallucinating all this time? I still have to do my assignment, but that book is haunting my mind. It's like wherever I go, I need that book with me. That book appeared out of nowhere in my room! For God's sake, there's no more connection to that, right? That book! I mean, it's been so long since I had that book in my grasp. That's the only reason I want it—no more other reason. There isn't? I still have to do my assignment. The words couldn't normally mean by dark past that it's me, right? Maybe it's a treasure hunt for myself that maybe God has instructed. Perhaps I will find a girl who has hope because I sure have no—nope, I am self-degrading again. Maa said to tell her everything, but do you think she will listen to me one bit about that book? She will throw it as far as she can, and I will never be able to touch and feel that book again! My mother's last touch-memory-everything is that one stupid little book. I will not let that book get thrown away. My mother's everything was that book. I can't throw it away. The only thing that reminds me of how much she sacrificed for me. The painful death she died that I didn't even get to say goodbye to her, those 6 years mean everything to me. I am probably hallucinating. I am hallucinating-I-I...

"STOP!" I screamed out loud, trying to stop my unbearable thoughts. It's fine now, just count to 3 and breathe. Come on, count. "1. 2. 3." I counted as I inhaled and exhaled, coming to my senses.

No. I shouldn't have. What. The. Fuck. Did. I. Do.