Maybe One Day

17: Girls Can Be Cruel

*Lemme know what ya think :)*

After staying home for four days, well basically in bed for four days, I finally decided to go back to school. Over the last week, something has changed in me. I'm no longer afraid of what Matt or Skylar can do because frankly, I just don't care anymore.

The other thing that has changed is that me and my mom have a pretty great relationship now. She talked to my dad about paying more attention to me, so one problem had been solved.

When I get to the kitchen, I greet both my parents which they return with the typical smiles and good-mornings. My dad even put down his newspaper and asked me how school had been going and gave me a stern lecture about keeping my grades up. I smiled at this; being lectured by my father was about ten times better than being ignored by him.

As I drive past the park on my way to school, I see Mae, Parker and Riley sitting on the benches smoking. Suddenly it doesn't look as appealing as it did a month ago. I had no desire to stop and smoke some with them, and I don't really know what changed. For some reason I was back to being myself, and I liked it.

When I walk into school, I tense up when I see Skylar in her tight black leggings and low-cut crop top, and her posse coming down the hallway toward me. I keep walking, watching her carefully.

"Nice shoes, skank," she scoffs at me.

"Nice cameltoe, bitch," I say back. I keep walking and hear her gasp behind me to which I flip her off without turning around. Like I said, I'm not putting up with her shit anymore.

Maddie suddenly hurries over to my locker. "Dude, you totally just showed her up."

Leave it to Maddie to refer to me as dude. "Yea I did. Anything else?"

"Wait, what-"

"Is that all you wanted to say? Can I go now?" I snap.

"What's your problem-"

I guess you could say I'm still bitter about her blowing me off. "I really needed you. And I know you're not a super emotional and compassionate person but I didn't need emotion and passion. I needed comfort. Support. And you couldn't give that to me," By this point the bell had rung but we were still standing in the hallway.

"What are you talking about?" she asks, bewildered.

I hesitate, about to show her the cuts on my wrist. Thinking she would probably think it was just me trying to get attention, I decide against it. "I was in a really bad place. I needed someone. And you shut me out because you had better things to do." I start to walk towards my first period class.

"Olivia, wait -"

"Save it Maddie, I don't want to hear it." With that I leave her standing alone in the hallway with her mouth hanging open.

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After a long day of classes I couldn't focus in and lunch with no one to sit with, I walk out to my car. As I'm about to get in, I'm stopped by a hand closing the car door. I whip around to see Maddie, her eyes fiery with anger and yet sad.

"Look, I'm sorry I shut you out. It was wrong. But honestly?," she continues. "You pull this kind of crap all the time! I never know if you're crying over stupid petty boy problems or something actually worth crying over!"

"Well maybe you should have asked!" I challenge.

"How could I? You were always off with Isaac or-"

"Isaac's dead," I state bluntly.

She noticeably falters. Suddenly her expression changes and when she speaks, she does it quieter. "I'm sorry, Liv. I didn't know."