Soft Bruises

Chapter One

     "Rem, I am so unbelievably sick of these little kids running around here in their tight little shorts with their itty bitty titties hanging out." Blair slurred, "It's freaking sixty degrees! Put some damn clothes on!" 

     I laughed, turning the knob on my locker. The top corner of my schedule read that I was locker number seventeen and my combination was seven-thirteen-three, but the piece of junk was not opening. My eyes glanced right, Blair, of course, high out of her mind, could even get her locker opened. She was shoving a bag of hot Cheetos onto her top shelf. 

     "That's all you brought?" 

     "Yeah? You got pencils, don't you?" 

     She snatched a number two out of the side pocket of my bag and stuck in behind her ear. Her short, shaggy black hair just covered her filled-in eyebrows. Her mascara was clumped and the black powder on her eyelids was smudged completely. She looked exhausted and I wondered how long it has been since she has actually slept. 

     The bell rang and the freshmen scurried into the classrooms and up the stairs. I grabbed Blair's arm and dragged her into the biology room where our first class took place. 

     After school, Blair and I met up at my 2004 Ford Focus in the back of the parking lot. She was late, as she always was. The wind blew my hair to the front of my face, creating frizz and knots, making it very difficult to be able to go to work without stopping home to freshen up. 

     "Hey, Rema."

     I frowned as I yanked my hair back. Ezra was parked right next to me, his boyfriend no where to be seen.

     "Hey, Ezra. How was your summer?" 

     "Great, actually. Got accepted into University of Western States." he smiled, his dark curls bounced as he laughed.

     The frown grew on my face. I hadn't even began to think about what I wanted to do in the future. I don't have any major interests in any particular profession. Honestly, I didn't think I would have gotten this far. 

     "Nice."

     He looked towards the school, Blair and Eric both walking towards us. 

     "I miss you both, Rema."

     My heart ached at the nick name he gave me when we were in eighth grade; I haven't heard it in so long. Sadly, my brain was smarter and ignored the statement, forcing my body into the car. I put the keys into the ignition just as Blair slide inside, lighting a cigarette. 

     "What did the queer have to say?" she mumbled, the stick hanging in between her red lips. 

     "Nothing important."