Bloody Mary // J. Hale

The freak returns

Since the incident during freshman year, no one would have guessed Jenna would ever return. Yet here she was, standing once again at the very place where everything had gone so terribly wrong.

For most people, high school was a time of creating treasured memories, forging friendships, and discovering oneself. But for Jenna, those brief four months at Forks High had been different. She hadn't made many friends, and by the time she left, the entire town had learned who she was — a freak.

Returning wasn't her choice. If it had been, homeschooling would have been her preference. But she had no say in the matter.

"Do you have everything? Money for lunch, your pills?" her mother asked nervously, hands gripping the steering wheel as she glanced at her daughter.

Jenna reached down, lifting her backpack and giving it a light tap. "Yeah, everything's packed."

"Good, good," her mother mumbled, fingers drumming anxiously. "I know it's nerve-wracking, going back. But you'll be fine. And if you're feeling off, don't hesitate to take your meds, okay? They said you can take up to four a day."

"I know, Mom. Thanks for the reminder." Jenna's hand was on the door handle, ready to leave the car, but her eyes caught sight of the mass of students walking toward the building. Familiar faces, familiar eyes. She knew as soon as she stepped out, all of those eyes would be on her. A part of her wanted nothing more than to stay in the car.

"Jenna, look at me." Her mom's voice softened as she reached over and squeezed her daughter's shoulder. Jenna turned toward her. "You've got this. Remember what they told you—chin up, shoulders back, let it all wash over you. It'll only be as scary as you let it."

Taking a deep breath, Jenna nodded, recalling the hours spent talking with Dr. Stanford. I can do this. What's the worst that could happen?

A cold shiver crept up her spine as an unwelcome voice rang through her head. You could lose control again.

She rolled her shoulders back, pushing the thought away. She couldn't afford to think like that, not today. Before opening the car door, Jenna discreetly popped a pill from the small bottle she carried in her pocket, swallowing it with the last bit of water from bottle in the cup holder.

"Alright, thanks, Mom," Jenna said, stepping out of the car.

"Good luck, sweetie! I'll pick you up after school! I lo—"

Jenna shut the door quickly before her mother could finish the embarrassing sentence. She waved briefly before turning toward the school. It was bad enough she didn't have a driver's license; she didn't need any more reason to stand out today.

After retrieving her timetable from the office, Jenna made her way to her first class—mathematics. She remembered exactly where the classroom was, but as soon as she stepped into the hallway, she felt it—every single person was staring at her.

Nope. No. I can't do this.

Just as she was about to turn back, someone pulled her into an awkward side hug, cutting off her retreat.

"I can't believe it—she's back from the dead! Mary, welcome back!" Her captor greeted her with exaggerated enthusiasm, his tone bordering on a bit to theatrical.

Jenna rolled her eyes, shaking his arm off her shoulder. "I was never dead, you dimwit."

"Well, you might as well have been," Eric teased, scratching at his arms in a mock imitation of the incident from two years ago.

Jenna's face tightened, and she gently grabbed his hand to stop him. "Eric, please. People are already staring enough as it is." She paused, her voice lowering. "And it's Jenna now."