r e a p // michael clifford

Chapter Two: Crimson

The classes I had that day were a blur. The only thing I did remember is everyone staring at me when I walked in late. I couldn't help but wonder how many rumors had been started about me just a few minuets ago.
I clutched my books to my chest as I tried to find the two friends I had. I stumbled across Skylar first; she was at her locker dousing herself in a Victoria's Secret body mist. She started tugging at her knee socks, making sure they were just below her knee but high enough to see over her tall boots. Popularity was one thing Skylar and I never had, but something she worked so desperately for. She always had to have the latest trends, the big name brands, the best hair. Whatever the case, she felt she had to have it. "For popularities sake." she'd always say.

"EJ, there you are." She said unreasonably peppy.
"Why are you talking like that?" I asked, slightly disgusted.
"Like what? This is how I always talk." Her voice rose 1/2 an octave with each word.
I laughed slightly, "You sound like a squeaky hamster wheel."
She rolled her signature eye roll and started fluffing her hair in the mirror.

That's when Jasper pulled up.
"Oh, hey Jasper." I said as my heart raced a bit quicker. Jasper had been my crush since the 7th grade, when he moved here. He was tall with chocolate brown hair and eyes. Slightly muscular, but not overdone. He smoked, but the way he did it was magical. He'd always smoke after school and I longed to be the next cigarette pressed to his lips. The thing was, he was popular, and I was not. I was treated as if I was another world away, and frankly, not there at all.

He pushed his hair out of his face and made a half smile. "Hey." Skylar turned to him, smiling. They locked eyes. "And hey, beautiful." 

I pursed my lips as I looked over to Skylar, who was biting hers. I felt my stomach climb into my throat as I assumed the worst.

"Sky-" I barley had room to say anything before I was shoved into a locker. My papers and books went flying out of my hands as I tried to catch myself from falling. I brushed the hair out of my face and looked up to see Lindsay, the most evil, retched girl in my school, who just so happened to be the most popular. She let off a cocky smirk, then she and her possy, which consisted of bitches two and three, also known as Jessica and Rachael, followed behind her as a trail of  expensive perfume lingered behind.

I shuffled around the floor, scooping up my papers. This wasn't an uncommon ordeal, I was always Lindsay's punching bag and target ever since I moved here at the beginning of first grade. What was uncommon, though, was the silence pressed a crossed my best friends lips as she watched me.

I looked up and scowled at her. "Um, hello? A little help here?" I said angrily picking up my last book.

"E, I'm sorry I-"

"No, I'm sorry. Im sorry for being a burden." I pressed my books to my chest as I tried storming off. 

Skylar jumped in front of me. "EJ come on. Don't be like this."

"Don't be like this? Are you kidding me?" I started raising my voice. " You didn't help me! You didn't stick up for me! Oh, wait. Let me guess. You were too busy caressing the arms of the guy I've had a huge fucking crush on since we were kids! And you knew about it. But I mean hey, it's all for popularity, right?"

She stood in silence as she pursed her lips. The guilt was easily readable on her lips, but she didn't say anything.

"You didn't want to slip up in front of Lindsay, the great and powerful, right? Is popularity really that important as you would ditch your best friend and treat her like absolute garbage?"

She sighed as she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "E, you wouldn't understand."

"Probably not, because all I understand at this point is that you're a self centered, over egotistical, son of a bitch!"