Stand Up

Chapter 5: Food Fight

At school on Monday, I managed to keep my mind off Aaron. At lunch, the room was filled with the same chatter as it always is. The popular table was completely silent, save a few whispers and sobs. Everyone was just quietly eating, not saying a word.

"I need to tell you something." Greg was the first to talk at our table. "Isabel wanted me to tell you this." He looked around as if he couldn't find the words to say.

"What happened?" Haley leaned in. Mark looked just as confused.

"Aaron . . . . he was in a car crash." Greg said quietly.

"Oh my gosh! Is he alright?" Haley asked. Greg shook his head sadly.

"No. He died." He looked at Haley and Mark's expression. He saw their sad faces and looked at me for help.

"I know Aaron's death is a sad thing. It's always hard to loose a classmate. It's like loosing the last piece to a puzzle. You never feel complete." Haley sniffled as Mark put his arm around her. I think my little speech when well. Haley didn't say anything else. She just pushed her tray of food away and sat there quietly thinking to herself. There was no other reason to stay at this table.

I picked up my tray and wheeled over to the popular table. I sat right across from Ashley. She looked horrible. She was sobbing into Danielle's shoulder. Her blond hair was unruly and not pulled back. Her nose was red and her eyes were watery. She didn't even notice me.

"Ashley," I softly whispered. The sobbing stopped as she turned and looked towards me. She looked at me with anger. She hated me. I don't really blame her. At the moment, I hated myself for everything I did to her.

"What?" Her voice was cracking. She sniffled a few times and straightened up her slouch. She looked at me dead in the eye.

"Sorry.  . . . . Sorry I hacked your Facebook account. Sorry I made you break up with Aaron. I feel so horrible now that he's gone." Even I shed a tear in saying that. When I hacked her account my anger must've taken over. I'd turned into a monster. My jealousy took over. I feel so bad now that they can never get back together, it made me feel even more horrible about hacking her account.

Ashley sniffled as Danielle patted her back. Danielle's wavy brown hair fell on her shoulders. Her green eyes were locked on Ashley, making sure she was okay.

"It's alright." I could tell by her voice it wasn't alright. She motioned for me to sit in the chair. This is first time she's ever invited anyone to sit with her, who wasn't a popular.  This was a hard moment for her. It was hard for us all.

Mandy, who was sitting next to Ashley, began to speak. "Why, Isabel? Why did you do it?" I don't know if she was curious or was planing to use what I said against me. It didn't matter. They deserved to know the truth.

"I was mad, jealous perhaps. I didn't want Ashley to be with Aaron. So I broke them up. Now looking back, it was a horrible decision." I looked at Mandy. She looked as if my answer wasn't the right one.

Mandy had black hair. It was long and straight. She also had green eyes. Blush gave her pinkish cheeks. She always had long eyelashes and long fake nails.

"For now, you're okay. But don't think I'm letting you off the hook. I'm still the popular girl, and after today, none of this will have ever happened. We will be just the way as before." Ashley told me.  I wasn't sure if that's what I came here for. I wanted Ashley to like me, not hate me. I wanted her to accept me and leave me alone. Now I'm afraid of revenge, and knowing her, it will come.

At least, the hacking was forgotten. I had an almost clean slate. I just sat at the table and at my food.

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