Our Differences

Chapter 5

Felicity's POV

This was the second time I was walking to school on my own. I felt lonely without Jill. I hung my head low as I walked pass the group of cool kids. They started taunting me and calling me names. 

"Loser!"

"Ugly!"

"Nobody loves you!"

"Freak!"

"Idiot!"

It kept going. Everyone turned and whispered as I passed. Some snickered at me while others just look away. I noticed Chloe bite her lip in discomfort. I fought the urge to cry. No one likes me and I don't know why. 

Chloe. I thought, clenching my fists. She started this. This is all her fault. 

Suddenly, all that friendliness I felt towards her before died away, leaving a sense of hatred and dislike. 

"I'll get back at you someday, Chloe." I muttered under my breath as I walked into the library. "And the score will be even. Just as it should be." 

I sat at my usual spot but I didn't get a book. Instead, I brainstormed ideas on how to get my revenge on Chloe. I saw her walking outside with her friends but then I noticed how quiet she was and I swore I saw just a wee bit of sadness nestled in her deep blue eyes. Suddenly, it hit me. 

What am I doing? I thought. Revenge doesn't fix anything. The bell rang and I got up to head to class. Never attempt revenge ever again. It brings no benefits even if it gives you satisfaction.

I sat in my seat and drafted my stories in my notebook while waiting for the teacher. It was Geography lesson and Mr. Tyson entered the class. 

"Alright, students." he said, after we greeted him. "Please hand in your Geography homework."

 We proceeded to hand in our work starting from the back and passing it to the girl sitting at the front of each row. We always do it this way whenever we hand in homework.

Again, being the clumsy that I am, I couldn't find my Geography exercise book. I searched through my bag and was about to have an epic meltdown when I found it but didn't realize it since I was in such a rush. I opened up my book to the page which I had done my work in when I realized that I didn't answer five questions! And Mr. Tyson was really fierce. I couldn't do anything but pray that Mr. Tyson wouldn't be too hard on me. I handed in my book, crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. 

Mr. Tyson started rambling on and on about some sort of boring stuff. I bet everyone would've taken a snooze by then. He then gave us homework and then told us that there'd be a pop quiz the next day so we'd better be prepared. Everyone groaned and some pleaded him to call it off. He threatened to give more homework and another pop quiz the day after if we continued 'this nonsense'. 

We quietened down but some still whispered complains to their partners. Mr. Tyson couldn't be bothered and he just got to work marking books. Soon, Geography was over which was awful because he hadn't marked by book yet. I'd rather get this over with ASAP than be left hanging. 

During lunch, all I did was shove the food around my tray. I felt my high black ponytail being tugged at. Hard. 

"Let go!" I yelled. I whipped around fiercely and saw Kristen smirking and covering her mouth with her hand. 

I stole a glance at Chloe who was standing at the back of the group. She just gave a small smile and shuffled her feet. 

"Aw, poor thing. Got your hair pulled at?" Jennifer teased. 

"What are you going to do about it, huh?" 

"And where'd you get those shoes? The dumpster?" Mira sneered. 

Chloe, help me out here. I said in my head, hoping she'd be able to read my thoughts. She bit her lip as Kristen whispered something in her ear. 

She stepped in front of the group and stared at me. "Nobody likes you." she finally said. "Maybe that's why Jill left. Maybe she just wanted to get away from you and your tacky outfits. She just doesn't want to be your friend anymore, loser." 

"Oh.... Snap!" a guy said from a table and his friends joined in. 

Of all the things Chloe has said to me, this hurt the most. I fought the urge to cry. She continued biting her lip, turned and snapped her fingers, signalling her devoted friends to follow. Jennifer stuck her tongue out and snapped her fingers at my face before walking away.

I sat back down and nearly cried. What would Jill have said to me if she were here? 

"Don't worry, Fe." she would say. "Show them you are strong and deserve respect like any other human in this world." 

She was so positive and would tell me to be too. I threw all my food away. I had no more appetite. After school, I walked home alone. I thought that Chloe'd be nicer than I thought. That there'd be a side of her I've never seen before. A softer, kinder side. Guess I was wrong. There is absolutely no way the Queen of Mean was going to be nice to me.

That was when I remembered what she told me when she came over that day. She said that being Queen Bee was hard because everybody expected her to be just another stereotypical mean girl. The world is a twisted place. But I just wished Chloe would've stood up for herself and do what's right than let the entire student body of Evermore High define her. But am I also letting them define me by letting them bully me and give me labels? I don't know.

I went home that day and saw my mother sitting on the couch twiddling her fingers. 

"Hey there, sweetheart." she greeted with a smile. 

"M-mom?" I said, surprised. "What are you doing here? Did something happen?" 

She shook her head. "No, no." she said. "I just decided that I should become a stay-at-home mom instead. We hardly see each other and your father and I have decided that we should strengthen our bond as a family. So I'm not working anymore." 

I was really excited. I figured things would be better for all of us. I could already picture us as the happy family I've always wanted us to be.

But at night, while I was snuggling under the blanket, I heard a man's voice. It was loud and rather angry. I covered my ears with my pillow. Just when I thought it was all over.... A woman's voice yelled back with an equally angry tone. I couldn't quite recall what was said but I knew it wasn't good. My parents were always arguing. They'd never stop fighting. I allowed the tears to trickle down my face. When, oh, when would this stop?!