Nobody Knows

5

autumn

She had asked me to call her Gem. She asked me that earlier that day as well. No one every asked me to call them a shortened version of their actual name, probably because no one ever  talked to me for so long without being forced to. I had a very sad childhood, you could say. No one wanted to be my friend because I was know as the girl with 'no teddy'. Almost everyone in preschool had teddy bears, and anyone who didn't was immediately classified as an outcast and should be avoided at all costs. That was basically the start of my lonely life. When in grade one, where there were new kids and rumours were brushed off, I thought I would finally be able to make some friends. But of course, someone had to crush my dreams. A few days later, a boy called Jimmy, I think his name was, told everyone that he saw me eating my own poop. I was so angry, I tackled him to the ground and spat in his open mouth. Call me crazy, but he called chocolate, poop. That didn't help at all and for all the years of school. Everyone called me either 'spitting fish', 'poop sack', or my personal favorite, 'pooping spit fish'. Looking back, I realize that the creator of those name had no creativity. 

"Where should I drop you off?" Gemini asked me, getting into her car. Repeating her actions, I replied. "You can stop in front of the pet shop, that sells only fish." She nodded, and looked at the time blinking on the digital clock she had installed in. It was almost ten, which was very late. My mum would kill me if I came back home now. She would lecture me about  the importance of curfew and how there are rapists out there. Obviously, I agree with her, but she needs to calm down. There are police officers constantly checking for criminals and even the smallest thief would be found and tried in our tiny town court. I try to reason with her, but her motherly instincts deny everything. Gemini switched on the stereo player and a slow, mellow song started playing. She changed it to an electronic song, that I immediatly recognized as 'Heart Out' by The 1975. "You like them?" I asked Gemini, who was mouthing the words and tapping her black painted nails on the steering wheel. "Well, duhh." She answered, gracefully meandering on the road. "Do you?" I nod vigorously to a grinning Gemini. 

"We're here." She stopped next to 'Mr. Fishes Pet Shop'. I got out, and she did too. "Want me to hang out with you? I get the feeling you aren't going straight home." She put her chin on the car roof, proving the she is either very tall or the car is very low. "Yeah, sure." I say, as she walks to the back of the car. Opening the trunk, she took out a small bag, that being transparent, I could see held some beer cans and smoke packs. I cringe in disgust as she removes two beer cans and an opened pack of Marlboro. Taking one out, she lit it up with a lighter from the back of her pocket. I guess everyone has to have a flaw. When she thought I wasn't looking she snuck the pack into her jacket pocket. "You want a beer?" She asked, her cigarette dangling between her lips, her voice raspy. "No, I don't drink." I inform her, but she still carries the two beers. 

When we reach the playground, she sits down under a tree. It's dark, and there's a dim light coming from the street light next to her. No one comes to this abandoned playground. No one knows why, too. "Why is the paint chipped?" Gemini asked, taking a drag of her cigarette. "Don't they want to attract children, not push them away?" She opened the can next to her, and a low 'tss' fills the air, dismissing the eerie silence. "Children haven't played here in years. We don't know why. Some say it's because someone was brutally murdered here one night, or there is a ghost that skins people who trespass on its property. There are so many reasons, but no proof at all." I answer, sitting on the somewhat wet swing. "Gnarly." She murmurs, her eyelids now slightly droopy as she drinks away the beer from the second can. I bite my lip, and I tasted the bitter taste of blood. How is she supposed to drive back home if she's drunk? Well not entirely drunk, but enough for the cops to catch her and call her parents. "Are you okay?" I ask Gemini, who has her eyes closed. "Just peachy, honey." She smiled, and I notice her eyes are a darker shade of blue under dull light. "Are you okay?" She smirked evilly and before I should answer she continued. "Having the perfect family, and getting good grade. If only you were popular. No one likes you, darling. It's sad. At least I have friends. I may be miserable and sad but people care about me. I fought multiple battles and won. How many have you fought, Adie?" She spat, glaring at me. Tears stung my eyes, streaming down my cheek. I was crying, yes, because it was all true. It took a few seconds for her to realize what she had said, and she she did she gasped, stood up and wrapped her arms around me."I'm so sorry, Autumn. I didn't mean to. Please, forgive me." She whispered, and I felt her crying as well. 

"Who's Adie?" I asked her, wiping tears away. She sat beside me, and ran her hand through her hair. "Someone I want to forget, but I can't. I lost her, then I found her. I just- She brings back so many memories. But the worst part is that she can't remember any of them" 

filler chap. please vote and stuff okay? love you guys xx