Hurting

Chapter 1

It was the first day of senior year, and I really wanted to make an impression. Stupid, I know, considering I've been an outcast for the past three years of my life anyway, but still, I had a strange feeling that things would be different this year.

It just so happened that it was.

I arrived at school about fifteen minutes before the bell, which gave me enough time to seek out the few friends I'd made since I'd moved here at the start of high school. I saw Janet as my mother pulled up just before the school gates. She didn't like dropping me off inside. She didn't like seeing the way the other kids treated me and knowing there was nothing she could do about it.

At first, when I clambered out of the car and called out to Janet, I thought she hadn't heard me. But the second time I shouted to her, I saw her head flick up, her hazel eyes darting around anxiously. When they found me, she quickly dropped her head and hurried up the school drive.

I didn't understand what she was doing. It had been only last week that we'd gone to the theatre to see a new production. Was it because of the new clothes I'd bought and decided to wear to school?

I jogged up behind her and patted her on the shoulder.

"Hey Janet! You ready for the first day of school?"

"Go away Laura. I dont want to be friends anymore. My mum says you're not good for me." There was a note of arrogance in what she said. And it made me feel like someone had just knifed me in the back.

"Wait, what? Why wouldn't I be good for you? I'm your best friend! Why are you telling me this now, after we've been been friends for three years?" I was hurt. Really hurt.

"My mum says that if i want to do well at school this year, I need to be happy. To strive for what I've always wanted. Both you and I know what that is, Laura. There's no way I'm ever getting onto the cheerleading squad while I'm friends with you. And if it makes mum happy, then that's all that matters."

My jaw hit the ground. 

"You mean you're going to ditch me, your best, and pretty much only friend, to be on the cheerleading squad?" I wasn't hurt anymore. I was past feeling the pain. Now there was just anger. Anger and rage.

"Bye Laura. Don't speak to me again." Janet strutted off towards the school building, leaving me stood there on my own, just like I had been on the first day of freshman year.

I came to my senses, and told myself not to cry. She wasn't worth my tears, was she?

I made it to the main entrance before the flood gates opened and the tears began to stream down my cheeks.

I'd never felt so alone in my life.