Keep your head up

“I’m sure she’ll be here in a minute.” I said, trying to convince not only Ryan, but also myself.

“Yeah well she better be. I’m sick of her thinking she can just show up whenever she wants. I’ll show her..”

Shit. He’s gonna kill her this time. Jessie walks in with her blonde, wavy hair thrown up in a bun. It was a mess. The fear on her face was quickly seeping through her pores.

“WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!”

“I woke up late this morning. I’m sorry. “ Jessie responded, fully aware of what was going to happen next.

Ryan lifted his hand as it quickly made contact with her cheek, leaving a bright pink tint.

“OW! Ryan, that hurt!”

“Shut the hell up,” he said, his voice full of frustration “and how dare you show up looking like this? How embarrassing is it walking around school with a train wreck of a girlfriend like you?!”

“How embarrassing is it walking around school with an idi..”

“WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?!” Ryan interrupted, firmly wrapping his large hand around her scrawny arm. The only reason she was that thin was because Ryan had convinced her that she was worthless and repulsive unless she weighed under 150 pounds.

“Can you guys chill? We’re all gonna be late to school if you two keep it up.” I chimed in. Jessie had been my best friend since second grade. I couldn’t stand watching Ryan treat her like this.

We hopped into Ryan’s green pick-up truck. He slammed the driver’s door where a deep indentation was apparent from the last time Ryan shoved Jessie into the door. I could already tell it was going to be a long day for Jessie.