Dead Girls Walking: A Novel

Chapter Three

Marissa

"Marcus is having a little thing after the game tonight. I could give you a ride if you want." Heather said as she began her contour line drawing.

Marissa smiled, grateful for the offer. "Oh, thanks so much. David might be driving me already, but if anything changes I'll let you know."

Something clearly had changed, she thought. David has been ignoring her since he got that weird text this morning. It was fifth period and he hadn't spoken to her at all even thought they had three classes together besides English. He always kept finding an excuse to leave the class. Did she do something? If so, what?

"Well if he doesn't stop being such a pussy, guarantee me your designated driver." Heather declared.

Heather noticing David's strange behavior was something that made Marissa feel a whole lot better. Like she wasn't crazy. "I hope he does. I feel like it was something I did." She added the finishing touches to her sketch of a bouquet.

"Why?" Heather asked.

"I don't know. In the beginning, I felt like he was embarrassed to be seen with me." Marissa looked down at her outfit that consisted of a long red tribal kimono, a tight knit crop top, and ripped jeans that obviously were made before the turn of the century. She was covered in chunky jewelry she got from consignment shops. She wasn't like other girls that went to Chaceton. She wasn't a beach-going insta model. She barely went on Instagram and preferred reading. She wasn't a cheerleader. She was an artist and dancer for the after-school arts program. Her parents weren't lawyers or doctors or finance analysts. Her dad died fighting fires and her mom taught yoga and was a holistic healer. She didn't have a big house. She lived in a tiny apartment with her mom and younger sister. She was no Ashley Stanya or Jasmine Lewis. She was different. That made her upset for a very long time. It even caused her to bring a blade to her arm.

She remembered the first time David came over for dinner, back in May. She didn't mention the fact that they were vegan out of sheer embarrassment. David seemed a little surprised by the black bean meatballs, zucchini pesto pasta, and arugula salad. Marissa could remember her cheeks being red the entire time. But surprisingly, David loved it and was happy to try something new. Since then, he would always have his mom cook her plant-based meals and would take her to the best vegan restaurants on Long Island. He would pay the check, of course. It made her so happy that he was making a great effort to ensure that she was comfortable. He was so caring and sweet.

What made it change?

"Listen, men are idiots. When something's bothering them, they shut down. You should probably try and talk to him." Heather tied her fiery locks back into a ponytail.

"I guess. What if he doesn't wanna talk to me?" Marissa seemed hesitant to confront her boyfriend.

"Then dump his ass." Heather snapped, completely oblivious to Mrs. Khare shooting her a look for cursing in class.

Marissa sighed. She didn't want to break up with David, but she didn't want him to keep treating her this way either. It was so hard to decide. This was her first relationship; she didn't understand how everything worked yet. They were so young. Things shouldn't have to get so complicated.

Finishing up her drawing, Marissa began to scroll through her sketchbook, trying to erase David out of her mind. A drawing from a few weeks ago caught her attention. Mrs. Khare gave them the assignment to draw their most painful memory. She drew a girl with long strawberry blonde hair, pale skin and eyes the color of chocolate. The look on her face was not just of fear, but of a deep, deep sadness. One that takes an eternity to get over.