The Demons Among Us

Discovering Gold

I told the others about my experience at the water park, and it wasn't until the middle of 7th grade year when Sierra screwed up and talked crap about Samantha to a snitch who was much to eager to give the information out that our group split up. Things got a little easier, instead of having to see Sierra's smug smile all day long, I only had to see her a couple of hours when i had a class with her. Life was good until one morning.

I was heading out to school when a tidal wave of nausea cascaded over me. I rushed to the bathroom but didn't throw up. My mom let me stay home that day, and the next, and the next. This pattern continued for a while with me only going to school once or twice a week. On the third week of this, she was convinced I was faking and sent me to school. I was super queasy and couldn't even walk very far without having to lean on something to support my weight. I sat next to the restroom constantly checking my watch praying class would start already. That's when my stomach made a powerful lurch, I dashed in the bathroom throwing myself down on my knees by the toilet without bothering to close the stall doors. I clutched onto the toilet seat not caring how filthy it was and breathed hard. I waited a second but the only thing that came was the bell signaling us to go to class.

I felt like a fool, everyone was probably staring but when I turned around there was only one person. At that moment, throwing up all over that person didn't sound like a bad idea.

"Woah are you ok? You're not pregnant are you? I mean it's ok if you are," Sierra smiled down at me.

"I'm fine thank you," I mumbled standing up and walking past her to the sink.

"Wow, I didn't know you actually went that far with Pete," Sierra followed me.

"I didn't do anything with him,"I growled scrubbing my hands hard.

"So is it Malik's?" She pressed.

"I'm not pregnant," I flared.

She held her hands up surrendering,"I'm just playing, you know I'd never be that cruel."

I didn't respond and just watched as she waved and left.

I splashed some water on my face and hastily left. As I was walking to my homeroom, Malik came up to me. We "dated" in 6th grade but I'd hardly use that term we never even held hands, well I "broke up" with him and he hated me ever sense. The same goes for Pete, I was just a child, we had no business "dating".

"Why did you tell Sierra I slept with you?" He hissed.

"I never said that, I would never say that," I exclaimed shocked.

"I don't need your lies. Cut it out or I'll see you in the principal's," he pushed past me.

"Malik," I called after him but he was gone. Tears balanced on the rims of my eyes as I walked into class. Lynn sat right next to me luckily and she smiled at me as soon as I sat down.

Her look immediately turned serious when she saw the tears become more and more visible,"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," that was the first time I lied by using that phrase and it wasn't going to be my last. As the announcements came on, my nausea grew. And by the time they were finished, I was sicker than a dog. However that was the last thing on my mind, I really cared about Malik and I was terrified how he saw me now that Sierra told him a big lie. I hoped she was considerate enough to not spread that rumor further only because not only would she hurt me but she'd hurt an innocent bystander. Then I began to think what if she really did. Or what if she did something worse. What if she never stopped and she just followed me my whole entire life forbidding me to ever be happy.

"Woah, what's wrong?" Lynn whispered and thats when I realized how much I was crying. The whole class was looking at me now, including Sierra from across the room.