How Long Does High School Really Last

chapter two

I get out of the car and go into my house. My dad is on the couch watching tv and I close the door and head to my room. I put everything down and go to the bathroom. I look in the mirror at myself. I see all my imperfections and bruises. I see why nobody likes me.

I get interrupted by Tyler Joseph singing to me that someone is calling me. I see that it's violet and answer.

"Hello?" I say

"Hey I'm here. I'll be in there in a minute." She says hanging up.

I take off my shoes and collapse on my bed. Violet comes in and lays on my bed next to my face.

"I'm sorry this happened." She says

"Its okay." I say closing my eyes.

***

Its the middle of the night. Violet left after dinner and I havent fallen asleep yet because I have a headache.

I practically fly out of my bed as something hits my window. I crawl towards it and peek my head up. Someone is throwing small pebbles at my window. I don't know where it's coming from because its all dark outside the window. It's not Jonathan because his light isnt on. I get the courage to open the window and look down. I see the person and I say "hello?"

"Hey. It's me, FINEapple." Ethan says.

I smile and say "what the hell are you doing throwing rocks at the window? I nearly shit myself."

He laughs and says "I just always wanted to do that. Can I come up?"

"Ugh, not through the window you dumbass. Just come through the door."

"I saw your dad passed out in the window watching tv. And plus, your door is really loud." He says

"Ugh fine but be careful." I say as he starts climbing.

He gets to my window and I help him in. "What are you doing here anyway?" I ask him.

"I heard what happened in p.e. today." He says looking in my eyes.

I look down and say "yeah"

He embraces me in a hug and I wrap my arms around him. "I have to tell you something Ethan." I say and he pulls away from the hug.

"What is it Emma?" He asks me

"I um-thank you for coming over. I really appreciate it." I say.

"Anytime" he says.

"And also, could you stay until I fall
Asleep?" I ask him

"Yeah." He says as he lays on the floor next to my bed. I dose off to sleep in the comfort of his presence.

***

I wake up to someone shaking me.

"If you dare continue to make physical contact with my body again I'll decapitate you." I say with my eyes still closed.

"Well damn, dont go to school then." Ethan says.

I open my eyes and see him standing above my bed.

"Did you sleep here last night?" I ask

"No I left when you fell asleep and came back this morning. Through the door this time." He says

"Haha" I say as I get up and go to the bathroom. He sits on my bed and goes on his phone. I'm in the bathroom and someone knocks on the door.

"Yeah?" I yell

"You got a message from Jonathan." Ethan says confused.

"What does it say?" I ask. Then I think it's probably something from after school. "WAIT NO Ethan don't read it. I'll be out in a minute." I say as I finish up.

I open the door and see him pacing across the room with a murderous look on his face. "What are you doing?" I ask him as he stops pacing and walks to me holding up my phone to me. I look at it and it's the picture that Jonathan took of me through my window.

"Oh my God." I say as I look at not the picture, but what's around it. He screenshoted it from Instagram like he posted it.

"Give me your phone Ethan." I say demandingly as he gives it to me.

I go to Instagram and find Jonathan's account. Sure enough it was right there, with the caption

"what a slut, she knew the curtains were open"

I turn off the phone and put it on my bedside table. I leave the room and Ethan follows asking me as many questions as he can. I ignore him at the moment and go out the door. Ethan follows me as I knock on the next door neighbors door. I'm greeted by Jonathan's mom Hannah.

"Oh hi Emma, its nice to see you again." She says smiling.

"You to Hannah, did Jonathan leave for school yet?" I ask as she moves from in front of the door and says "hes up there still." as She let's me and Ethan in.

I race up the stairs and to his room and swing the door wide open. He looks at me In confusion as he asks me simply "whats up slut?"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I say taking steps towards him. He gets closer to and gets in my face.
"I'm not kidding you." He says as I clench my fists.

"Take, the damn, picture down." I say as our faces are as close as they've ever been before.

"No" he says

Ethan comes up and pulls me back and gets in Jonathan's face, even closer then we were.

"I don't think she made herself clear to you. So I think I'm gonna make it loud and clear." He says as he cracks his knuckles.

"Stop. I wouldn't want Ethan getting hurt from such a coward." I say to them.

"She's right. You wouldn't want to make it even worse for her now would you?" Jonathan says.

Ethan asks me "what is he talking about Emma?"

I can't think of what to say as Jonathan cuts me off "tell him Emma. Tell him about yesterday. Why you got home so late. Actually even better, tell him what you did to isaa-" I cut him off by punching him straight in the nose then kicking him in the nuts.

I grab Ethans hand and run out of the house as fast as I can.

"What was he talking about? Emma, Tell me." He says as he blocks the door so I can't get in.

"Its nothing Ethan. Please move out of the way." I say. He looks at me and picks me up over his shoulder and goes up to my room. He sets me on the bed and sits next to me. He looks me in the eyes and says "I know it's not nothing emma. Everything with Jonathan is something bad."

"Ethan" I say as i put a hand on his shoulder. "I swear, I will tell you everything. But just not today." I say as a tear falls down my face. He hugs me and rubs my back. "Do you want food?" He asks

"Always." I say, getting up and going to the kitchen.

"Actually. Get dressed em. Were going out." He says holding my keys.

"Ugh fine." I say going up to my room.

***

I decided on an oversized hoodie and yoga pants. We walk past stores in the mall and pass Victoria secret. I take a deep breath and signal that I want to go in.

"Ugh I'll meet you in 15 minutes. I am not going in there." He says as I laugh.

I go in and he walks in the other direction. I look at pants and shirts mostly.

By the time I'm done I buy a whole outfit. I see him looking at something in another store. I yell his name and he turns around wearing a pair of sunglasses that were so big on him. I laugh so hard as I walk over. He just chuckles and says "what?"

"Nothing you weirdo." I say as he puts them down and I drag him out of the store and to the food.

***

Ooooo *coughs* "What?" "Nothing" *coughs*
😊😊