Sweet Revenge

Come And Sit With Us

After talking to Elliot, I'd remained outside to gather myself before following him back in. I'd pasted a cheery smile on my face as Mason greeted me with drunken elation, his face lighting up as he pulled me to sit on his lap. Jess had watched me with calculating eyes as her gaze flickered from me to Elliot and back again. I could tell she knew something had happened so I purposefully avoided being dragged into conversation with her. While I sat on Mason's lap as he idly played with my hair, my eyes were irresistibly drawn to Elliot. I was morbidly fascinated by him, how he'd somehow evolved into a completely different person from the one I'd known. He carried himself with a strange, undeniable confidence, completely devoid of arrogance but he emanated a steady sense of surety. He socialised in a relaxed and casual way with practically everyone, as girls swarmed him and he chatted with the guys. He seemed to prefer listening and watching, often letting other people do the talking when they conversed, allowing them to babble on, only nodding or inserting something witty here and there. I watched with narrow eyes as Melody slinked up beside Elliot and ran a hand down his forearm, turning him away from his conversation. I watched seething as Melody cocked her hip provocatively and tossed her ice blonde locks over her shoulder. Elliot's eyes flared in recognition, and I knew he was remembering how she tormented him when he was younger. He scanned her up and down, taking in her seductive black corset top and the long length of her exposed legs in her tiny shorts and then he finally looked her in the eyes again. I felt my heart stop when he gave her a tight smile, and said something which made her toss her head flirtatiously and laugh. What? Why would he humour her advances? Surely he hates her as much as he hates me. Technically he should hate her more. Yet I watched open mouthed as he murmured something to her, a smirk playing around his full lips and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. I sat up straighter, causing Mason to pause and draw back from the conversation he's having with Steven Klines, and brush his hand along my leg to check I'm okay. I shot him a reassuring nod and he smiled before going back to discussing rugby. I turn and stare at Melody and Elliot again, my blood boiling. Why would he talk to her? Why would he flirt with her? Melody is cruelty and bitchiness incarnate, she relished torturing Elliot, calling him names and punishing him for his existence. Why would he accept Melody's attentions when she sauntered up to him with no remorse over her past actions, probably not even recognising him, and yet be so callous to me when I'd at least apologised? Not that I thought I was worthy or deserving of his forgiveness, but I was a damn lot more worthy than Melody.
"She works fast I'll give her that." Jess' wry voice sounds from beside me as she takes a seat on the arm of the sofa. She takes a slow sip of her drink, her jade green eyes fixed on Melody and Elliot.
"I don't understand him." I whispered finally. Jess' catlike gaze slid over to me knowingly.
"I take it your little heart to heart didn't go so well." She stated casually. I felt my mouth twist in a frown as I recalled the harsh words he'd said. Harsh, but true. I'd deserved each kick of pain they'd caused when he'd hurled them at me.
"I don't understand." I said again, as I watched him flirt smoothly with Melody. Jess chuckled dryly.
"Ah B. You never did understand. He always hated you the most." She whispered to me as if divulging a great secret, before winking and rising smoothly from the sofa. I watched as she sauntered through the room until she stood beside Melody. Elliot studied her blankly before giving her a tight smile and I watched feeling a strange mixture of betrayal, confusion and unease as the three of them engaged in conversation, though Elliot's responses seemed more strained than they had been earlier in the night.

12 Years Ago
Feeling the eyes of the popular, pretty girls on me like hawks, I walked over to where the boy, Elliot sat. He perked up at my approach, his eyes widening and a faint flush colouring his cheeks. I watched him give an awkward little cough and swallow, adjusting his spectacles again. When I reached him he smiled shyly, tentatively, a gleam of hope in his eyes. He set down his book and fiddled awkwardly with his hands in his lap. "D-Do you...Erm, y-you can sit with m-me if you'd like." He stammered out quietly his cheeks flushing a darker pink. My actions will haunt me forever. Reaching down I picked up his book and threw it on the ground. He gasped quietly, watching me with wide eyes as I slowly and deliberately stamped on the book. The words on the pages became crumpled, ripped and dirty under my pretty shoe. It was an act of mindless cruelty, the type of petty, mean action that is simplistic and juvenile in its callousness. I hear the laughter and delighted whispers of the popular girls from behind me, egging me on. "I'm not a loser like you." I said harshly, and Elliot slowly looked up from his ruined book, laying destroyed in the dirt and dust of the playground. His grey eyes were wide and confused, and a sheen of tears was already starting to gleam. He looked down quickly, swiping angrily at his eyes. "Look at the little crybaby." A sly voice crooned and I turned to see the prettiest, loudest girl, the one with the long blonde curls, the one who'd been in charge. She stepped beside me and gave me a pretty little smile.
"I'm Jess. That was really funny." She said sweetly, before turning to look down at where Elliot sat still looking distraught. She giggled prettily as she stared at him and pressed a hand over her mouth, before looping her arm through mine.
"Come sit with us." She whispered before tugging me away.

I took another sip of my drink before standing up from Mason's lap, deciding to call a taxi and leave. I couldn't be here any longer, Elliot's presence disturbed and unsettled me. He was so changed, so confident, so vehement in his hatred for me. Every time I glanced at him I felt guilt swell up inside me like a tsunami, and every time I saw my friends near him I felt the irrational need to protect him from them. I kissed my distracted boyfriend on the cheek and then walked out to wait in the drive way while I called for a taxi.