Her Wish

Her Wish [Chapter 23]

“Just who do you think you are?”

Over the past few weeks, Jennie had come to despise confrontations, not that she liked them to begin with. However, up until now, she had considered herself lucky; the only ones she had to face being those away from prying eyes with Elie.

But here she was, now being forced against will to directly face the accusing and disgusted glares sent her way by classmates for the past weeks.

Jennie didn’t utter a word, keeping her head down; knowing full well that nothing she said would ease their disdain for her. They would believe what they wanted to and listen to what they chose to. Her words no longer mattered.

A girl pushed her head back, but Jennie still refused to look any of the girls in the eye, looking anywhere else instead.

“Yah, we’re talking to you.”

But Jennie couldn’t understand what they wished for her to say, what answer they wished for her to supply. After all, she wasn’t about to go against the words of Elie – it would only provide them more reasons to ridicule her further, it would only give them another unpleasant adjective to add to their string of insults towards her.

Another girl aimed for her shin, causing Jennie to fall weakly to her knees, appearing as though she was kneeling willingly before them. She tried hard to conceal the pain as her knees scraped ungracefully against the ground but the sharp wince revealed it all.

She wanted to ask if it had been Elie who sent them to do this. She wanted to know how much that supposed friend of hers had told them. She wanted to know why they agreed but she immediate rebuttals arose, washing those inward musings instantly away.

Of all people, why would they tell her? She was certainly in no position to be asking for any favors.

Suddenly a bubble of laughter sounded from above, though there was no hint of amusement within it. “Why are we even bothering with her?”

With another swift kick aimed at Jennie’s legs, the girl chuckled sarcastically to herself once more, looking down upon her, demanding for an explanation of why she was squandering her time dealing with such miniscule matters, “She’s no threat to us. Just look at her.”

Jennie didn’t understand the girl’s words but suddenly didn’t care. Self-consciously, she began to observe what she could see of her own appearance, though found nothing in particular entirely revolting. Then again, nothing seemed to stand out either.

“You’re right,” another agreed, still regarding Jennie with utter disgust, “She’s just some attention-seeking whore.”

But looks would say otherwise. After all, Jennie one with a purposely-shortened skirt and a half-unbuttoned shirt. If anyone’s seeking attention, it’s them, Jennie thought bitterly to herself, though knew better than to fan their already dangerous tempers.

“You’re lucky that Elie has stuck with you.”

She didn’t understand what they were saying. Had they not noticed the drift between the two girls? The evident glares of hatred Jennie had been receiving?

But it took her a few moments more to recall that none of those spiteful remarks and threatening glares sent her way had come from Elie, not unless they were alone. How could she have not noticed until just now? She had so foolishly stepped into the exact trap that her former friend anticipated.

So foolish, just like the rest. She was no different from any other who Elie had cornered aside from the fact that this time; Elie had the advantage of already being her friend.