Playing Dressup

1

"Stay low key. Not everyone needs to know everything about you"

I have a secret. And if anyone found out, they'd bully me more. I'm your typical plain Jane, no makeup, oversized hoodie and baggy clothes kind of girl. I'm not your typical loner who has one friend or a cliche girl who doesn't realise she's beautiful as soon as someone shows her. Im not going to lie, I'm not ugly. But I'm not beautiful because have you seen how many spots I have? Im just trying to get through my last year of school before the end of the year when I am finally free from all things school.
I live in a small seaside town in England with my mum. Its just us since my dad moved away with my little sister 5 years ago. She was only 8 at the time, she didn't understand it all. Neither did I to be fair, a clueless 13 year old who could hardly string together a single sentence out of fear. My dad scares the shit out of me and I can't believe my mum married that monster. He rarely comes back unless something's happened between him and mum and when he does come back it sends my mum into overdrive, she cries uncontrollably and she flings herself at my dad. She feels as if she needs to do it to save herself and me.
She works most hours to supply my dad with enough money to stay away from us. My sister still stays with him. She insists that he doesn't hurt her and that he loves her unconditionally. I still think that's wrong, I know it is.
Anyway to support mum and myself I started to look at job interviews. No one would accept me because I was too unprofessional. I came across a bar that was going to be closed down. I interviewed there and they gave me the job. They couldn't afford not to. I started out collecting glasses but soon they trusted me enough to do bartending. I enjoy it and it was a place I could relax. This is where my secret comes in.
When I go to bartend, I don't go in my normal clothes. I basically go as someone else. I essentially dress up. But there is some sort of "meaning" behind it. At school I'm really shy but when I take on this new persona I can be as loud or gobby as I want. It helps me feel less anxious I guess… it also might be because no one from my school sets foot in this place. None of them are 18 yet(except from people like me who were born in really early September) and they'd rather spend their time drinking whatever they can get their hands on and smuggling it to their friends.
I have'nt even told my best friends about my secret. I don't plan to either, nobody needs to know.
***
I wake up to the sound of my alarm clock on my phone after I've hit snooze 20 million times. I'm in a rush like always. I throw on a hoodie and sweatpants before grabbing my bag with a random bar\edible thing on the table next to it. Ugh summer went by too fast… but I can't wait to see my bestest friend Nia. She said she's changed her look over the summer and I am beyond excited to see it. Maybe she'll get her crush to like her, she hasn't told me who it is yet but I'm sure I'll get it out of her sooner or later.
I arrive at school with 10 minutes to spare. Damn I must of looked crazy running into school. I pull out my phone and text Nia.
Me: r u at school yet? I'm dying to see you
She relplies back almost instantly
Nia: of course I am, meet me and the girls by ur locker. Did u oversleep again?

I smile at the text before walking (at a reasonably normal pace) to my locker. That's when I saw Nia. And DAYUM did she glow up!
Her one bushy hair had become slick and shiny as it fell down to her waist. Her makeup was flawless and her olive skin glowed with confident. I can't believe she was my best friend.
Shecsmiled and hugged me
"How have you been I havnt seen you in ages!" Nia exclaimed
"I'm good, and by the looks of it you look pretty good too" I said
"Oh this, I just for some help from my sister when I went to stay at her house this summer,it was so hot"
Nia's sister moved to India 6 years ago when she was 20. I cant remember why it was something to do with their great grandparents. I think they used to live in India or something, I'll have to ask her.
"Asp? You ok?" Nia asked interrupting me from my thoughts
"Uh yeah… I was just thinking"
"Don't worry. This year is going to be different"
I gave her a weak smile before hearing the bell signaling it was time for class.
"I've got to go, see ya at lunch" I said before hurrying off to Math. Ugh math…
I walk into the classroom and look at the board.
ASSIGNED SEATING, STAND AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS TILL YOU ARE GIVEN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT
I join the back of the class with my other classmates. Nia wasn't in this class so I had no one. Normally she would stand up for me because I can't get a word out without stuttering. I guess that's what dad had done to me.
I try to ignore the glares I get and keep my head down.
"Try and ignore me all you like Cartwright. I might of been away all summer but that doesn't mean your safe" I heard a voice behind me.
Noah… he was in all my classes last year and he made my life a living hell.
"Cat got your tounge? Don't worry I only wanted to look at your timetable" he said before snacking it out of my hand.
Noah looked at if for a second comparing it to his before giving it back to me.
"See you in history" he smirked before walking to his friends.
"OK class listen up. I'm going to say your seat once and only once, if you don't hear it the first time then you will need to speak to me after class." A stern voice shouted above the usual hubub of a classroom.
"Thankyou. So now we'll start at the front of the classroom. Zachery Maddison you are in this seat next to Crissy Thompson…"
I was waiting patiently for my name willing for her to say it before she says Noah's.
"Aspyn Cartwright. You will be sitting on this desk with Noah Gill" She said
It echoed in my ears, Noah? The one person I didn't want to sit next to.
"I..I…" I tried to protest but I couldn't. I saw an evil glint in his eyes as he grabbed my wrist.
"Don't worry miss, I'll be a gentleman" he said before practically forcing me into my seat.
Every so often he would nudge his chair closer to me till they were touching. I could feel his breath on my neck as I felt his hand slowly crawl up through my hoodie and shirt. He was touching my bare skin. What the fuck? One minute he was whispering threats in my ear the next he's shoving his hand up my shirt. The sneaky bastard.
I have to get out off this, but how? His hand was getting higher and higher making my skin crawl. I need to get out of here.
My hand shot up and I gathered all the confidence that I could possibly have. Channel your inner Nia…
"Yes miss Cartwright? Why does it deem so nessacery to disrupt my lesson"
"Can I go to the bathroom?" I said quietly. I didn't like all of these stares I was getting.
"Very well"
Noah smirked at me before squeezing my hip tightly hearing my wince in pain. I practically ran to the bathrooms from the classroom feeling myself becoming weaker. I got to the empty bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I was a mess from the start. My long dirty blonde hair looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge and I wore no makeup because I don't feel confident enough. My hoodie was worn out and my sweatpants look disgusting.
A single tear fell from my face and I watched it fall. It was the only tear I could let fall or there would be more questions. More stares. More gossip. Everything that I hated.
All from a single tear.

OK so that's the first chapter!!!! If this book is too cliche for you I understand. I'm defiantly going to cringe while writing this. Also I'm going to be uploading a chapter of Playing Dressup every Sunday & Friday.
XOXO BlueSkyDays