Ms.Bully

6

I unlocked the door slowly walking in. The kitchen light was on. I slipped off my shoes and threw my bag onto the ground. I know I throw this poor bag a lot. I walked into the kitchen with my head down. "How was school?" I hear my dad ask. "Um...It was ok, " I lie. He hums "You should pack your bags for Friday tonight." he says as I walked up to the table. "I will." I insure. "What do we have to eat?" I question looking down at the bare table. "I didn't make anything yet," he said turning around from the counter. His eyebrows furrowed once he gets a good look at my face "What's that?" he questions pointing to my face. I shrug brushing by him to open the refrigerator. He pulls my shoulder back, "Who hit you?" he quizzed worriedly. "I got into a fight, don't worry about it." I brush him off pulling away. He sighs "Fine." I roll my eyes. My phone buzzes. ["How was your day? Did you miss me?"] From Annabella, I roll my eyes at the message. Why would I miss her?
["No."] I text back before softly rubbing my jaw. My phone buzzes
["You didn't miss me?"] From Annabella.
["Why would I?"] I text back before shutting my phone off. I sit down at the table as my dad starts cooking.
"Dinner is served," he announced as he slid the plates onto the table. "Thanks for the food," I say slowly before picking up the fork. He didn't ask about the bruise anymore but I could see him glancing at it ever so often. "How was work?" I ask trying to make small talk to distract him from his thoughts about the bruise on my face. "Same as usual interesting but tiring," he responds lifting his fork to his mouth. "There have been a lot of gang-related deaths recently and that means more work for me," he says as I sip soup from my spoon. "Sounds tuff." I retort glancing up at him. "Yeah, it is," he said before drinking some water from his glass. "I hope you realize I'm not easily distracted it's part of the job. I'll let you have some time before you explain to me why you have a bruise covering your jaw," he said setting down his glass. I can't fool him,  I certainly thought I did. I quickly finish eating and headed upstairs to my room.

After packing for the sleepover I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling. I pull my phone out of my pocket before turning it back on.
["You like it. You're no victim."] From Annabella.
["You better not be ignoring me. You're only hurting yourself."] From Annabella.
I text back ["Just leave me alone, please."] my phone buzzes
["You know I can't do that. Just follow directions and you'll be fine."] From Annabella. I sigh hopelessly.
I throw my phone onto the floor.
I turn to my side rolling into my covers like a burrito. My eyelids weigh heavily as I drift out of consciousness.
Fuck another day of school.
For some reason, my alarm didn't go off today. Turns out my alarm is as lazy as me. Thank the gods today is finally Friday. After taking a shower and dressing up in a dark green oversized hoodie and some baggy black jeans I grab my bag full of clothes.
Today dad didn't make anything so I just gathered the rest of my belongings and left for school.

"You got your clothes?" Raul asks as he copies down my homework answers. "Yeah," I confirm watching him write vigorously. "Why are you writing so hard? You have like twenty more minutes before class." I snort. "I just wanna have enough time," he replied. "Then you should have done it at home." I scold. "Yeah, whatever man. You know I always busy." he scoffs.
"Oh is it ok if I go after Annabella since you said you don't like her?" he asks quickly. "Sure knock yourself out." I shrug.

I wouldn't have said 'Sure' if I knew that meant I would have to spend lunch with her and Santi. Watching Raul butter her up was beyond uncomfortable.
"So Anna- is it ok that I call you Anna? Or should I call you Bella? Did you know Bella means beautiful in Latin? Anyway, what is one of your hobbies? I like most sports." Raul starts babbling. I sigh and bring my head down to my desk crossing my arms around my head.
"I like to hunt." I hear her say. Raul clears his throat awkwardly. "Um, ok anything else?" he says hopefully. "What about you big guy?" Raul asks Santi "I go to the shooting range...a lot." he replies
It goes silent.
"What about you Leon. Up to anything new?" I hear Annabella say. I stay silent my arms still covering my head.
"Leon...Le-"
"Don't wake him he needs all the sleep he can get," Santi says and I feel a chill run up my spine.
"Yeah we're going to be watching movies all over the weekend so I guess he does need his sleep." Raul laughs I could feel the awkwardness of the conversation just radiating from him.
"Oh really? Then I guess so." Annabella says hints of skepticism laced in her voice.
"Anyway, we should be getting back to class." I hear her say as she rises from the seat. And when I hear their footsteps fade I lift my head.
"You sounded stupid." I tease Raul covers his face "Yeah I know she's just so cute." he says I could see his blush. Yeah, she used to be cute to me too until I was being tortured.
"You know you got competition," I say stretching. "I thought you said you don't like her?" he questions worriedly. "Not me, Santi." I snort touching my sore jaw in remembrance. "Really?" he lifts an eyebrow. "I think that's why he hit me the other day. He's fucking crazy for Annabella or something." I murmur. "Oh, so he thought you liked her and went all ape-shit," Raul says trying to piece the story together. I just nodded not wanting to remember the event.
"I guess I gotta get close to him too," Raul says determinedly. I take a moment to look at him.
"That's about the stupidest thing you've said all day," I say amazed. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, you know. I'll ask him if he wants to come to the sleepover tonight," he exclaimed before I could shut down his awful life-endangering idea he was out of the room. "Damn it!" I huff before running after him. I don't know why I expected him to still be in view he was long gone him being an athlete all. When I get to the classroom he was already talking to Santi. Raul says something to him and Santi nods his head. Jesus Christ, I can't get a break.