SCARS

3

Knox picked us up at my house and drove us to the party. I sat in the passenger seat and I noticed him catching glimpses of my scars on the way. I didn't mention anything. 

When we got to the party, it was packed. I'd never been to this house before, in fact I didn't even know the random Jock who threw the party, but Edie wouldn't let me skip it. It seemed like the entire school was there. Edie and I started making rounds, talking to people here and there but mostly just walking around talking to each other. I felt plenty of eyes on me, thanks to my expert fashion advisor, so I tried to keep my arms as hidden as possible. I'm sure there were already rumors through most of the party about me but there was no reason to egg them on. Edie and I finally took a seat next to Knox and our other friend Ryker. (I hadn't yet told Ryker about me but I'm sure he had his suspicions.) We sat on the couch in the living room, where the crazy antics were at a minimum, and Edie threw her legs over Ryker's. Ryker and Edie hadn't ever officially dated, but they had a bit of a "will they, won't they" kind of thing going on. They never would, and Edie knew that but she liked to torture Ryker with the possibility. Almost everybody in our school had some kind of thing for Edie, girls and guys alike. She had long, sleek, black hair and often paired it with a colorful headband or obnoxious hairbow. She made sure her olive skin contrasted beautifully with her clothing choices. That night she was wearing a white blouse and a black, leather skater skirt that just barely covered her butt. She topped it off with her favorite bright red platform heels. She said they made her legs look like she'd never skipped leg day in her life. 

We sat and talked for awhile until Edie decided we should go down to the basement so she could- and I quote- "Get her grind on." She pulled me by the hand as we made our way down the stairs to the basement and the base of "Body Like a Backroad" hit me as we reached the bottom. Instantly, a beer was shoved into my hand as we made our way to the dancing crowd. We started dancing but almost immediately, Edie ditched me for a much better looking senior. I kept dancing for a bit until I got thirsty and looked for something other than beer to drink. I looked for a soda by the keg while a very drunk looking jock filled his cup. I could feel him looking at my scars. 

"Your name's Willa, right?" He said, his words leaked together. 

"Yes." I responded, grabbing a Sprite.

"Wanna dance?" He asked, putting a hand on my waist. 

"No." I said, flicking his hand off of me. 

"Oh, come on." He said, geting so close I could smell the beer on his breath. 

"I said, no." I repeated, backing away. He took hold of my wrist. 

"I'm guessing these are self inflicted." He said. I didn't respond. He pulled on my arm so my chest was pressed against his. "It'd be a shame if your little secret got out." 

"Get away from me." I said, trying to free myself from his grasp but he was too strong. 

"No." He said, dropping his cup and placing his free hand on my ass. 

I shoved him in the chest. "Get away from me!" 

"Hey man." Someone said, on my left. I turned my head and it was Beck. "Leave her alone, she said no." 

He released me from his grasp and pushed me away. Beck put a hand on my waist, protectively. 

"Hey everyone!" He yelled, facing the crowd. Everyone hushed imediately, even the music got quieter. "Willa Thompson here, is a cutter." He raised my wrist in the air and I yanked my arm away from him. No one said a word, they all just stared at me. 

Before I knew what was happening a fist flew in front of my face and hit the jock in the nose. It was Beck's fist. The punch was calculated, like he was always ready to get into a fight. Edie pulled me aside while the jock recovered. A crowd formed around them as the jock hit Beck in the jaw. I ran to Beck's side, trying to seperate them but I got shoved to the ground and felt a funny feeling in my foot. No one helped me, this time. Edie was trying to seperate them as well and to everyone else, I was "The Cutter." Finally, they seperated and Beck was at my side, helping me up. A searing pain went through my shin down to my foot. I yelped. I must've twisted my ankle when I fell. Beck put an arm round my waist and I put a hand on his shoulder. He helped me upstairs and sat me down on the couch to rest.