has an evil bitch as a girlfriend. It doesn't help matters that she would love to see my head on a spike.”
He rolled his eyes and bumped into my shoulder. “I told you you'd have a problem like this. Guy's won't be able to help it. You automatically draw people to you, like magic. So all the guys are going to want you, and all the girls are going to hate you. You'll just have to get over it, little Star, and hope that your newness wears off soon.”
“I just don't need this crap right now.”
“Well, you could fix it.”
“And how, oh wise one, would you suggest I accomplish that?”
“It's simple really. Get a boyfriend.”
I frowned. Maybe he was deaf. “Have you not been listening this entire conversation? The whole point is to
He put his hand up, ending my tirade. “Just listen, okay? If you find someone to 'be' your boyfriend, then everyone else will have to back off. The target on your back will be officially removed, except for the really persistent ones, and the girls wouldn't have a reason to be so jealous and hateful toward you.”
“The only girl who's given me a hard time is Jenni. The others haven't even bothered with me.”
He shook his head and grinned at me. “Just give them time. You'll be used as a scratching post before the end of the week. Trust me, I've seen it happen before.”
“But I thought I was the only new person to come here in ages?”
“Yeah, you are, but whenever the chicks around here feel threatened, they'll attack whomever they think is the culprit.”
I was swiftly becoming beyond curious. “Okay, then who was it?”
He glanced down at the table and remained silent for a moment. “Look, it’s really not my story to tell, okay? If you want to know what happened, you'll have to ask Rose.”
My eyebrows shot up, “Rose? Who in the world would be dumb enough to cross her?”
He laughed softly and looked off into the distance. “She wasn't always like she is now. People hurt her so much that she was forced to change to survive. Maybe one day she'll tell you about it.”
Both of us flinched as the bell sounded in the quiet room. We gathered our things and headed toward the door.
“You ready to face the rest of the day?”
I didn't answer. I didn't have an answer. I gave him a weak smile and shrugged, preparing to face the rest of the day.
The months flew by quickly, and before I knew, it was October. The seasons had changed rapidly, moving from pleasantly warm, to brisk and cold without notice. The scenery became colorful, leaves turning to multiple shades of reds, yellows, and browns. I spent my free time sitting on my porch with a cup of hot cocoa, just looking at the vibrant colors the forest offered. Even if they were home to ‘mutant mountain men,’ it was a beautiful view to see.
I quickly fell into a routine at school: Avoid Gabe as much as possible, have epic glare wars with Jenni, laugh with Brandon and Rose over the latest escapades of the other students, and repeat. I was lucky to have some friendly faces in some of my classes. But even with those friendly faces being there for me I quickly came to the understanding that Brandon wasn't joking at all.
The backlash, as I began to call it, happened rather quickly. Word spread about me, and before I knew it I had to avoid not only Gabe, but almost every eligible guy in school and some not eligible. Which lead to a full force 'we hate Star' girls team.
I tried to ignore it all. I strained to focus on keeping my anger, and my sanity in check, but all the barbs, insults, sly comments, and outright downing was wearing on me. My temperament went down the wayside even though I tried my best to distance myself from everyone, including Brandon and Rose.
I knew my breaking point was coming, but I just didn't know what form it would take this time. All I knew was that with how severe the darkness was pulsing, pushing inside of me, if it released around people, someone would definitely get hurt.
“Yo! Earth to Star!”
I snapped my attention back to the table and snatched Rose's waving hand, bending it at the wrist. “What!” I instantly dropped it when I saw pain flash across her eyes. I sent a glare across the table toward her and started to take calming breaths, pushing fiercely against the darkness rising up in me.
“Easy, cupcake. Was just asking if you were going to go to the Halloween dance with us.” She completely relaxed while rubbing the soreness out of her wrist.
“There's a Halloween dance?”
“Dude, seriously? I know you've been a space cadet lately but there’s been a shit ton of fliers and banners hanging up all over school for the past month!” she threw her hands up in the air and looked to Brandon for help.
I clenched my jaw and raised an eyebrow at him, waiting to hear what he had to say.
He cleared his throat and leaned toward me, resting his arms on the table. “Um, yeah. It’s a really big deal here. There's only three school events that are worthy. The Halloween dance, Homecoming and Prom.”
“There! Ya see? You have to go.”
I shook my head and looked at Rose in exasperation. “I'm really not in the mood for a freaking dance. Besides, I didn't take you for the school function type.”
“Yeah, we noticed.”
I bit back a retort and leveled my voice. “What does that mean?”
She looked down at the red marks surrounding her wrist in emphasis and gave me a 'duh' look.
I grimaced and looked away from them. “Point taken.”
“Yeah, there's that. Plus, you've been switching between an uber bitch and completely void of emotions so fast that I'm getting whip lash.”
“Rose.” Brandon whispered.
She glared at him and threw her hands up. “What? It's the truth.”
He shook his head and gave me a 'what can I say' look. I shrugged. It wasn't their fault I was acting like that, but they were taking the brunt of it regardless. I hated myself for it and wished I knew what I could do to change it. The darkness in me grew, seeming to mock me, tormenting my every waking moment. I almost relished the thought of its release, if only to have some time away from its looming presence. But it came back. It always came back.
I was shamed of my actions and looked away from the table. My eyes caught on Jenni holding her audience's attention in the court. The court was a central yard with connecting doors to each wing of the school. With intricate brickwork, it was a great place to socialize, and be seen by everyone.
Jenni was sitting on the edge of the fountain, flirting shamelessly with the males surrounding her. I frowned as I watched her run her hand teasingly over a guy’s thigh while laughing at something he said. The darkness inside of me latched onto that moment, pulsing with my rising anger, straining at its collar for release.
“What the hell is she doing?”
“Hmm?” Rose followed my gaze and rolled her eyes. “Oh, that’s the usual around here. Whenever Gabe's not around, she has no problem feeling up whatever guy is near.”
He shook his head and looked at me with a raised brow. “Didn't I tell you she was like a park swing?”
Rose laughed and bumped his shoulder. “Epic baby.”
“I can't believe she'd do something that stupid. Why doesn't Gabe do something about it?”
“Um, probably because she has him blinded by her va—”
Brandon slapped his hand over Rose's mouth to silence her. “Personality.”
I reached over and fist bumped him, “Nice cover.” I tried to focus on anything else but the raging storm
