Jenny
I am different after fighting Nick. When I was younger, I just saw him as an older and notorious bully. As I got older I tried to put myself in his shoes and think about his life. He gets bullied like me but he became a bully while I try to stick up for people. Now however, I have less empathy when it comes to Nick. Nevertheless, I believe he has his reasons for being the way he is. One day, Katy, Drew and I are walking around near the school. Me and Drew are holding hands leaving Katy in an awkward third wheel position. “I have got to get a boyfriend.” She whines. “You sure about that?” I ask. I think about how if she gets a boyfriend she’ll have to hide her cuts from him and lie. Either that or be honest and risk getting judged or him leaving her. “I’m so lonely.” She admits softly. Drew grins at me. I offer him a small smile but I do feel bad for Katy. “Hey look!” Drew says sticking out his finger. “That restaurant needs workers.” I follow his finger to a place called Le Café. It’s an adorable place with neon lights and peace signs. “Ew.” Katy moans. “It’s too bright!” Drew cries covering his eyes. “Stand back and watch the mature fourteen year old get her first real job.” I announce proudly.
Having just turned fourteen, I got my working papers and have been looking for a job. “Really? In there?” Katy asks skeptically. I nod. “Better than being unemployed.” I point out. “You’re only fourteen.” Drew insists. “So I’m at the legal working age.” I run across the street and look back at Katy and Drew. “Wish me luck!” I call across the street. “Good luck!” Drew shouts happily. “Go die in a hole!” Katy jokes. I stick out my tongue. She doesn’t really like Drew since he lies to me sometimes. But really, he’s the one who always supports me and she just puts me down. She’s only joking though. She’s my best friend. I walk into Le Café. I grin when I see the only four people working there look my age. “Hey friendly flowers, how old do you need to be to work here?” I ask a girl in a neon blue shirt that says Le Café. She is tall with curly brown hair. “How old are you?” she asks. “Fourteen.” I reply. “Then fifteen.” She smirks. “Oh come on! There’s no way everyone here is fifteen.” I argue. I look to see the only person shorter than me is a boy wearing an orange shirt. “How old are you? Twelve? Thirteen?” I demand. Okay, he’s a little taller than me. “Fifteen.” He holds back a laugh. “Yeah right.” I look to another girl in a red shirt. She’s taller than me but looks to be around thirteen. Maybe fourteen. “How old are you?” I ask. “Sixteen.” She says annoyed. “She actually is sixteen.” A boy in yellow insists. “So that means he was lying.” I say pointing to the boy in orange. “Kay we’ve had enough of you little girl. You can’t work here.” The boy in yellow says firmly.
“Who’s your boss?” I demand. “I’m giving you ten seconds.” The boy threatens. “What are you gonna do?” I taunt. “One . . . Two . . .” He folds his arms. “You can’t hit me.” I look up at him. “Three . . . Four . . .” He steps toward me. “And you’re like twice my size. Not a fair fight.” I come up to about his shoulder. “Five . . . Six . . .” He sounds impatient. “Just let me see the owner of this place.” I plead. “Seven . . . Eight . . .” His voice is getting louder. I look to see an employee’s only door. I start walking towards it. “I would leave.” The boy in orange insists. “No way.” I rush to the door. “Nine, ten!” the boy in yellow finishes. He runs over to me and grabs me. “Hey!” I snap. He flings me over his shoulder like I’m a dishrag and starts walking. I’m not very skinny so his strength surprises me. “Oh my God.” The girl in red says between giggles. “Put me down!” I snap. He keeps walking toward the door. “This is injustice!” I shout as he carries me out the door. He sets me down outside. “Now stay.” He says turning and walking inside. Drew and Katy are waiting for me outside. “Um . .. I’m assuming that didn’t go well.” Katy says laughing. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
