Tiny (gxgxg) [ON PAUSE; REWRITING]

Animal Impulses - IAMX

CW - Bullying, Slurs

MARA

After cleaning my room and returning to school the next day, I received a pile of homework I needed to catch up on. No one needed to ask where I was; they could see it in my face. I assume they think someone close to me died, which isn't exactly a lie. Since I've returned to school, the bullying has gotten worse than before I took an unexpected hiatus. Speaking of which, Skylar Wells currently has me cornered in the deserted hallway next to the library.

"Well, well, well. I'm glad to see the queer came back from her vacation."

Skylar sneered at me, pushing me against the wall. She took a step forward, pressing me tightly against the brick corner. Her hands raised, gripping the collar of my shirt tightly.

"I'm just glad you're too scared to go to the admins, fag."

Her breath smelled like cigarettes and day-old beer. It was getting harder to breathe, mostly because her face was so close to mine that I couldn't escape the smell. My heart was pounding and my eyes were pricking with tears, and Skylar took notice.

"Are you gonna cry? You little bitch."

Then, Skylar released her grip on me, taking a small step back. I let my body relax as I caught my breath. For some stupid reason, I lowered my guard, never expecting her to do what she did next.

Skylar slapped me.

All I could feel was the burn of her hand against my cheek and I felt myself shaking with a mix of anger and fear. Skylar was amused by my reaction as she laughed loudly, walking away back to class.

"You better not have made me late, queer!"

She called out menacingly, rubbing her hand she used to hit me, before turning the corner and disappearing from my sight. I sighed and slid down the wall, placing my hands in my face. Tears slipped down my cheeks, but I stayed silent. After what I assumed to be a few minutes, I heard the click of heels approaching me, so I quickly stood and wiped my tears before the teacher could see.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class, miss?"

The teacher asked me, causing me to silently nod and brush past her quickly, trying not to let her see the red slap mark on my cheek. I could feel her gaze on me as I turned the same corner Skylar did, but I didn't bother looking back as I walked into class.

Luckily, I just have to make it through today, then I can spend my weekend getting my homework caught up.

\\\

No one followed me home after school, at least, not that I was aware of. I couldn't help but feel like someone was watching me, but it was probably just my nerves. My parents didn't speak to me when I got home, but I prefer that to their awkward glances and whatever attempt at turning me straight they'd probably make if we did talk. 

By the time I lay down on my bed, throwing my backpack to the side, my back was screaming in pain. As I lounged, taking a few minutes to relax before starting my homework, I spotted something on the ground, something I missed while cleaning. I stood up and curiously bent over to pick it up. As I picked it up, my body recoiled, causing me to nearly drop it.

It was an earring. More specifically, one of Ellie's earrings she had been wearing the day we met.

I squeezed it tightly, covering my mouth to hold back a sob as tears flooded my eyes. They were really gone, but they were really here.

In a moment of desperation, I sifted through my drawers quickly, scanning for a necklace or a chain of some kind. I found an old necklace with some fake jewels on it. Tearing off the jewel, I slipped the earring through the necklace and clasped the necklace around my neck.