Good Enough

Chapter 5

The ever present fear of confrontation knawed at the back of my mind. I knew what I said was wrong, but I can't continue to be pushed around like this.

I had been walking to English, and I was completely oblivious to those around me, my only thought was to get to class on time. I accidentally ran into one of the younger students and I felt awful. I stopped to make sure they were okay and helped them pick up their books, but then as I was turning to leave, Katie and the rest of her posse came and shoved me back down.

I was laying on the ground, and Katie started sprouting some crap about how I was worthless slut and I didn't deserve to live, while her gang members kicked and shoved me and after finally reaching the end of my tether, I lost it and began screaming at her.

As she trotted off, I stood up, my legs shaking, and I thought I was going to pass out, the halls were empty and I was well and truly late to class. I attempted to jog the rest of the way, but I felt my muscles constrict as I took one step forward.

I walked into class, my teacher looking up, a look of horror coming across her face. "Oh Tessa! What happened?!"

I felt my face. I must've gotten a blood nose, and my lip had started to swell. Wonderful.

"Oh, nothing miss, I'll be fine." I say, as I walk to my seat. Maddy passes me a pack of tissues that I unpackaged quietly as I feel the pain beginning to subside.

I touched my lip gingerly. It was the size of Mars. There was no way this was going to go down by tonight, which meant I was going to have to talk to my parents about it.

And now I sit here, feeling awful about the things I said to Katie, but what else could've I done.

The bell rang, my arms quick to gather my things before I raced right out of there.

I closed my locker with a frustrated bang, before clutching my apple a little bit tighter and heading to the front of school. This was the one place me and my friends could be ourselves. Our group consisted of: Lisa, Maddy, Jay and I. We were a mess, but they were my mess.

I lean against the tree as I sit and wait for my friends. Soon Maddy joins me with a quick hello before engulfing herself in a book, Lisa then pulls out a sketch pad completely ignoring the rest of us, then Jay walks out of the building a stupid grin plastered on his face.

"What's up Jay?" I ask.

"Nothing, just heard from Lucas though, he spoke to Danny last night about you."

"Wait what?"

"Danny asked about you, apparently he admires your work as a writer." Jay replies with a laugh.

I shyly laugh along. Lucas was a decent guy, and I was near certain him and Jay had a thing going on. Surely he wouldn't say something like that as a joke right?

I continue to ponder as I devour my apple.

"Oh look! The Chimps lips massive!" Jemma yells from across the grass.

"Buzz off Jemma!" Maddy yells, her head leaving her book for just a moment.

I touch my lip gently. It can't be that bad surely.

"You look fine." A deep voice says.

I look up, its Danny, staring down at me. He sidesteps and sits down next to me. "I swear Tess, you're lip is fine."

"Thanks," I mutter before focusing my eyes on my hands.

"I found this in the first aid kit in the science rooms, it might help." Danny says with a genuine smile as he passes me a blue tube.

I read the tube. "Danny, thanks for trying but this is for burns, I can't put this on my lip, it'll cause a rash."

"Oh, okay, sorry." his eyes suddenly become downcast.

"Hey, its fine, honestly, my lip doesn't hurt too bad anymore." I say softly.

A smile breaks across his face. "Okay, if you need anything just ask."

"Same goes for you." I reply. He waves as he stands to join the rest of his friends.

Well, that just improved my day.