Group Therapy

Eight

Jenna

I hate her. I hate Polly Hancock. Maybe it's the fact that she was my best friend for three years and then just ditched me like I was nothing.

Believe it or not, I wasn't a big of a loner in middle school. I had friends and I had money. But then mom got drunk one night and gambled her life savings away. She ruined everything in one night. Just because she wanted to have a little fun. That's why I vowed to never drink. That kind of went out the window on Saturday when I drank at the meadow.

Polly Hancock is what I like to call a fake bitch. Let me explain the whole story. In the sixth grade, Polly was a loner. Just like I am now. She would sit in every class and never say a word. She would always have her hair covering her eyes. Everyone called her a weird emo freak. So I took her under my wing. Then suddenly everyone wanted her. She was more popular than me in a short amount of time and now I stare at her from across the cafeteria. Polly was sitting with Chasity and the rest of the cheerleaders at the center lunch table. Sure Polly was cute and funny and athletic but so what.

I stare at Polly. Examine her movements as I do a lot. She laughs at something and flings her dirty blonde hair out the way. She puts her hand on Carter's shoulders. Her and Carter have been dating since a little bit before high school started. They're one of the "power couples" at this school. But seeing as most of those couple have broken up, it's probably not going to be a long time as their time finishes up.

"Jenna, what are you staring at?" Kennedy is sitting in front of me, painting her new masterpiece.

"I'm just thinking about all the people I hate is all."

"That's a long list." I laugh.

"No seriously. You hate everyone. I'm surprised you don't hate me," she says.

"How do you know I don't hate you?"

"Maybe it's because I'm the best person in this damn school."

"You're right about that one."

Just as I am about to take a bite of my slice of bread, which is only a slice of bread because we ran out of peanut butter, Olena sits down right next to me.

"Hey Jenna. Hi Kennedy," she says bright and happy. I'm taking that she's finally over the Julian and Chasity thing because of what Marissa said.

"Hi Olena," says Kennedy, raising an eyebrow at me. I haven't told her anything about the group therapy. So she doesn't really know Olena's in it. I don't think the student body knows we have a group therapy. I mean yeah six juniors are crazy and we have to meet up twice a week a talk about our "feelings".

"So are you going to the group therapy session today?" Olena asks.

"Wait, you're in the group therapy too?" Kennedy asks.

"Yeah. I don't really need it but whatever."

"I agree. Little Miss perfect over here doesn't even have a real problem," I say. Kennedy shoots me a glare. She thinks I should be nicer and give people chances. But why would I do that? So they can leave me like everyone else has? No thanks.

"Awe, you think I'm perfect. That's so sweet," says Olena, not noticing the sarcasm. After all that happened between her and Chasity, she's been clinging on to me like a fucking wet wipe.

"So are you guys going to homecoming?" Olena asks.

"I totally want to but Jenna over here thinks it's stupid," says Kennedy shaking her head.

"There is no way in hell I'm going. I have this argument with you every year Ken."

"It'll be fun. It's always fun," says Olena.