The Crashing of Opposites

Chapter 10

Jenna 

I lay in bed staring at the roof, thinking of reasons to explain why he hates me so much. My own father. He has never shown any form of resentment towards my brother. I just don't understand where it all went wrong. With my mind racing with questions, I fall into a light sleep. Skipping school has never been an option no matter how immobile I become. 

Knock knock

"Co-" I can't even talk without wincing.

"Hey honey, let me help you get ready." My mom walks in with unshed tears in her pleading eyes and her voice extra caring and filled with guilt.

Yes, she knows about the 'teaching'. Yes, she could hear my screams last night and every one of the nights before that. But she couldn't or wouldn't do anything because she's a coward- I'm not ashamed to call my mother that because it's true. She has never tried standing up for me since she fears he'll do the same to her. Honestly, I don't expect her to do anything anymore either. Perhaps because it will be selfish to put her in harm's way just to get out of my own pain. I couldn't do that to her, I would rather take it myself than let her feel the pain I have felt oh so many times.

Helping me get ready is a way for her to show she's sorry for not being able to do anything. But she knows what my answer will be, it's always been the same and it will be. I give her a blank look while shaking my head and nod at the door silently signaling for her to leave. She lets out a sigh and leaves without another word.

....................

"Hiii Jen. How was dinner?" Mar pops out of nowhere, taking things out of her locker.

I told her I had to get home early yesterday because of the dinner which crushed her plans to go shopping.

"You won't believe who my dad's guests were."

"Hmmmm, are they rich?"

"From the way they were dressed, I think so, I mean they even gave us our house as a gift.."

"Hmmm." She seems to be deep in thought for a couple of seconds before replying.

"I have no idea. Tell meee!"

"It was Jett and his father." I say softly making her gasp and her eyes widen in realization. Yep, it's unbelievable. However, she changed her shocked expression to one of concern and worry when she took my appearance in- specifically my busted lip and poorly covered purple bruise.

"Shit Jen. What happened to your face?!"

"I slipped and hit the sink." I lie through my teeth without even a second of reluctance. I've lied and used this excuse multiple times so it works perfectly because Mar sighs and shakes her head disapprovingly.

"You dumbshit. Be careful. Does it hurt? We can get an ice pack from the nurse." She grabs my hand and starts dragging me to the nurse's office but I pull it back from hers remembering why I've had to change schools. If people get suspicious, my dad makes me transfer in a matter of days.

The pain from the sudden loss of friends will be nothing compared to the pain I will have to suffer the night my dad would realize that my teachers or friends have started asking questions.

Besides, the nurse will no doubt recognize what caused the bruise, thus the questions will start to flow. No. I have to deal with my throbbing jaw and stinging arms myself, I am not changing schools again.

"Mar, it's alright. It doesn't hurt. Let's just go before we get late." I grab her hand to pull her to AP Biology- the only class the two of us have together.

I can barely keep my eyes open throughout the lessons, the lack of sleep from last night is catching up to me. The tons of homework due tomorrow is not something I'm looking forward to. 

.......................

By the time lunch rolls around, I'm a walking zombie. Laying with my head down on Mar and I' s usual table, I wait for her to show up from her Calculus class.

Just when my eyes shut falling into sleep I feel cold liquid stream down my head and pool around my arms. I snap my eyes open and look at the white liquid on the table, making my eyes turn a shade darker and my fists clench with rage already having figured out who did this shit. The fake giggling coming from behind me sets me even more on edge.

I stand up and swirl around ready to punch Elirie in the face but my fist stops just inches from her shocked face, falling back to my side, knowing how much trouble I could get into for a complaint from school.

"What the fuck do you want!" 

"Nothing really. Just wanted to help your lazy sleepy ass wake up." She crosses her arms under her breasts and smirks. Only a small hint of fear left in her blue eyes.

I take a deep breath then take a menacing step closer to where she stands with her minions. All eyes are on us, their laughter's now gone.

"I am so not in the mood to deal with your annoying bitchy bullying ass right now. So get the fuck out of my face." I say through gritted teeth. With that, I storm out of the canteen.

Great, just great. Now I have to change my wet bandages and redo my makeup to cover the bruise. With profanities swimming out of my mouth I stomp to my locker to get my spare top and my small towel. I'm always prepared for shit like this, let's just say it's from past experience. Everyone is in the canteen so the hall is empty. The profanities echoing through it. I rub my face removing my makeup and hair with the towel while searching for my spare top under the books.

"Teens are so fucking dumb like the fuck you gonna gain by dropping your shit on me. Fuck Elirie, that little motherfuc-"

My ranting is cut short when a soft but big hand covers my mouth, instantly making me scream into it. I start scratching the hand but he uses his other arm to wrap around my body pinning my arms to my side. The lashes sting every time I thrash.

"You know it's rude to curse." I immediately stop moving and sigh in relief recognizing his voice. Then I bite his hand-hard.

"Oww." He uncovers my mouth to hold his bitten hand with the other. I turn and push him with all the force I can muster, causing him to stumble backward. 

"Seriously Tony? Is that how you say hello?!"

 "Jenna. What happened? Who did that to you?" He moves closer to touch my busted lip but I move back. At this moment I let my rage out and it just so happens that Tony is the lucky person to be on the receiving end of it. 

"Do you really care! We've known each other for a week! We don't even talk!  I'd appreciate it if you stop asking questions. Just stay away from me and don't you dare fucking manhandle me again!" I shout then run to the washroom with my shirt and towel.

Spending the rest of lunch in the washroom after changing into my shirt was the best choice. since facing a bunch of teens who just laughed as I got bullied will not help my appetite even though there isn't any left. The lashes are only bleeding a little but the towel helps to soak everything.

The last lesson approaches quickly and I soon find myself sitting next to Jett in English, waiting for Ms. Kingsley to show up. To say I was sleepy is an understatement, the lack of food from dinner, breakfast and lunch is making my stomach grumble painfully. Combine that with sleep deprivation, the continuous stinging in my arms and my time of the month- you've got the perfect recipe for what is about to happen next.

I lay with closed eyes on the table similar to lunch but try my best not to fall asleep.

"Good morning class." All too soon her voice makes me sit upright.

I know I can't sleep or miss out on what she is saying. I have to get perfect scores even if it means dark circles and burning the midnight oil.