Different Inside and Out

Chapter Four

I walk quickly down the hallway, until I halt to a stop while hearing a snicker and one simple word.

‘Loser.’

 I snap my head toward where I heard the rude comment and see Hannah standing before me. I want to yell at her but all that comes out is,

‘Nice one bitch.’ I snort and give her my fakest smile ever and keep walking. I hear the tip tap of shoes close behind me and get grabbed and spun around.

 ‘What did you just call me?’ she asks angrily, digging her nails into my shoulder.

‘You heard me.’ I smirk, not giving a crap of what happens next. She brings her hand up and I expect the collision of her hand across my face until someone grabs her arm. I don’t recognize this boy.

‘Don’t you even think about it Hannah, you know what happened last time.’ He says sternly as she rips her arm out of his strong grip.

‘Don’t you tell me what to do Joel, since when were you the boss of me?’ She spits back.

‘Since I am your older brother, you will do as I say, got it?’ Joel half yells back. Since when did Hannah have a brother?  What did she do last time? How come I have never seen this boy?  Hannah glances at me and gives her older brother a dirty look and storms away.

He turns to me.

 ‘I am so sorry, she just often gets moody if she doesn’t get her own way.’ He shrugs at me and his eyes flicker from me to the door leading to outside.

‘It’s okay.’ I smile nicely at him.

‘I’m Joel.’ He smiles politely back and that’s only when I realise how cute he is. His bright blue eyes complete his shy smile, along with his gelled, almost proper looking hair gives him that nice boy look. I hope he’s as nice as he seems.

‘I am Jess. I don’t think we have met before? I didn’t even know Hannah had an older brother that even goes to this school.’ I stifle out a laugh, mostly fake but he doesn’t seem notice.

‘I only just moved here because my scholarship at my old school ran out, so I just thought it would be easiest if I moved here, and I guess I am liking it so far.’ He glances at me as we walk out of the hallway to outside, smiling shyly at me.

‘Oh, that’s good.’ I don’t know what else to say, but he is very charming.

‘You’re obviously in the same year as Hannah right?’ he asks, keeping the conversation going.

‘Yeah unfortunately.’ He laughs and I join him. ‘What year are you in?’ I ask.

‘Year 11 one above you.’ He smiles and I nod. He keeps the conversation going, asking me about what I think school is like and commenting that he likes the things I wear and that I’m different to everyone else. I felt like I could talk to him forever but our conversation gets stopped when the lunch bell goes.

‘Well that’s my cue you get to class. See you Jess.’ He says politely and rubs my shoulder. I feel a slight stinging.

‘Bye Joel.’ I return the smile and walk off to my locker and then a quick trip to the bathroom. I take a peek at my shoulder and notice four nail marks covered with small dabs of dry blood. I am shocked at the damage and pull my sleeve back down and walk in the direction towards woodwork.

When I arrive, I am glad to see that Ahren or Hannah aren’t in my class. I grab a seat at the empty table at the back and begin another hour and half of class.

*LATER*

As I return home, I decide to take a shower after my first day of Year ten. I wince as the warm water hits my shoulder. I notice it’s starting to bruise around the actual cuts but ignore it. I clean off the dry blood carefully and try to not think about it too much.

As I get out of the shower, I turn on my laptop and see that I have gotten two new friend requests on Facebook, not that I really use it.

Aaron Stringer

I read his name and actually think before accepting his request and but eventually decide to let him be my friend.

Friend Added!

The notification comes up and I sigh. I skim past the second name.

Joel Birch

I frown, not recognising the name until I think of today. I immediately accept his request and think back to the events of today. I smile happily thinking of Joel and I’s conversation and how much I enjoy talking to him. That’s when I think of the experiences Ahren and I had before he chose to hang out with the witch. They’re probably together now…

I stop myself thinking about those two as a couple and jealousy rises in my chest. I don’t want to think about those two together, ever.

I stop myself thinking about Ahren until a message pops up on my screen.

‘I’m sorry. I acted like a complete ass and should’ve never have said what I said especially when I know you don’t like Hannah. Hope you can forgive me. Am still so sorry Jess.’ I read the message twice before I decide to reply.

‘It’s okay, we can talk tomorrow.’ I reply simply and shut my laptop. I feel a little bit of weight lift off my shoulders as I head toward downstairs.