The Demons Among Us

An Old "Friend"

Freshman year started of normal. There were a few bumps in the road but nothing crazy enough to throw me off course. One of Lynn's friends moved which pretty much shattered their trio and she came back to be just as close as she always was. Life was fine and tolerable. One afternoon in P.E, a new girl was introduced to the class.

"Everyone I want you to meet, Cecily. She moved here from another city so we should welcome her with open arms," Our gym teacher smiled.

"Looks kinda weird to me," one of my friends whispered behind me. She did look strange but she had some sort of exotic beauty to her. Her poofy hair created a mane around her flawless face and her mismatching patterned clothes flattered her figure perfectly. Yet there was something recognizable about her and I couldn't pin point what it was exactly. She sat in front of me in roll call order and I didn't say a word to her.

Days past and then she walked up to me.

"Hi, do you remember me?" She asked a nervous smile on her face.

"I thought I recognized you from somewhere but I'm sorry I can't pinpoint it," I answered honestly.

"Yeah, I had a class with you in fifth grade. I tried hanging out with you and your friend but you told me I couldn't because your friend didn't like me," she smiled but I could tell it hurt her.

"Are you sure it was me?" I was shocked how could I ever say something like that?

"Yes and I remember your rings," I looked down still wearing the same exact rings I always wore wondering how she could remember them from so long ago.

"I'm so sorry, I truly am. I don't know why I would be so cruel to you," I apologized knowing it wasn't enough.

"It's fine. You said we could still be friends and we were," she smiled.

"I know it's not fine. I will make it up to you. If you want me to do anything I will," I told her as we were walking to the locker room.

"Like what?" I blanked.

"I don't know I just feel really bad about it," she just smiled and said it was fine and then left to her locker. All week that was bugging me. How could I do that to someone? How did she have the courage to confront me? It was a mind boggling mystery that I kept bringing up to my friends.

Finally one of them got sick of it and said one morning,"Why do you even care? Apparently you're a bitch so don't even try to fix it because you're just going to fuck things up more. I'm sorry but we're all sick of hearing about your fucking problems." After that I kept silent. Scared who else secretly hated me. Everyday I thought they didn't like me, that everyone put on a fake smile and tolerated me. Sometimes I would see them roll their eyes when I was talking or give each other a look and I would cringe. It suited me right though, I was now in the same position as I put Cecily through. Karma is justice in its most natural form.