Claiming Tomorrow

01

O N E

| | sticks and stones might break my bones but words will always hurt me | |

Ro hissed as her shoulder slammed into the cold metal.

"What's the matter, bitch?" A cool voice spoke above the flinching girl.

It spoke with a calculating detachment, so convincing that you wouldn't be able to hear the clamoring of her heart or her quick, rapid breaths.

"I asked you a question." Just like that, a silver heel shoved into Ro's side.

Ro wasn't bothered by the pain. The burning imprint that would later turn into an ugly, maroon bruise didn't faze her.

When Bianca snapped her long, pretentious fingers, demanding her hulk of a boyfriend to sloppily hoist Ro up just so Bianca could slap her, Ro flattened her lips and remained mute.

It was funny, really, watching Bianca's calm, indifferent demeanor crack, revealing a girl whose own insecurities led to beating up a former best friend for shits and giggles.

Ro observed as the makeup that Bianca had always painstakingly caked on disappeared, twisting her face in an ugly sneer.

"What, suddenly can't speak?" Bianca jeered, back facing the crowd of watchful eyes. Only Ro saw as Bianca came fully undone, ripping Ro's hair back and slapping her repeatedly so that her face became mottled and red.

Ro's heart tangled in her chest, and she put a hand to it, wondering if she was still alive.

"Or do you just miss your mommy?"

Ro's eyes widened. 

And Bianca grinned wickedly. Because even if Ro didn't know it, Bianca knew all the chinks in her armor, and she knew exactly where to shove the dagger make her keel over and beg.

Gradually, with each slap, the emotions came back in a torrent, and she suddenly was aware of vulnerability, humiliation, pain, ache. Bianca was a demon, tearing mercilessly at Ro's skin, and Ro watched agonizingly as she tore Ro down with her.

"I'm sorry." The words were thick on her tongue, chunky and rushed out. They carried a hefty weight, and were unfamiliar, although Ro had uttered them multiple times to appease an unbecoming Bianca.

Bianca stopped.

"That's what I thought." She whispered, a triumphant smile edging her lips. Smoothly, she swept her hair back, stepping over Ro's huddled form.

Just as fast as lightning disappears, Bianca stopped. But it was wrong. 

So, fucking wrong, Ro thought. Bianca facing the students. Bianca smiling for the cameras that unfailingly had managed to record the whole scene.

As if she hadn't just hurt her friend in more ways than one.

Insanity was a fuel for many, gasoline poured in a sopping puddle that ended up with one's demise. Bianca turned and sashayed, so preserved, so untouchable. But eventually gasoline runs out, and Bianca would be burnt to a crisp.

The thought brought a shadow of a smile to Ro's lips, as she lay on the cold, cold floor.

Oh, she could get up. If she really, really, tried.

But more likely, Ro would stay, anchored down by the same humiliation and self-pity that had held her back all those other times she had wanted to rip the platinum extensions straight out of Bianca's pretty little head.

"And make sure you learn to stay the fuck away from my boyfriend." Bianca sneered haughtily, turning on one arched heel and swaying down the hall.

Eventually, the last of the curious bystanders trickled away, giving Ro a mix of disgusted and sympathetic glances. She didn't care, she was far, far gone.

The lights above seemed to tunnel, and her eyelids became heavy. If this what it was like to die, Ro actually didn't mind it.

She didn't smell the overpowering scent of pine trees or cedar wood. She didn't notice the strong arms that lifted her up and rendered her weightless. She didn't feel her body being gently lowered onto a pristine white bed.

What she did feel, was an overwhelming sense of serenity.

Ro was done being everyone's stepping stool. Ro was fed up with being walked over by people who were supposedly her friends.

And so, with contentment nestled in her heart, she let go of hope, falling into the deep abyss of sleep.

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 a/n aah! is it okay? please tell me what you think, is it too over dramatic for the first chapter? do you guys understand everything well enough? feedback is very much appreciated.

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