You're My Sol

Chapter 7

I woke up blearily, opening my eyes to the soft light drifting in through my window. I sat up and stretched, looking around my room.

Marisol was gone.

I looked around, wondering if she left in the night. Was she okay?

Just then the door opened, and Marisol stepped in. She saw me and froze. She was dressed, hair brushed, and ready to go.

She stood there akwardly, staring at me. "I'm just packing up my stuff. I'll be leaving soon."

"Good," I said harshly, thinking about the events of last night.

She looked hurt, but said nothing. Marisol packed away her things and left, closing the door behind her, leaving me in the dim light.

Screw her, who needed her, anyway? I was fine being alone--I did it for two years. I didn't need friends. And I especially didn't need her.

I lay back down my bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. She had her own friends. She was just fine with Jessica, Ashlynn, Kate, and Sarah. She didn't need me.

She didn't need me.

It was the end of eighth grade. We were finishing our final projects, recieving awards, having competitions. All of our work throughout middle school had led to this period in time.

I bounded over to my lunch table. "Hey guys!"

"Hey, Penelope!" Ashylnn called, patting the seat beside her.

I jumped into the seat. "Guess what!"

"What?" Asked Jessica, playing with her nails.

"I got an award for the fastest mile time of the year!" I said excitedly.

Sarah and Kate exchanged looks. "We're so happy for you," Kate said.

I should have gotten up. I wasn't one to sleep in, and my mom would worry. I dragged myself out of bed and walked down the stairs. My brother was there, eating cereal. He paused with his spoon halfway to his mouth, staring at me.

"What happened to you?"

I looked at my reflection in the window. I looked terrible. My curly blonde hair was crazier than usual, all bunched on top of my head. It looked like a rat's nest. I had bags under my eyes and my pajamas were crumpled.

"I had a rough night," I said.

Andrew rolled his eyes.

I sighed. Who cared what he thought? Not me. I took a seat at the table and held my head in my hands.

Sarah laughed nervously. "It almost seems like you're getting awards every day..."

"Yeah!" I beamed. It was so exciting. "I mean, I know I'm doing a lot better than most people here, like, that's normal for me, but I'm still excited about it!"

Ashlynn's eyes flitted over to me. "What do you mean by 'most people here'?"

"Well..." I trailed off. "You guys aren't... you're not the best at everything..."

"What?!" Sarah yelled.

"What?" I asked. "I'm just being honest."

"Like how you were 'honest' when you said I wasn't smart enough to be partners with you for that history project?" Sarah said.

"Yeah, or when you wouldn't choose us to be on your team in gym? It's gym, Penelope, no need to be so stuck up!" Kated added.

I got up from the kitchen table. Andrew didn't look up from his cereal. I wasn't hungry. I made my way up to my room and sat down at my desk. Maybe doing some homework would make me feel better. Not that I had anything better to do. I got out my work and started in.