Your Tape | 13 Reasons Why

Tape 1, Side A: Justin

Hey, it's Hannah. Hannah Baker. That's right. Don't adjust your... whatever device you're hearing this on. It's me, live and in stereo. No return engagements, no encore, and this time, absolutely no requests. Get a snack. Settle in. Because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically why my life ended.

The hallway was busy as usual, students rushing to get to their next period classes. Clay watched as two female students surrounded Hannah Baker's locker, stopping to take a quick selfie. They left, giving Clay the opportunity to approach the locker that was full of her pictures. Before he could get any closer, he bumped into a figure.

Jeanae took her gaze off of her phone, turning her attention to the awkward kid standing next to her. "Watch where the fuck you're going, Curtis." He stood there avoiding the chilling eye contact. "It's Clay", he mumbled. "And I wasn't trying to get in your way." She scoffed, placing her phone in her pocket and crossing her arms. "Yeah, well it seemed like it. Just stay out of my way and don't talk to me."

Before a full blown argument could occur, Mr. Porter walked up to the two. "Guys. Second bell." Jeanae ignored the man and turned her attention back to Clay. "If you ever lay a hand on me again, I swear to god I'll have the basketball team destroy your ass."

"Ms. Banks, let's go. Get to homeroom." The girl gave one last look at Clay before turning to leave for her next class. Clay watched as she left, wondering where it all went wrong. Wondering how the sweet girl she was became the arrogant girl she used to be.

"You too, Mr. Jensen", Mr. Porter called.

-

"So, there are a number of ways to get help if you need it, or if a friend does, okay? And all of this information is on the board outside of my room or outside of the main office. It's on the Liberty High home page", the Peer Communications teacher announced.

"Mrs. Bradley, is it possible we could be done with all this? I mean, it's been over a week. Isn't it healthy to like, move on?" One of the student's who Jeanae didn't care for spoke up, causing everyone to murmur in disgust. Her attention wasn't on anyone else other than Clay, who seemed to be in his own world. It bothered her because whatever he was thinking about made his eyes glued on her.

"Clay", she called out. "Clay!" The now conscious boy looked at her with confusion written on his face. She stared at him with disgust as her friends laughed in secondhand embarrassment. "Stop fucking staring at me, you creep." He quietly apologized, turning his attention back to Mrs. Bradley.

One of the girls leaned closer to Jeanae, whispering in her ear. "Hey, looks like the loser's got his eyes on you. You should go fuck him." The other girl laughed quietly so she couldn't be heard. "Jeanae would never do that. She's way out of his league and besides, you wouldn't wanna ruin your reputation, right?

Jeanae smirked and wrote down the rest of her lecture notes. "Of course, not."

-

The school day finally came to an end. Jeanae headed towards her car but was interrupted by Courtney. "Hey, Jeanae!" Her arms were open, ready to embrace the girl in a tight hug. The brown haired girl did nothing but raise a hand towards the approaching girl's face. "Don't you dare, rat." Jeanae left her dumbstruck, entering her car and driving off.

Memories started resurfacing to the back of her head. Memories of her then boyfriend, Jeff. Her interactions with Hannah Baker. Regret. The tapes. Her tape.

She brushed it off, not letting any of that distract her. Jeanae pulled the car over, turning up at her designated location. Clay's house. She reached for the backseat and grabbed the tapes wrapped in brown paper, black font reading Clay Jensen. Quickly making her way up to the porch, she placed it in front of the entrance and took off.

-

Tape 1, Side A: Justin

My first house in this shitty town. Where I threw my first and only party. Where I met Justin Foley. And where all this started. Do you remember that party, Justin? You were in love with my friend Kat. She was my only friend. Because she lived next door. And because the day we moved in she came to the door with a box of cookies and the new Morrissey. Best friends from track one.

"When you said we were going on a date, this wasn't what I pictured." Jeff laughed, removing Jeanae's black coat and hanging it on the clothing rack. "I know but hear me out! You need to be more social with people. I heard from a few birds that you weren't so nice."

She scoffed and headed towards the kitchen for a drink. She poured herself one and downed it. "Yeah, that's cause they're sensitive bitches." Her boyfriend smiled at her full of love, shaking his head. He turned his sight towards Kat, Hannah, and Clay who now entered the room. Tapping his girlfriend's shoulder, he pointed at Clay and Hannah. "You think they're secretly in love?"

All she did was shake her head. "Nah, love's for losers. But actually, that fits perfectly for them." Jeff fake pouted at her, leaning on the kitchen island. "You calling me a loser? After all, I did fall in love with you." He teasingly leaned in for a kiss to which she accepted. "Well then I guess you turned me into something I never thought I'd ever be, Jeff Atkins. A loser."

Seconds later, Bryce Walker came into the kitchen, admiring Hannah bent over and making Jeanae mentally puke. "How do you even enjoy playing baseball with that?" Jeff tossed a chip into his mouth, gazing at the 'golden boy'. "I don't. I just ignore him and you should too."

-
Jeanae and Jeff walked the halls hand in hand, chatting about their day before being called. "Yo, Atkins. Check this out", Bryce shouted with a smirk. They both approached the crowded corner where Justin showed them the disgusting worm-view picture of a revealed Hannah. Jeff swiftly turned away from the photo, staring at Justin. "Dude c'mon. Was that really necessary?" The group ignored him and laughed. Justin quickly reached for his phone that Bryce grabbed but was too late, sending the photo to the whole school.

A buzz vibrated in Jeanae's pocket who reached to unlock it, only to be scarred with the photo. Jeff handed his phone to his girlfriend, waiting for her to delete the photo to which she did. "You should maybe talk to her? Ask her how she's doing and make sure she's alright."

Jeanae could only scoff in disgust. "Babe, are you kidding me? If I'm seen with her, everyone's gonna laugh at me." He pulled her in closer, gazing down at her in sadness. "Popularity isn't everything, babe." She glanced up, sighing and giving in to those deep pure eyes. "Fine."

-

Jeanae leaned back on Hannah's locker, arms crossed and agitated. Once she saw her, she got up quickly and watched left to right, making sure nobody was around. "Hayley, right?"

"It's Hannah, actually."

"Yeah, whatever. Are you good? You okay?"

"I could be doing better but-"

"Okay, good. Don't tell anyone I asked." The girl walked away in a hurry, leaving Hannah confused. She was happy however, thankful that someone other than Clay at least cared.