A Crybaby in the Badlands: HALSANIE

1 - Crybaby's Castle

Hello. Ashley again, obviously. This is my story after all. When I returned to school on Monday, I hiked to the courtyard, where my gang usually was. I lived in the country, so our school was surrounded by thick forests. Everyone knew everyone, despite how far houses were spread out. I loved it where I lived. Alright, now I'm getting a bit off tangents.

I didn't bother looking nice today. I subtly wanted everyone to know just how awful I'd been feeling. I was dressed in a really baggy black sweater with a pastel rose on it, it's stem wrapping around the sweater. On my legs, black leggings, and on my feet, my usual turquoise converse. My backpack was slung over my shoulder lazily. I entered the courtyard to be greeted by the usual hooting laughs of everyone. I cracked a small smile.

"Hey everyone," I addressed them. They all slowly looked to me, awkwardly at that. No one said anything. "Uh, alright." I slowly headed over, seating myself beside Brendon who had his arm around his girlfriend, Yaileen. She was seated next to Marina, who sat next to Tyler, who sat next to Patrick, who sat next to Pete, who sat next to Ryan, who sat next to Gerard, who sat next to Frank- Alright that's not important!

They all looked at me very awkwardly. "Uh, hi," Brendon mumbled. "How's it been?"

"Uh, crap. I've been out of school for.. three days," I reminded him, becoming a bit prickly. What, were they daft? "What about you guys? What's been up with you?"

"You may wanna get out of here," Lana said across from me, looking away. "Josh went to get some snacks and he'll be back soon."

I curled my lip as I thought about him. "You mean you guys kept him in the group after what he did to me?" I asked indignantly, snorting a bit.

"Why would we kick him out after you cheated on him?" Ryan asked, scathingly I might add.

Was... Was he high? Did he raid Frank's medicine cabinet again? I mean, seriously, what the hell was he on? Or, what had Josh told them?

"I... I did what?" I inquired curiously, and utterly confused.

"Josh told us everything," Lana piped up, standing and looking at me in an almost predatorial manner. "How he came to pay you a visit, and found you in bed with some guy. Says he didn't even recognize him."

Alright, these guys had to be shitting me. Clearly they must've been. "I think you guys should stop abiding by '420 Blaze It' memes," I warned them, eyeing Lana in disbelief. "In what world do you think I would ever do that?"

"She's right," Yaileen helped out. I looked to her thankfully. "Josh had been studying with Hayley a bunch last week, and he's suddenly started bringing her to the group. So far, we've only gotten his side of the story, which could have very well been a lie. I say we settle down, and hear Ashley out."

"I agree," Marina added. I nodded at her thankfully and she nodded in return. "So shut up Lana, ya junkie."

Everyone laughed a bit and Lana stuck out her tongue, sitting down. "Go on then, Ashley," she muttered.

I rolled my eyes. "Basically what he told you, is just the opposite. I found him with Hayley. They were fucking, and... I dunno, I just got mad and started smashing things. That's why I haven't been at school," I explained.

Tyler fidgeted slightly. "Oh, we all thought it was because you were too embarrassed to show your face."

"I was! I was humiliated!" I scoffed, jumping up from where I sat beside Brendon. "I didn't even go on Tumblr!"

Yaileen nodded slowly. "See, I told you guys," she sighed, standing up. "Well, first period is starting. C'mon Gerard, c'mon Ash, c'mon Mel." She linked arms with me and led me back into the school. I silently thanked her for sticking up for me with a dip of my head.

We arrived at our first class- biology. I sat down quietly, unable to wait for the class to finish. Josh was in this class... I didn't bother looking around for him, knowing he'd probably be sitting with his 'study buddy' Hayley. I growled softly to myself. Yaileen seemed to notice how tense I was, because she reached over with a sharpie and began slowly sketching 'Dat Boi' onto my desk.

I facepalmed and eyed her. By the time she finished, class was over, and there was a frog riding a unicycle just beside my note paper. I couldn't help but snort. "Thanks, Yaileen."

"Ye, sure. I gotta head to club now. See ya!" Yaileen raced out of the class jumping up and hitting the flag as she exited.

I sighed and put my head down on my desk, waiting for the rest of the class to dismiss. What, were these bitches clenching their buttcheeks so diarrhea didn't spill out? Why were they walking so slow? You'd think Jangle the Clown had run up and hit 'em where the sun don't shine! But still, I waited. I heard a few people mumbling and whispering my name and I just clenched my jaw.

I heard someone say, "How could she?" and I officially lost it.

I jumped up and glared at who it was- a well-known gossip pair, a girl named Frankie Phillips and her brother Michael. I curled my lip at them. "I don't know what Josh told you, but he's the one who cheated! With that slut of a girl Hayley! I can't believe he had the audacity to lie about it! Although... he was probably too embarrassed to admit he was hooking up with that Pepe the Frog lookalike," I snarled, and they simply shared an awkward glance.

"Er, we were talking about Riley Yew. She mixed polka dots with plaid!" Michael reported in disgust.

"Yeah, but do spill about Josh! We'll make sure everyone gets the right story!" Frankie prodded, walking towards me.

I was tempted. I once promised Josh that I would never share gossip about him! But he'd probably lied to the entire school about me now...

I made my decision. "Well..."