I had to go back to school the next day. Everyone asked where I was and told me I looked sick. I lied and told them that I got pneumonia.
Johnny and Alex and Risha wouldn't let me out of their sight, they became my overprotective parents even though they were pretty much the same age as me. Alex kept saying he would kill the guy who beat me up and he was always asking me if I was okay.
I was in history class, minding my own buisness and writing my essay just like everyone else was doing, when Darla had the wonderful idea of becoming a tattle - tale. Could my life get any worse ?
" Adeline, I can't belive you would carve such profanities on your desk, how rude ! " she said super loud so everyone could hear her. That girl was always looking for attention, even if it was negative.
" Addie, would you like to share something with me ? " the teacher asked. She gave me the dirtiest look and had the wooden ruler in her hand. She hit a kid with it once.
" Ma'am, it wasn't me, I swear "
" Nice try, Addie. You can tell me why you did it in detention this afternoon " she snapped, then walked back to her desk to continue grading stuff.
The entire class was staring at me, whispering to their friends. I just kept writing my essay. Once everyone was settled down, I squinted my eyes and looked at Darla.
" Eat shit, you fink " I sneered.
" Go to hell, dirty faggot "
Finally, the bell rang and I didn't have to look at that filthy rat anymore.
_________
At lunch, Jim walked up to our table. My heart started pounding and my hands were shaking.
" Can I help you, Jim ? " Alex said, standing up and crossing his arms.
" Yeah, meet me behind the grocery store. 10 o'clock, tonight " he demanded. He already beat me up, now he was after my brother. What next ?
" You bet " Alex agreed as Jim walked away.
" Alex, what's goin' on ? " Risha said, worried.
" Good question. I don't even know " he answered, sitting back down.
" It's my fault. I'm sorry everyone " I explained.
" Addie what the hell are you talkin' about ? " Johnny questioned.
" I can't tell you. I already told 2 people and he'll kill me " I replied, taking a big bite from an apple so I would have an excuse not to talk.
" Addie, do you wanna talk ? " Risha offered.
" No " I said.
Everything became blurry and my breath got heavier and heavier. My stomach turned as the memory of what happened in the park crossed my mind. I tried as hard as I could to forget it but the harder I tried the more scared I got.
" I - I'm sorry " I stuttered as I hurried to the bathroom.
Darla and her friends were chatting and doing their hair and smoking in front of the mirrors. I pushed them out of the way as tears of anger and fear started to run down my face.
I threw open the stall door and locked it behind me. I had a feeling something bad was going to happen. I sat on the cold, gray tile and cried.
I heard Darla talking about me with her friends. I hated her so much.
" Addie ? Addie are you alright ? " Risha asked.
I just kept on crying, there was no point in telling her. Risha always tried taking stuff into her own hands and getting herself in trouble when she tried to get revenge.
" Addie ? It's Joanne. Please talk to us " a quiet, shy voice said. Joanne was Darla's best friend. Why was she trying to help me ?
" Just go away. I can't tell y'all " I replied.
" You're scaring the living hell out of us. What's going on ? " Risha demanded.
" Addie, it's gonna be okay. Your brother's real worried about you. Please tell us what's going on " Joanne pleaded.
" What if he beats up Alex too ? It's all my fault. Why was I so fucking stupid " I sobbed.
" Wait a minute, Jim's the one who beat you up ? " Risha questioned.
" It was so much worse, Risha. I can't take this bullshit no more. I'm gonna kill myself " I answered.
" Addie don't you dare kill yourself. Get out of that stall right now, we need to know what happened " Joanne said.
" Fine ! " I yelled.
" It's alright, Addie. Just cool it. Jim ain't gonna hurt you or Alex or anyone " Risha whispered.
" Johnny and Alex are worried sick about you. Talk to us, please " Joanne begged.
" I don't want to " I replied.
" Okay, you don't have to. Your make up's ruined. Let me fix it " she offered.
" I left it at home " I admitted.
" Don't sweat it. I brought mine " she said, handing me a tube of mascara and blush.
I ran a paper towel under the water and cleaned off my smeared make up, then put on Joanne's.
" You ready to go back to luch before your food gets cold " Risha said.
" Yeah, thank you both " I smiled.
Maybe my life wasn't as bad as I previously thought. I had friends who cared about me.
" Addie are you alright ? " Alex asked, grabbing my shoulders. Joanne was right, they were worried sick.
" I'm okay. Don't worry " I replied.
" You sure ? You ran away like the devil was after you " Johnny said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
" Yeah, I'm sure " I answered.
" What happened ? Is this about what happened in the park ? " Alex asked.
" I - it's a long story " I said.
" There's 10 minutes 'til lunch is over. Tell us, kid " he begged.
" I - I'm sorry I - I can't tell y'all. At least not right now. Besides, you'll think I'm a whore, and I know I am, but.... I - I'll tell y'all l - later " I stuttered.
" Addie how could you be a whore ? " Risha asked.
" I'll explain it all when I get back from detention " I said.
" How the hell did you get detention ? " Johnny questioned.
" Darla carved into the desk and blamed it on me " I answered.
" I'm sorry she did that. I'll go talk to her " Joanne offered, walking to Darla's table.
____________________
I walked home after detention and knocked on the door to my house. School got out at 3 o'clock and the clock on the wall said 4 : 17.
" Addie ! Glory you scared me " Allen said as he hugged me and let me in.
" Sorry " I muttered. I walked to my room without saying hi to Alex or Johnny.
I still didn't know if I could tell Alex. Allen might have already told him, but that was unlikely.
I overheard my brothers talking.
" She uh.... Had a bad day at school. I'm gonna go talk to her " Alex explained.
" Hey, don't ask her about what happened in the park. She's still pretty scared " Allen demanded.
" What happened ? " he asked.
Allen took a deep breath and said " She got beat up real bad and someone.... Forced her to do somethin' she didn't want to do. Don't get nosy and ask for details "
" What do mean ? "
" You're old enough to know what I'm talkin' about "
" You mean he..... Like.... Forced himself onto her ? "
" Alex I told you to quit bein' nosy. Don't even think about askin' her, she's not exactly mentally stable right now "
I heard footsteps coming to my room and Alex opened the door. The light was off but I could still see his face. He was almost crying.
" Addie I'm so sorry. I should've been more careful " he whispered. He hugged me so hard I couldn't breathe.
" Alex, not so rough. She cracked a few ribs " Allen said.
" Oh God, I'm sorry. I didn't hurt you too bad did I ? "
" No, I'm alright " I answered.
" Come on you two. Dinner's ready "
