Rejection Hurts On Both Sides

Chapter 2: Annabelle Who?

Chapter 2: Annabelle Who?

I am forever scarred.

And embarrassed.

I keep my gaze on the ground, afraid to look at anyone else.

Rodney however, is silent, but still meeting Jared's eyes.

"Agatha, look at me." Jared's tone is commanding, but I don't comply. I may obey adults (most of the time), but when it comes to peers, let's just sing Demi Lovato's song, since I "Really Don't Care".

Then another voice rings through. "Forget it, Jared. She's childish, as always."

My head shoots up, as I locate the speaker. My heart drops. However, I let a grin cross my face. "Thanks!"

I wasn't going to let anyone see me weak.

Nate scoffs. "That wasn't a compliment."

I give him another grin, albeit forced. "But I'll take it as one, Nathaniel."

He gives me an icy glare. "It's Nate. My name is just Nate."

"Okay, Just Nate," I chirp. C'mon, he had to have seen that coming.

"Sorry to interrupt your flirting fest," Jared's angry voice cuts through. "But can you please explain why you screamed like you were nearly murdered?"

My grin turns sheepish. "You heard that?"

The 28 other kids from detention all nod their heads, while accompanied with some "yeah"s and "it was pretty loud".

One of them pipes up. "Your scream made Vince think it was Bloody Mary. He even wet his pants!"

"Shut up!" A gray-eyed boy sends a heated glare the speaker's way. I guess that must be Vince.

I let a gleeful expression flit across my features. "Aw, so you guys do care about me."

"No, we do not care about you," Nate states. "We only came because we thought there was a ghost. I mean, why would we care about trash?"

I clear my throat. It hurts. It really does. I have to turn away to compose myself. "Well, there's no ghost, so you can leave now." My voice sounds harsh. I wonder if I'm really bi-polar.

Nate shoves his hands in his pockets. "You heard her. Let's go." He heads for the door.

"Wait."

We stare at a red-haired girl.

"What is it, Maria?" Nate asks gently. I feel a pang in my chest at his change on tone.

She lets her emerald eyes gaze on me. "Why'd you scream, Aggie?"

"Uh, well," I feel uncomfortable right now. Are Maria and Nate dating? I can't help but wonder. "I screamed because of a..." I can't finish. What if they think it's ridiculous?

"A what?" Jared demands. He still seems to be mad.

"A doll." Rodney says quietly.

"A doll?!" Nate echoes. I note that most of my peers left, leaving roughly ten of us in Miss Fisher's office.

Jared looks incredulous. "The Agatha Perez, is scared of a doll?!"

"It's a scary doll, okay?!" I snap in embarrassment. "She's one of those antique dolls! She has those golden curls and big blue eyes! Her smile is so eerie, like she's planning my murder!" I shudder.

Jared pales.

If it was a Barbie doll, I'd be okay. But it HAD to be one of those (female) child dolls that looked like she would be possessed by an evil spirit any second.