The Pogue Princess

27

Today was my first day back at school. The Pogues and I dropped of Diego in the morning before heading over to a place we all dreaded. No one knew the pain this was causing me. I was tired, didn't want to be here and it was my birthday. My 18th would be spent at school on a Monday.

We went through our day like it was completely normal, at least that was until I got called out of class during 3rd to discuss my inappropriate activities out of school with the principle.

"So, mrs Martinez. A student has brought to my attention the reason that you have missed two weeks of school and I just want to inform you that this is not the type of students we want attending our school,"He explaines, and I am left even more confused than before.

"I'm sorry sir but I have no idea what you are talking about,"I say honestly, earning a sigh from him.

"I know you have been selling yourself to young adults on the other side of the island, such as the Cameron's eldest son. It is none of my business what you decide to do with your life, but please try to refrain from this job being directly linked to you. Maybe consider using an alternate name, as we can't have student prostitutes at our school," He said blankly and my heart stopped. I was being accused of selling myself to Rafe, the man who tried to rape me. Who in their sick mind would say this. I wanted to protest, but I had no other excuse other than that to explain my absences. So, I just accepted it.

"Yes, sorry sir." I mumbled, leaving his office completely embarrassed. Once lunch came, I was earning glares from just about every student. I heard people's whispers, felt their stares. The Pogues eventually started to notice, but I wouldn't explain to them what happened.

"Crazy you guys are actually voluntarily walking around with a prostitute," Kiara said as she walked up to our table.

"What the fuck did you just say,"JJ asked sternly, his fists clenching.

"What? You must have heard? The reason she hasn't been here is because she's been selling herself to the kooks, like Rafe," she says with a grin. I immediately look down as the Pogues start yelling at Kiara for lying to everyone like that. Then I hear her make a deal with them, that if they go to her party she'll try to clear the air.

"Fuck that man, why would you even want us there?" John B asked annoyed at her suggestion.

"You guys can bring some weed, and more people will come because you guys are known to bring the party," she states calmly. "I mean if not its ok, i'll just tell Rafe he can send the school the pictures of him and BrieBrie as proof of her wrongdoings,"

"What— what pictures?" I asked, my heart racing at the thought of any pictures being taken that night.

"I'm not sure he never showed me, only told me about them," she says with a smirk. The Pogues all look over at me, JJ puts his arm around me as a type of comfort

"Well, I guess we will be at that party of yours Friday!" JJ says sarcastically. Kie smiles as she walks off. I stayed silent, and left the table to make my way to my next class. That is how I was for the rest of the day, alone and quiet. JJ had tried to lighten up my mood, but nothing seemed to work. I was just kind of numb. Rafe had pictures from that night, and I had no idea what they were of. I was being accused of being one of his prostitutes, and the entire school believed it. I was being threatened to be expelled. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was just the universe throwing me a sign. It was telling me to drop out, because next week I would have to get at least two jobs to be able to afford to live in my house with Diego alone, school wouldn't really be an option anyways. I would just drop out.

We went home and I pretended to get a call from my aunt, I told the Pogues she told me that my dad was moving back to Mexico and that she was coming to take care of me and Diego. I knew my dad was leaving soon anyways, I got an email informing me of the new property in my name, so his phone call with Juan was true. I just needed JJ to believe someone there was a safe adult, because he has no intention of ever letting me go back to live with my dad, let alone by myself with Diego.

"So what you randomly have an aunt now?"JJ asked, not buying my story.

"No, I've always had an aunt. She's lived in Mexico, but her and my dad are like swapping places so he doesn't have to deal with us," I explained.

"So when do you go back there then?" John B asked.

"She gets in Saturday night, so Sunday we can go,"I say with a reasuring smile. "I'll be out of your hair with Diego. But I promise i'll still help with the Royal Merchant and I'll come over to hang out with you guys whenever I can,"

"I mean if that's what you want then do it Brie,"Pope said, looking into my eyes trying to see through the lie they all somehow knew I was telling.

"Look, I'm so grateful you guys let me stay here with Diego, but you guys can't be living with a seven year old forever. We'll be fine I promise."

The Pogues finally agreed and went back to doing there usual things. JJ was oddly quiet, and I knew it was because he was both sad and worried about me leaving.

"Ellie!" Diego called from JJ's room excitedly. I walked in the room and saw him on the bed with a card he must have made for me.

"Aww Gogo, is this for me?"I asked happily, looking at the adorable little smile on his face.

"Yep! I made it for your birthday! What did everyone else make for your birthday?" He asked happily. I sighed and sat down beside him.

"They don't know its my birthday," I said

"Why don't you tell them?" He asked as got up to obviously go find JJ.

"No Diego, I don't want to celebrate it this year. And I've had a really long day," I say smiling at him. I wasn't lying. Too much had happened this month for me to want to be happy about making it another year. While I thought a lot less about joining the dolphins, surprisingly, between today and everything else the last thing I wanted was for everyone to stress about my birthday. They have all done enough for me as is, honestly more than I deserve.

Diego and I stayed in JJ's room, he had his own mini celebration for me. It was a perfect way to end this day. He always found ways to make me happy, just seeing his spirits up was enough to make my day. Him being in a good mood meant I was doing what I was supposed to.

"Ellie, are you sure you don't want your boyfriend here at our party for your birthday?"Diego asked, obviously very confused with my lack of birthday enthusiasm.

"Gogo, I don't even know if me and JJ are officially dating and I've told you that so don't call him my boyfriend. And I told you I don't want anyone celebrating my birthday this year, just me and you is enough, its like we always did back in LA. Me and you had our own mini parties" I said as I pulled him into a hug. We continued our little party, playing card games and making jokes. He eventually fell asleep and I brought him to his bed. The Pogues were outside, having some beers and probably playing some silly game. I opted on going straight to bed, I had too much on my mind.

Between having to drop-out of school, this whole prostitute situation plus Diego constantly reminding me that I don't know what me and JJ actually are, I think just laying in silence for awhile might help me out. And that is what I did.