The Stars And All The Rest

One-Playmates

Pearl pov

I sighed, sitting on my bed.

"You can't really go to school by just sitting there," My sister Opal said, leaning in the doorway.

"I know, it's just... difficult." I rubbed my head, the faint scar tainting my ghostly skin. I stood up and faced myself in the mirror.

I was of a tall, slim stature. My skin was so pale, my mother often wondered if I was sick. My strawberry red hair curled below my ears, and my nose was long and thin.

Opal, on the other hand, was tall and muscular. Although we had similar features, such as our height and striking blue eyes, she took more after the stocky build of her father.

"Pearl, I know it's going to be hard going back after the... accident," Opal began, choosing her words carefully and pulling me into a side hug. "But this year will be different. Now that you're a ninth grader, you'll be at Crystal prep with me and Rose."

Rose was a good friend of mine, a tenth grader. And Opal was a senior. Being in Crystal Prep meant I could finally be in classes with them, and hopefully they could protect me a bit.

"Opal, Pearl!" My mother called from downstairs. "You need to leave soon!"

"Well then," Opal said, looking us both up and down. "I think we'll be good." We both wore clothing that sported a star, the Crystal Prep symbol.

I followed Opal to her car, sitting in the comfortable passenger seat. The ride to school only lasted a few minutes, but with each one came a new wave of dread.

What will they do this year? I wondered. If I hadn't tested so high, I would have had to spend another year in the eighth grade, because of.... the accident.

As I walked past people, talking became hushed whispers. Opal just stepped closer to me as we found my locker.

"Hey." I turned and saw Jasper leaning against the lockers.

"What do you want?" Opal spat as if Jasper were the most revolting thing she'd ever seen.

"Only to say hi to my little friend." Jasper and I were well acquainted.

On my eighth birthday, my mother sent out invitations to the whole class. Jasper came, but only because her mother made her. She ended up pushing me into the mud and eating all the cake.

Her mother made her apologize later, one of many things her mother did to try to improve my life. Once she and my mother arranged a play group so Jasper could learn how to play nice, and I could make some friends. It didn't work because the only time someone from that group interacted with me was when Jasper pushed me off the slide at the park. Let's just say Jasper was all too happy when her mother mysteriously disappeared.

"Jasper, I know what you've done to Pearl. I think you should leave her alone before someone gets hurt." Opal threatened.

That was the best thing about Opal, she always had my back.

"Some day, you won't have anyone left to protect you!" Jasper sneered, walking away.

"Yeesh. Pearl, promise me you'll stay away from her." Opal said, watching Jasper push people aside down the hall.

"I promise."

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Thank you for reading!