Too Different?

16

"You'd better stay out of the way freak." The one note I read aloud didn't bother me, it was probably another threat from a Pop.

"If only you'd hear what he really thinks of you." The second note was scribbly so I couldn't read the rest. The last one that fell had a time, it was during a study hall. "Hear the truth for yourself." It wasn't signed but it was definitely a Pop. Though the notes weren't bothering me, I let my curiosity get over me and walked to the area.

"Haha, you're right. Who'd think they'd buy and wear stupid t-shirts. Dorks." A voice laughed, it was familiar but distant.

"Poor Jus though, you have a freak for a brother." It was definitely Mark's voice who said that.

"Ha!" It was a sarcastic laugh from Justin. "It's just a dumb ol' phase. Those guys won't get to him." He laughed, I heard the words directly but I couldn't understand them. It was like a different person pretending to be him, or was it the same person pretending to be the Justin I knew?

"We thought that Amberyte girl was just a phase, she went full freak before the season started." Another voice chuckled.

"No lie about that one. She was kinda cute too, but now she just looks like a kid you'd never look twice at, right Justin?" It was Mark again. Justin hesitated, it was quiet for a while, my heart raced hoping for him not to agree.

"No way," The words made me freeze. "Kinda cute doesn't suit her at all!" He laughed and my heart dropped. What did that mean..?

"It's like when he said he'd never date a nerd." Another guy joked.

"There are way to many nerds in-" I cut my ears away from their conversation. I wanted to convince myself it was just a misunderstanding.

I rushed to the bathroom and locked the stall door, quickly taking out my notebook. My hands shook as I attempted to write with my pencil, as I held back my tears.

"Oh my god, you should've seen her face." It sounded like the cheerleaders. I sighed.

"Just my luck." I lifted my feet from the ground and placed my hands on my cheek.

"I'm surprised that girl didn't snap that. They would probably be the best couple in this school." The girl said. I've had my earful in eavesdropping today, so I didn't need anymore. I was just not in the best position to leave.

"Snap what? What are you talking about?" Another voice came.

"From that gathering Sabrina had the other day. She called Justin over cause Ginger was light on her feet and as soon as he came she started kissing him and it seemed like he didn't mind." The girl gossiped.

"Oh my god really? I wish I had a cool boyfriend like that. Didn't care about being seen." The girls giggled and their voices began to distance.

"Really. I'd find that embara-" The door closed and I couldn't hear their words anymore. Just my luck... this is what I get for eavesdropping.

"I suck." I cried wiping my face. I hoped it wasn't true and I continued to try not to believe it, but I couldn't prove myself otherwise.

As I walked in the halls and gave more attention to Justin, the more I seen him with Ginger. The more I seen Ginger, all I heard was gossip. I was too scared around Mark, everything he said about me was trash. It was like the Justin I thought I was dating didn't really exist. All the words he'd said were enough... I was finished.

I was done playing dumb and naïve with his mind games. It took weeks which soon turned to months and it was December. I was going to confront him the second I saw him today, I had to let it out, and nothing could stop me.