Invisible

Chapter Eight

            My bus was late this morning, and even though I was ready, I still ended up missing it. Jackson and I hadnt really talked since he took me home last night, and I was hoping today in creative writing things wouldnt be so awkward. His smile popped up in my head, and I couldnt help but smile at the thought of him. I was in my math class, and the bell rang signaling lunch. Maybe I would see Jackson in the cafe. I was hoping I could straighten things out with him, and let him know what I was thinking.. (which I still wasnt very sure what I was thinking myself).

            At lunch, I sat at my normal table, by myself. Jacksons usual table of jocks sat menacingly about 3-4 tables away from me, but Jackson was nowhere in sight. Peculiar enough though, A few of his football buddies, and Christine, his bitchy usual lab partners kept laughing and looking at me. Probably talking shit. Oh well, nothing I wasnt used to. I didnt expect them to like me just because Jackson was .. friends with me or whatever. But then, Christine and one of the players, I think his name was Ryan Kirkpatrick or something, came over to my table, laughing and giggling.

            "Hi Kenedee" Christine spoke first, barely even maintaining her stupid laughing. I kinda.. No I lie, I really wanted to punch her in the face. I didnt respond though, and then Ryan started talking.

            "You know, you invisible freak, it was really funny at first, but I think that me and Christine here should let you in on a little secret. Christine?" He smiled evilly.

            "Me and a couple of Jacksons close friends over there," she nudged her head towards the stupid jock table, "well you see, we bet Jackson that he couldnt get the weirdest, probably the most ugliest, and awkward girl in the school to talk to him, and like him. He was going to ask you to prom, as a joke obviously, but we feel like youve been suffering long enough." She burst out into a fit of laughter. I could feel my self conscious mannerisms and my heart, shatter into a billion peices. I took out a peice of paper and began to furiously write, but Ryan kept talking.

            "I think you should just stop talking to him. Christine here is goona ask your creative writing teacher to switch partners so you dont have to feel awkward. Wasnt this such a funny joke?!" He laughed again, and Christine joined him. I stopped writing, and felt an impulse like no other surge through me. I lept halfway across the table and swung my fist as hard as I could, clocking Christine in the face. She looked shocked, and fell too the floor, but she wasnt a scared little girl, and I wasnt finished yet. Ryan started shouting fight, but thats not why i was doing it. I was done with bullying. I was done with people. I pinned christine down, and she reached up and grabbed my hair, pulling on it, and we were obviously fighting. I couldnt see anything, couldnt feel anything as white hot fury pulsed through my arms and into christine. She was a hair-puller and biter, I was a puncher. She was screaming

"get her off of me! Ryan get her off of me!" but Ryan wasnt doing anything. He was chanting fight, and a bunch of other football players and cheerleaders, and bystanders began to join in too. I was crying, but not because I was hurting. I was crying because, I wasnt a violent person. Just the thought of hurting someone else killed me inside, but i had dealt with bullying for too long.

            "Hey! HEY HEY HEY! Stop it Christine let her the FUCK go!" I heard a familiar voice. Jackson. I scoffed, but felt myself  being pulled off of Christine effortlessly, Obviously by Jackson. He cradled me and turned around, and I quickly pushed myself out of his arms.

            "Dont touch me you peice of shit" I muttered embaressed as hell.

            "What are you talking about?! What the hell is going on right now?" He looked confused, and I turned and saw Ryan helping Christine to her feet. She had a few bruises bubbling on her now imperfect face, and blood was rushing from her nose. I couldnt help but feel a ping of guilt.

            "We told her about our little bet Jackson. Stop hanging with the freak, she knows now" Christine spit violently on the floor, and I winced again because it was bloody spit.

            "Yeah man, jokes over, we couldnt let you go to prom with a weirdo like her, joke or not." Ryan clapped Jackson on the shoulder. Jackson looked infuriated, and I guess he was because he flat out punched Ryan in the mouth.

            "Dont talk about her like that you good for nothing fuck. If it wasnt for my dad talking too coach, you wouldnt even be on the team. take your bitch, and get out of here." he motioned to Christine, and then turned to me.

            "Kenedee look.. Im really sor-"

            "Forget it! it doesnt matter" I cut him off, and grabbed my backpack, ready to leave. Teachers had come over now, and I knew we would be getting in trouble. I left Jackson standing there stumbling after his words, and followed Christine and my vice principle to the main office. Punishment time.