The Perks of Being a Freak (Editing)

73. My Snow Day, pt 2

But that afternoon my perfect snow day took a turn for the worse.

Mom, who seemed to forget that she was angry at me and me at her, sent me out to get groceries. However, she refuse to give me the keys to the car, because “the store is only twenty minutes away”, “you’re grounded”, and “it’s not that cold. You can wear a coat.” (It was fifteen degrees.)

So thirty minutes later (I had to avoid ice and snowbanks), I was bundled up, still shivering, and in the middle of downtown. Thankfully the grocery store was open, and they had the heat on. I took my time, double checked the list, tossed in a few things that I needed. (Read: tampons and chocolate.)

And then I packed it all into the backpack I had thought to bring. There was no way I would survive the walk back if I had to carry a bunch of bags. I’d probably get nerve damage or hypothermia or something. Which would kinda suck. I liked my hands.

I was crossing the railroad when I met Jaeb, Mitchell, and Simon. I saw Simon’s downcast, guilty eyes, and bolted.

Help, help, help, I chanted, ducking under Jaeb’s swing. Guys please. Tony and Benny. Shit! You guys are close, right?!

Three minutes, Lia, Benny sounded out of breath, as if he were already running, and I felt a surge of warmth. They would come. They would rescue me.

Because right now I was trapped in my clothes. I wouldn’t be able to fly if I wanted. And I really did want to fly. Flying would mean that I could get out of there. Flying would mean that I would be safe.

I darted down one of the less populated streets. If there was going to be a fight, I didn’t want innocent people anywhere near it. Quickly, I glanced over my shoulder. They were still following me.

Jaeb came out of nowhere, and kicked my leg out from under me. I went sprawling forward on my stomach, thankfully not crushing the groceries or my wings.

“What is your problem?!” I shrieked as I stood and spun to face her. “Honestly what the fuck do you want from me?!”

“We want you and your buddies to leave,” Jaeb crossed her arms and cocked her hips. I tried to bite back the anger that was welling. 

“Well I can’t,” I snarled. “I would, except that I don’t get to choose where I live.”

“Who does, then?” Mitchell was panting, leaning against the brick wall of the tall building we were next to. I pressed a palm to my eye, trying to relieve the headache that I could feel approaching.

“My parents,” I growled. “You do know what parents are, don’t you?”

I realized when all three of them flinched that I had crossed a line.

Which was kind of funny, y’know? I felt bad about crossing a line even though two of the three of them made it their daily goal to try and hurt me.

“I’m sorry,” I shook my head. “I’m being a bitch, and I’m sorry. I’m gonna go now.”

“What, you’re not going to fight us?” Jaeb taunted angrily. “Are you afraid?”

“No,” I turned and started walking away. “I’m not afraid.”

“Then fight!” I heard Simon gasp, and turned into her fist. Now I stumbled back, squinting against the sharp ache that covered half of my face. Jaeb didn’t stop. Her knee came up into my stomach, and then a hand came down at the top of my spine. Stabbing pain erupted all down my back and my abdomen. I fell to the ground and lay as she brought her leg back to kick me in the collar. I could tell something was about to break, but I couldn’t move fast enough.

“Hey!” Benny shouted. Jaeb stumbled back as the two boys ran up. Tony lifted me to my feet without decorum or chivalry.

“Damn, Lia,” he snickered. “She got you pretty good.”

“Go to hell,” I rasped, pressing a handful of snow over my eye.

“C’mon, Tony,” Benny growled. “Let’s teach them a lesson.”

Tony grinned, and punched one hand into his other. Flames burst across his skin, and I shied away. I could see Jaeb and Mitchell, looking just as eager for a fight. But Simon had his eyes locked on me, apologetic, afraid, worried. I tried to smile at him, but it morphed into a grimace when the motion pulled at my bruising cheek.

Fucking Jaeb.

Tony tackled Mitchell, and Benny stood his ground as Jaeb flitted around him, punching and kicking. That left Simon and me.

Well shit.