Never There ~ A Jelsa Story~

35; Beautiful or Beastly Friends

The kids and I make our way to my old secondary. As we arrive at the black, iron gates, I remember how scared I was to come here for the first time as a little year 7. Now I'm happy. The building hasn't changed much. It's a little paler, which shows me that they haven't repainted the school, but apart from that, it's my old little school. 

Suddenly I worry about whether or not Belle is still here. We lost contact after I was married, and so I have no idea whether she made it into the sixth form. I hope I haven't come here for no reason! Or perhaps Belle has changed her hair or something? Will I recognise her? I could tell that she would turn into a girl who would make herself up into something different. 

The bell rings and I feel nervous. Why am I anxious about seeing rows of kids in sweet uniforms? There's nothing scary about that. Maybe it's embarrassing that a grown woman is standing outside of the school, her makeup smudged and her clothes torn. Or... perhaps it's the embarrassment that I may have nausea again... and that I will vomit in front of people I may have gone to school with? Yep, it's probably that. 

I can feel the sickness again. I hate this. The older I get, the more it tires me. I can't do this anymore... 

I then see her, and it takes away my personal worries. But they get replaced with worries for her. She has changed herself. She's not the beauty I used to know. She looks hideous, as far as I'm concerned. How can the teachers allow this? Her hair is vibrant purple, and it looks like it has been dyed and straightened so much it's about to drop out. Her skin is so much paler, from the heaps of foundation that has been placed on it. Belle has several piercings, one in her nose, one in her lip, and I can see that as she is speaking to her similar friends, she also has a sparkling spot on her tongue. Her lips are as red as blood, and the skin around her eyes are ebony black from makeup. She has tattoos all over her arms, which are shown by her skin-tight red tank top. My old friend has two small rings on her belly button as well. The last things I can see are her incredibly short skirt and her killer high heels. How can she ruin herself like this? How did I even recognise her? 

I falter before I call out to her. Seeing this, I can't even be sure whether or not she still refers to herself as Belle! I doubt it. 

"B-Belle? I-is that you?" I whisper, but she hears me. 

"I'll catch ya later, Shark!" she says to her friends, rolling her eyes as she glances at me. She comes over though. "So, whatcha doin'? Why've ya come 'ere? There's nuttin' to see 'ere. It's an 'ideous dump."

I stare at her, trying to work out this slang. I miss the old Belle, with her sweet little brunette curls. "You are different... Belle..." I say, and she laughs.

"Ha, Belle? Stupid name, that. I'm Vamp, now. I'm gonna change my name legally to it when I get out of here. I wanted to do it as soon as I turned 18, but the school didn't want me to. Messes up their records, or something like that. Who cares?"

"Short for Vampire?" It fits her appearance and her personality. Well, her new ones. "You probably won't care... I don't know why I did come here. You're right. I'm wasting my time."

"I'm always right. I'm the leader. They call me Queen Vamp, though I prefer King Vamp. It describes me better than Queen. Queens are frilly and pretty."

"Not all queens. It's offensive to say that..." I tell her, looking at my children. I don't want to make them like this. 

"Who cares? I don't!"

"Well.. I should go..." I say, feeling sick again. It's stronger. I have to go before I puke in front of her. I'd be a laughing stock.

"Fine, bye, bye, Princess Elsa!" 'Vamp' says, in her new sarcastic tone.