Trust Me

bASStard

A crowd had made a circle surrounding me, Lucas, Noah, Jax, and Mason. The latter was having an intense stare of with my new bestie, and I was internally freaking out.

"Why do you even care about her? She's just a piece of trash!"

I listened with interest, because I truly wanted to know, too. Sure, we had a lot of fun last night, (gods, that sounds dirty af) but standing up to the most popular guy at school for wittle old me is next level stuff!

Jackson growled. Like, seriously, I'm not shitting you. He legit growled.

"Don't you dare call her trash! You're the only piece of shit I see around here."

I saw Mason tense up, his arms twitching to throw a punch, and I was instantly reminded of my father. That was enough to scare me off, but the insane anger Mason felt did not make Jax back down.

"Jax, it's fine. Let's just get to class," I pleaded, tugging on his arm. He glanced at me, his eyes burning with rage.

"No, Jasmine, it's not fine," he hissed. "You let this ass walk all over you!"

I glared at him. "I'm strong. I can take it."

"You're not strong, Jasmine. You won't stand up to him. That makes you weak."he snapped cruelly. I let go of his arm and stepped back. His words pierced my chest.

Weak. He called me weak.

"Weak!" Father yelled. "You're nothing more than a weak, ugly piece of trash! Nobody will ever love you!"

"You're weak!"he taunted. "She's gone because of you! You don't deserve to live when she doesn't!"

I closed my eyes. He didn't mean that. He was just angry. Breathe in. Breathe out.

"Jackson, seriously. Let's GO,"I demanded. He ignored me and punched Mason in the gut.

And thus a war began

----------------------------------------------

I walked as fast as I could to the library. I needed a book to take me out of reality.

Mason and Jackson had a rather bloody fight, resulting in them both being sent to the principal's office. They are suspended for three days, which is quite a relief because I didn't want to face Jackson. I know that he was only upset with me because I wouldn't stand up to Mason, and I know that he wasn't aware of what the word "weak" would do to me, but I still felt pain every time I pictured his face. I hated thinking that Jackson could be a completely different person, one that was so much like the father I came to school to escape. Violent, angry, and rude.

Sure, Mason was a terrible person. Physically, what he did was much worse than Jackson's actions, but Mason was Mason. He's just an unloved bully looking for entertainment, wanting to belong. That was no excuse, of course, but knowing that he's just another sad hater in this cruel world lessened that pain.

But Jackson was my friend. He was nice and loving, and hilarious. When someone you know, and truly like, does something that hurts you, you feel pain 1,000 times worse than the kick of some bully.

I sat down on a cushioned chair, but before I could kick back and read, Noah and Lucas interrupted me. I internally groaned. I really don't need to deal with their shit right now.

"When were you planning on telling us about what Mason does to you everyday?" Lucas demanded. I glared at him. Who did he think he was?

"I am not obliged to tell you anything. You aren't my friends. And I don't want your pity or your help," I sneered. I didn't need anyone.