Learn Your Lesson

Chapter 2

In the early years of year nine, Jennifer and I were inseparable. She looked incredibly grown up now. Her chest was just about developed; thank god mine had finally grown, although it was nowhere near as big as Jennifer’s. She wore her year seven dress so the buttons strained across her chest and it would be impossible to bend over. Boys went crazy over Jen, especially their maturity at age fourteen/fifteen. They practically drooled over her. She was the prettiest girl in the school, except for a girl in year twelve, but by next year she would easily be at the top.

                She had gone out with just about every boy in our year, half in the year above and maybe a quarter of the guys in year twelve. It seems impossible how she’s managed all the time. And with obsession, comes tradition.

                Every new boy that arrives at the school, Jennifer latches onto them, no matter their current stereotype. She once went out with this boy, Charlie Andrews. The school geek now. Jennifer was placed a bet by some people in our year to go out with him for a week, and of course she went for it. By the time the week was up, she was saved from endless Starwars quotes and Chess strategy plans. Only Charlie gave his heart out to her, and now, even in my current year of eleven, he still hasn’t changed, and wants Jen more than anything. I feel sorry for him, especially the way Jen treats him now. No matter personality, no one would ever reject Jennifer. Especially Ashley.

                She was fairly new in year nine, and hadn’t made any friends. She would often walk alone, and shadow other people’s groups. I barely acknowledged her until she began following Jen and I.

                “For fruit’s sake, I’m so goddamn hungry!” she whined as she stomped her foot in the canteen. She caught my eye.

                “Lids, babes, do you have any money for me?”

                “No. Sorry,” I lied.

                “You bullcrap artist. Seriously, you’re meant to be my best friend, meaning when I’m starving to death, you have to save me.”

                “But you’re-”

                “Here you go Jennifer!” a voice shot out, including a twenty dollar note.

                “See, this is better service. Thanks Amanda.”

                “Ashley,” the voice corrected her in a squeak. I turned around and gave Ashley a small angry stare. She noticed and hung her head low, honey-hazel hair flowing across her green eyes. And just like that, Ashley began to tag around with us. Joking with Jennifer, giving her whatever she wanted; playful pushes if Jennifer said something bitchy about her. I was the shadow once again: trailing alongside them without a word.

                “For godsake, lighten up Lid!” Jen pushed me. She often misinterprets her strength against my puny body, which of course fell forcefully on the ground – even though the push wasn’t too powerful. Jennifer and Ashley snorted, laughed and kept laughing. They were saying stuff to me, but I couldn’t hear them. My eyes were filling with tears and my ears became just as blocked.

                I spent that lunchtime in the bathrooms. Only when I came out, Jen was there without Ashley. She apologized sweetly, linked my arm and I was almost certain we were the best of friends again.

                The next week came though, and Ashley’s hair had been cut a lot shorter, barely passing her ear lobes. Jennifer’s hair looked longer though (obviously hair extensions even though she denied it,) and she’d dyed it a dark caramel.