Just Another Cinderella Story

At School

The person in the picture this time is Lily. Enjoy!

I walked to school. I saw Drew waiting by the front doors of the high school. He smiled at first when he saw me, but then he saw my expression and looked worried. He was the only one I told about the abuse. At first I was afraid he'd spill the beans, but it's been three years, and he still hasn't.

I walked up to him. "Brittney?" He asked. I nodded. It was like we knew what each other was thinking at times. He obviously didn't understand I liked him though.

"Sorry." He said. I was surprised. Usually he gave me a hug, gave me something other than just "sorry". He started grinning from ear to ear. "I have good news!" He exclaimed.

"Really? What is it?" I asked. "Lily asked me out!" He whispered, obviously not seeing my life was crumbling right in front of my eyes. "We're going out to the burger place after school."

"That's... That's great, Drew." I choked out. He was so happy. It broke my heart.

"Oh, by the way, I might be hanging out with her a little more." He explained. With those parting words, he walked in Lily's direction, not even knowing that he just shattered my heart.

***

I went to my first class: English. I had a natural talent for writing. I got into the class and there was Drew and Lily, across the classroom, holding hands. Drew didn't even acknowledge me. I sat at a desk near the front. "Nerd," Brittney word-coughed. (Is that what it's called? I'm not sure how to describe it. I guess I am a nerd.)

I just stared at the whiteboard praying for class to start already. I didn't have to wait long. A teacher entered the room and said, "Hello class. I'm Ms. Lynn. I hope we'll have a fun year together." Then she started the lesson.

I went through my classes, all the way to lunch. To my relief, Drew was waiting for me at my locker. Then as I got closer, I realized he was waiting for Lily at Lily's locker. Not mine.

When I got to my locker, I just set my books inside. (Okay, it might have been more of a slamming than a setting.) Drew looked at me. "Hey Carrie." Is all he said.

"So much for hanging out with her a 'little more'." I muttered. He heard me. "Do you have a problem with her?" He didn't look like the caring, sensitive boy I knew. He looked angry and defensive.

I wanted to say, 'Yeah, because she's been making my school life a living hell for years.' But I didn't. What I said was, "God Drew, you are so clueless."

"What? Do you like me or something?" He said loudly. I snorted. "No." "Then what's your problem with her?" He said. I just walked away and went to the cafeteria.

When I got to the cafeteria, I realized I would have nowhere to sit. Drew was angry at me, and I didn't really have friends. I sighed.

I ended up sitting alone. I picked at my salad, not hungry enough to eat. I looked at Lily across the cafeteria. She smirked and put an L sign up to her forehead when Drew wasn't looking. I flipped her off. Unfortunately, he looked right when I did that. He looked at me angrily.

I just picked up my tray and was taking it to the trash. Unfortunately, my only route to the trash cans meant I had to pass Lily's table. I held my breath as I walked by and suddenly, I was sprawled across the ground with salad dressing all over my shirt. Lily's leg was still sticking out.

And believe it or not, Drew was defending Lily instead of me. "You got in the way of her leg." He said.

"Oh puh-lease! Do you really believe that?!" I yelled. "Do you even hear yourself?!"

"Of course I believe it." He jutted out his chin.

"You're just a moron and you only see what you want to see!" I screamed. "You've never noticed in all of the years we've known Lily, she's constantly bullying me?! I mean, really?! Are you just lying to yourself or are you an idiot?!"

Drew was astonished. "I'm sick of you," I pointed at him. "And you," I pointed to Brittney. "And you!" I pointed to Lily.

They all looked surprised. I was usually the cool and collected one, but today, I just couldn't take it anymore. So I walked out of the school and went home to pack my bags. I was going to find my mom.