Survival

Chapter 33

Elsa was waiting by Jack's locker.

It's Monday, and she can't believe she still has to courage to do what she planned since Saturday.

She plans on telling him that Luke is selling drugs. Then, Jack can call the police without her doing it and getting into trouble and being questioned. Luke will get sent to jail. And she can finally get rid of that bastard.

Elsa is only waiting for the bell to ring. So she's been hiding in corners and crevices of the halls and lockers every time school faculty walks by so she won't get in trouble for skipping class.

It should almost be the end of second period.

Elsa actually just arrived at school. She hastily got dressed, grabbed her bag, and stormed off.

The drugs are finally taking their toll on her. Elsa is a mess. She is sloppy in every regard. She sleeps all day, and can barely concentrate. Elsa has let herself go. There was only enough time for her to get a scarf and stay in the same clothes as yesterday before running off to school. Plus, she hasn't eaten in over a day.

She was so late for school that when she ran from the house, she almost slipped from the snow. Luckily, the snow was minimal, so she didn't slip too badly.

On the walk to school, Elsa couldn't help but feel nervous. Not only is she going to speak to Jack, but Luke is going to get what he deserves.

Then, the bell rings.

Students already crowd the hall. Elsa still waits patiently by Jack's locker.

Don't be nervous. Don't be nervous.

Elsa looks to see if she can spot him. And when she does, her heart starts to beat frantically. Her hands even start sweating.

He looks good. Jack has always looked good. Currently, he is dressed in black jeans with a navy blue sweatshirt. He always looked good no matter what he wore. One of his many charms.

It wasn't until he was a few yards away did he notice her.

Jack stops his pace for a second when he looks at her, and then continues walking.

Something flashes across his face; an unreadable emotion.

When he gets to his locker, he looks at her from head to toe and frowns. He opens his mouth to say something but closes it.

Instead, Jack turns to his locker and opens it.

"J-Jack?"

Oh, god. Maybe this was a terrible idea. Just tell him before you chicken out!

But she can't even look at him! Especially after Saturday with what Luke made her do, forcing her to say Jack's name as he raped her.

Jack only rummages through his locker. When he has his stuff put away, he closes the locker and faces her.

His expression is completely blank.

Tell him, Elsa. Tell him now.

"I-I wanted to t-talk to you about something. You should know—"

"Stop, Elsa," Jack interrupts. "Don't say anything further."

She blinks at him in confusion. Also, she was transfixed upon hearing his voice. It's been a long time since she's heard him speak.

"Whatever it is," Jack goes on, "I don't want to hear about it."

Her heart stops at those words.

"You ended things with us," he points a finger at her. "We left in a terrible place. I tried to fix it, but you made it very clear, very specific on what you wanted. You wanted me to leave you alone. I understand. I've been doing that."

Elsa starts to shift anxiously. With one hand, she tugs at the end of her scarf.

When Elsa doesn't say anything, he continues.

"It hurt what I did. And I'm sorry. But it hurt more when you just shut me out. I just don't think it's fair you suddenly decide to talk to me because you need something." Jack runs a hand through his messy hair, agitated.

"You told to leave you alone, and now your speaking to me again? And then what? Are you going to ignore me again? No. Whatever it is, figure it out on your own. You wanted us to be done, so we're done."

He's right. He's absolutely right. Elsa is the reason why he hasn't reached out. Because she told him not to.

"Getting over you was painful. And I wouldn't be able to do it again. So, don't lead me on." His voice trembles at the last part.

Try! Try one more time, Elsa! Try to tell him!

"Jack? L-Listen to what I—"

"No," he cuts in, looking annoyed and frustrated. "Did you not hear what I just said?"

"B-But it's important!" She complains, ready to start crying. This cannot be happening!

Jack shakes his head. "I'm done here. I have to go." He looks at her one more time. "Take care, Elsa."

Elsa felt so embarrassed.

This was an awful idea. What a horrible idea.

She has no words. There's nothing she can say or do that will make Jack listen to her.

One more time! One. More. Time.

"Jack—" she begs.

But he walks away.

She leans against the lockers, fisting her hands to keep them from shaking.

Elsa stares at him until he disappears around a corner. He doesn't even bother to look behind him.

She stands motionless, people walking past her.

It was until minutes pass when the halls are finally cleared, Elsa still lingering in her spot by the lockers.

In a quiet voice, as if Jack was still standing in front of her, she whispers, "Luke raped me, Jack. He raped me."

After replaying what just happened, Elsa grabs her bag from where she left it on the floor, and walks.

She leaves the campus.

And she's never coming back.

*•*•*•

Turn around, you idiot. Turn around!

No.

You've been wanting to talk to Elsa for weeks. She finally decided to speak to you and you're just going to walk away!?

Jack tries not to let his conscious take over.

But it's true. He's been waiting for Elsa to come up to him. Only he was not expecting to say what he said.

It looked like she had something important to say. Important enough that she decided talk to him again.

But he dismissed her.

Elsa is a big girl. Whatever it was she needed, she can take care of it herself.

But something doesn't sit well within Jack.

When he saw her, she looked...awful. Her cheeks looked starved, her eyes were hollow and vacant, and showed no signs of life.

Elsa looked like a corpse.

And yet he walked away. He should have at least asked her what was wrong. But it's too late now.

When Jack walked away, Elsa looked ready to cry. For a second, it looked like she was going to beg for him to listen.

It's not too late to turn around!

But he meant what he said her.

Jack was—and still is—trying to get over her. He did his best to reach out to her and she pushed him away. So it'll be easier if he just kept his distance from her. For good.

It's for the best.