Its Not Living (If Its Not With You)

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A few minutes later, Jessica's house

The two teenagers went back to Jessica's house and Jessica had picked up a special shampoo on the way, as well as a dog grooming set and a new leash collar, as the one Matty had on was fit for Blue.

Once he was washed, checked for ticks and nails clipped, he felt like a million dollars. Jessica spent a summer at a grooming studio when she was 14, and needed a summer job. All the costumers she had given service to were devastated when she stepped down from her job to focus on schoolwork, and it felt great to be back at something she really missed.

She noticed how much Matty adored it when she was gentle with him. It reminded her of Hannah in a way, as he was an innocent, loving adorable soul who deserved love only.

She always wondered what it'd be like to have a dog of her own, just a little ball of fluff to run around the place and chew up things. She was liking this feeling already.

The next day

Jessica had let Matty sleep in the bed with her until she bought him a real bed of his own. She had intended on putting a hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket next to him as he slept, but when she went into bed, he snuggled up right next to her and fell asleep in an instant. She found it extraordinary as he had just left an abusive environment.

When she woke up, she left him out for a few minutes to go to the toilet, then fed him and brought him back into her room onto her bed. He rolled up into a ball and slept. She smiled as she headed out the door and down the stairs to meet Clay outside.

At school

They walked through the halls, and everyone stopped and stared at them. Jessica kept walking on and she walked up to her locker beside Hannah's, and she saw people had decorated it with pictures and stickers and Post it notes with condolences on them. She then moved her eyes over to a table, which had been set up as a memorial.

All done by people who had no idea who she truly was. To most, she was now "suicide girl". To Clay, she was his best friend. And to Jessica, she was the girl who taught her how to love.

"Hey, Jess! How're you keeping?"

She looked behind her and saw Bryce standing there. She couldn't take it.

"You.", she said with anger and tears, as she brought her hand up to smack him.

Clay instead went over to him and punched him.

Jessica couldn't bear to watch as a fight broke out in the hall. She ran into the bathroom and locked herself into a stall. She calmed her heartbeat and then looked up at the doors and what was written.

"Jessica Dyke. Jess the drunk slut. Baker's bitch. SHE'S DEAD. GET OVER IT. I'm so sorry she didn't go sooner. I DON'T CARE. Suicide girl. Jessica and Hannah shagging on the bed."

She ran out of the bathroom and back into the hall, where there was a full on match between Clay and Bryce. She ran though the crowds and back outside and felt herself begin to hyperventilate.