"Heyy Max! How you liking your locker?" Adrianna and her girls, her lackeys, snicker as they surround me, pinning me. The cold metal of the lockers pressing into my back as they box me in.
My locker? Shit.. They must've done something.
Adrianna Moore, the prettiest yet nastiest girl in the school. She’s always had it out for me, and I’ve never really known why. She’s too high up the food chain to care about someone like me… but she does.
Those followers of hers? Practically her shadows. The way they hang onto every word. There’s no way they’re thinking for themselves
"What is it this time?" I ask, voice tight. "Can’t you just go away-"
Adrianna cuts me off with a sharp slap of her hand against the locker, the sound sharp and jarring. The kind of bang that turns heads. “Nah,” she smirks, with the confidence of someone who never loses.
"Why?" I exhale out.
They all cackle at once, cutting off my sigh with a noise so sharp it rattles in my skull.
Then silence.
She taps her chin like she’s thinking, all fake sweetness. “Hey Max.. Can you lend us some money?"
My gut sinks. Fuck me..
My eyes narrow. That word, “lend,” is a joke. A lie. A trap.
"You can’t be serious..." I say with a scoff, throwing my hands up. "You keep it every time!"
"Shut up and give it to me," she snaps, teeth gritted.
"What if I don’t?" I challenge, crossing my arms.
"Don't test me," she warns, pulling my arm forcefully.
I yank at my arm, but her nails dig in deeper, sharp and deliberate, like she’s trying to brand me. My stomach twists and heat crawls up my neck. I hate how easily she gets under my skin. I flinch as her nails sink into my skin deeper and deeper by the second.
Gritting my teeth, I give in, every part of me screaming not to, but I still reach into my pocket and pull out my worn-out wallet with shaking hands, burning with shame.
My pride wants to spit in her face. Why do I always fold? Why can’t I just fight back.. just once? But I already know the answer. No one would take my side.
She snatches it the second it’s out, flipping it open and dumping everything inside like it's hers. “Thanks for the tip,” she says mockingly, smirking as she tosses my wallet into the nearest trash can like it’s nothing.
She walks off with her girls, all of them giggling like they just won a game.
I watch them walk away, laughter echoing behind them. Then I glance at my wallet, lying crumpled in the trash. It was shabby and falling apart anyway, definitely not worth diving in after.
I let out another sigh. I’m so done with this shit. I lean back against my locker, “Awesome. No food for me, I guess.” I let my head fall back, thudding softly against the locker.
“Hey, fuckface! Scrubbing the walls?” Jason yells as he strolls by.
Jason Jackson, your typical douchebag with more ego than brain cells. A loud mouth. Always looking for someone to bother, like it’s a sport.
God, I hate these people.
“Hilarious,” I deadpan, shooting him a glare.
“Watch your mouth, shithead.” He slows just enough to toss it back.
I push myself upright, my gaze hardening as it meets his.
"Got something to say?!" He smirks, waiting for me to bite. I just roll my eyes and shake my head as he walks off.
"Ugh," I mutter, fists clenched at my sides. "Fucking assholes."
I quickly brush off my back, shaking off the frustration. Whatever, time to go home.
YOU ARE READING
When The World Turns
Ficção Adolescente"When the World Turns" follows Max Mei Lin, a girl struggling with bullying at school and abuse at home, she meets Ethan Gomez, a compassionate boy who offers her support and a chance at healing, sparking a connection that could change her life. An...
