How to Save a Life ✓

XVII: In Which She Stands Up for Herself

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The sidewalks are empty and I'm the only one on it as I walk my way home. The sounds of my shoes are the only things that could be heard besides the birds chirping. Looking to my left, I see a blue Toyota following close behind me. They were driving slow, about five miles-per-hour. I turn back around. Ignoring the car as I continue walking.

When I turn around another corner, the car turns as well. I ignore the eerie feeling bubbling up in my stomach once again and continue walking. I don't dare glance at the car again when I turn my head and instead pick up speed. I see a coffee shop in front of me and I go in. There are only a few people inside but I take a seat. I feel bad about staying inside without ordering anything so I get a sweet tea.

I sit my the window, and I put my bag on the chair besides me. The car stopped in front of the cafe, and I take this as a chance to possibly see who is in the car.

My eyes widen with anger when I see Andrew and his two goons- Rick and Jonas- in the car. Andrew is in the driver's seat and he's trying to see inside the cafe, maybe figure out where I am. Jonas is telling something to Rick, and by the way Rick's face turns pink, it's probably an innuendo. Andrew groans in disgust and blindly swats his arm in their direction, trying to stop their flirting.

I walk over to their car in blind anger and knock on their window. I'm being incredibly stupid and if something happens, then it's completely my fault. The second he finishes rolling down his window and before he has a chance to say anything, I shout, "Do you really have nothing else to do in your pathetic excuse of a life but stalk me?"

Rick's eyes widen a fraction of a centimeter in surprise and he mutters something incoherent to Jonas. He finds it funny and laughs.

"Watch what you say, little girl."

"Why? You want to appear tough against your friends? Afraid that I'm finally standing up to you?"

To someone else, I'm acting completely ridiculous. Maybe I am. Maybe, they were driving in the same area as me and both of us stopped at the same place. But by the look in his eye and the slight smirk that he carries, I know I'm correct. A surge of adrenaline courses through me and I do what I haven't been able to do for years; I finally stand up for myself.

"I pity you," I finally say after a moment of silence. "The only way you can cope with what happened is my making other people feel the same pain as you do. Or at least you attempt to. You don't realize that you're just killing yourself. Noah was right about you."

Andrew's lips are pressed in a thin line and the other boys sit back, not knowing what to do. I look emotionless, not wanting to release everything that I feel right now. What I said might have been too much, but I continue.

"Learn to do something productive. That way, at least your life won't be a waste in the world." Taking my sweet tea, I spill it over him and his suede interior. Guilt consumes me immediately after I do it but I swallow it down and satisfaction is all that remains. I'm done taking crap from people.

I won't be lied to anymore.

I won't be hurt.

Jonas reacts at this moment and he steps out of the car.

"Hey!" He yells, stepping closer to me. I quickly take out my keys from my back pocket and point it to Andrew's car.

"Come any closer and I'll key the fucking car."

I internally gasp at what I said, I never cursed before this moment. My face remains stoic however, and I know he can tell that I'm serious when he hesitates.

"You're a crazy bitch."

"I learn from the best." I smirk and hover my keys closer to the car until it's almost touching it.

Rick sighs from the inside of the car and says, "Let's leave her. She isn't worth our time anyway."

"You can't let her get away with this." Jonas looks down to Andrew, becoming angrier.

I stifle a yawn and finally have my key touch the blue paint. "I suggest you listen to your boyfriend, Jonas. It's only a matter of time before this crazy bitch explodes."

"Get in Jonas." Andrew says and Jonas looks at me in fury for a moment before reluctantly stepping inside. With a smile, I put my keys back in my pocket and step away.

When I'm far enough away I tell them, "You will never bother me again or I will do so much worse than key your car."

The couple flips me off while shouting profanities and Andrew drives away, not saying another word. I watch them leave the area and when they finally disappear out of sight, the smile falls from my face.

Instead a frown etches it way and goosebumps appear on my skin. What I just did is not how I would usually react to a situation. Violence doesn't solve anything, but in that moment, it was the only thing I can do. And it worked, they stopped bothering me.

I walk home dejectedly, not noticing the runaway tears on my face when I open the door.

What is wrong with me?

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A/N- I know I said I wouldn't post an authors note until the last chapter but I thought that I should write one here. You probably started to notice maybe a couple chapters ago that Kate is changing. Here, it's really noticeable. As the chapters go on, you'll see that she won't be kind and shy girl that she once was. I don't agree with what Kate did in this chapter. You should never solve a problem with violence. Don't take Kate's actions as what you should do if you are being bullied. Tell a trusted adult or friend. P.M me if you want. I'll always be up to talk.

I love you guys and I'll see you soon.