Cope

Chapter 8

      Shina could not sleep for long when she returned home. Only about four hours until being woken up. When asked about her tiredness, Shina said that she was finishing homework late at night.

      With her breakfast, Shina had a cup of coffee with extra sugar. Like clockwork, she caught the bus in time for school.

      On the bus, Shina saw Nancy sitting alone buried in her computer. She felt a compulsion to sit next to the girl.

      "Hey," Shina said as she sat smiling a small smile. Nancy looked at Shina out of the color of her eye unfriendly.

      "What?" She snapped.

      "How are you?" Shina replied somewhat put off.

      "Now you're interested in talking to me?" Nancy said sarcastically. "How nice of you."

      "Look, I'm sorry for my behavior," Shina answered. "I was going through some family issues, and I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

      "There's no reason to do that!" Nancy said jerking her head towards Shina. Shina jerked backwards. "Be as edgy as you want but keep me out of it." Nancy resumed her work ignoring Shina all the way to school.

      Later that night, Shina returned to the creature's cave with some more peaches and some jerky. The creature needed some help finding food with its limp. The creature came out of the cave.

      "Hey, want some jerky?" Shina opened the package and offered it. The creature grabbed it and sniffed the food. Its nose wrinkled and tossed it to the floor. "Everyone's a critic. Here, have some peaches." Shina opened the can and gave it to the creature. He quickly scarfed it down and belched. Shina's nose wrinkled but couldn't help but laugh. They sat at the back of the cave as Shina chewed on the meat.

      Shina didn't eat much. She could not help but feel guilt over the day's events with Nancy.

      "Hey, do you have any friends?" Shina asked. The creature looked at Shina and poked her. "Aww, you're sweet. Thank you! But I mean other ape friends." The ape looked away forlorn. "Oh... I'm sorry." Shina stroked the ape's arm.

      "I asked because there's someone I know that I didn't treat well," Shina said remorsefully. The creature frowned and slapped his palm on the floor. "I know, I shouldn't have treated her poorly when she was just being nice. But she won't accept my apology."

      The creature grunts loudly and slaps the floor again.

      "Just keep trying?" The creature nodded. Shina shrugged. "I guess it's worth a try."

The next day...

      Lunchtime. Shina wandered down the halls hungry but also watching for Nancy. She then heard the sound of a struggle. She looked around a corner and sees Dinah looking on as Roxanne pinned Nancy against a locker row.

      "So, where's the money?" Dinah asked coldly.

      "I told you... My father gets paid at the end of the month," Nancy replied. "Please, be patient." Roxanne twisted Nancy's arm tighter. Nancy screams in pain.

      "Sweet, naïve Nancy," Dinah said mockingly. "My dad owns a prestigious laboratory. You don't want him to just... buy out your dad's bakery, do you?"

      "Please... no," Nancy forced through tears. Roxanne slams Nancy to the ground and kicks her in the face. Nancy screeches as she holds her bleeding nose. "Knock it off!" Shina screamed as she tackled Roxanne to the ground and grabbed her arms. "You think that you can push around others? She said that she'd get you the money!"

      "Stay out of this," Dinah spat venomously. "You think you're some vigilante?" Roxanne pushes Shina off of her and slugs her across the face knocking a tooth loose. Shina felt the blood dripping from her mouth.

      "Go to Hell," Shina growled. She scooped up Nancy and began walking away. Dinah screeched like a primate and leapt onto Shina's back. They fall to the ground as Dinah smashed Shina's face into the ground.

      "Stop! Stop it!" The same guard ran up and pulled the girls apart. "What's wrong with you two?!"

      "Sir, Dinah and Roxanne attacked me," Nancy sobbed. "Shina came to help me but... look at us!" The guard looked at the girls.

      "Let's get a nurse first," The guard sighed.