Sticks & Stones

Chapter 5

I miserably wake to my dad in the clean, white kitchen making a mess attempting to serve breakfast. From at the stove, he must've spotted me at the kitchen entrance. What he cannot tell, sadly, is that I am in no mood to converse in any way. "Jenna, I'm sorry that I was hard on you the other night. I wanted to apologize last night but you weren't home. Where were you?"

"I was with Virginia," I sit at the pristine island and my dad places in front of me a plate and a glass of water. I remind myself to keep my answers general in case he makes me repeat my alibi to my mum.

He continues cooking our breakfast. "Your mum wasn't sure where you were either." What is completely off is my mum didn't confront him of my whereabouts. She knew I was with Zayn.

"I wasn't aware that now everywhere I go, I'm supposed to include you," I slouch, exasperated that she didn't tell him, I want him to be aware of who I was seeing, but I do not want to be the one to tell him.

He carried a yellow pan and a spatula over and pushed the omelet off the pan, onto my plate. Finally, now the awkward silence can end. "I believe you Jenna. You were never one to lie," he smiles and returns to his previous spot at the stove. It was like he was trying to guilt me enough to tell him the truth. It didn't matter where I was last night. It wouldn't happen again, a white lie wouldn't hurt. I scarf my breakfast down and leave the kitchen a mess, leaving my father to blame. I go to the bathroom first and take care of washing my face, contacts, teeth, and hair. I dress up as usual, in a black maxi skirt and a white crop t-shirt. I throw on a sweater and grab my backpack then head down the stairs. My dad stops me when I hit the front door, "Have a good day Jay, I expect to see you home tonight."

I nod, confirming I'd be home then continue out the door.

The first half of the Friday went by fast, including physics fortunately. Monday is the start of a new semester, which was a relief but also brought me stress because I am unsure of who I would have classes with. The next semester I have French, calculus 3, English, and psychology. I was in a college level class for mathematics, it's beyond me how math is difficult for some people. However I am not sure who I am expecting in that class. Though, I have my friend Cecelia with me in French, and I also have English with her and Ginny. But what I am really looking forward to is psychology with Marcus. It's the first class with him since year 9, when we had foundations of art together. Being in two different years is hard, even if he is just one above.

I decide to stay at the school instead of going home for lunch, only to eat with Cecilia, or Cece, who happens to be another good friend of mine. I enter the grungy, grey cafeteria and search out for Cece's dark, curly hair. There's barley anyone here, though the room is exceptionally large. I finally spot her, sitting by herself on her phone. I walk over to the table, looking around for any other familiar faces, though I see none. I place my blank lunchbox next to her colorful own and take a seat. We talk about how much we're looking forward to our next semester with each other when the question I had dreaded came up. "So how have you and Marcus been?" She asks.

I shake my head, "One moment he compliments me with the sweetest words and then the next moment he's itching up my back to unclasp my bra. I don't want to end it but I do not want to continue it," I look down and reminisce of what he used to be like, then I snap, "I just want the old Marcus back, before he became the head of the jock social group." I study and pick at me food, thinking of him irritates me. Let alone being with him.

"Rumor has it, you're not only seeing Marcus," she states, trying to say it politely and quietly.

I tense up, "I did go on a date, but only because it was, well, forced."

"Did you tell Gin any of this? This is important, she's been with more guys than I can count on both my hands, I'm sure she'll have good advice," Cece comforts.