Bully

Chapter Nine: Aid

I lied on the bathroom floor defeated. My clothes were drenched. My makeup was likely ruined. My essay was destroyed. I felt so humiliated as my hard work lied in my mouth. Exhaustion overcame me and I had no compulsion to move. Left alone with my mind and my mind only. My pride was taken away. My happiness, my trust. I was betrayed by people I thought could be my friends. Why? Was it because I'm the new girl? I'm the fresh meat right?

Tears had returned once again and as they fell down my cheeks, sounds pooled out of my lips. Cries, weeps, the list goes on. The echo of the bathroom amplified my cries and I truly felt alone. There was one thing I noticed though. Where was Brie? I didn't recall seeing her. But it all happened too fast that I probably missed her presence. Like she told me, her loyalty is her only survival of high school. But what if that was a lie? These thoughts left my mind hollow and my body numb. What did I even do to deserve this? I was dunked into a toilet and showered in a sink.

Dunked in a toilet. Showered in a sink.

My mind rewinded back to last week. The blonde girl. When I witnessed the event, she was soaked.

Just like me.

That girl was their last victim. Then there was me. Questions imploded. Was that girl new? Was she "welcomed" into their group too? If so, why didn't Brie warn me? Who is this girl?

"Just another school day I see."

Someone was here. I wanted to see who but I was too scared to show my face. Ruined makeup, my essay in my mouth, stained cheeks, it was all too much. Out of the corner of my eye, I glared at her. She was short. Black boots, black leggings, a white shirt, a leather jacket, blonde hair, red tips.

It was her.

She leaned against the door frame with her hands in her pockets. Knowing it was her, I showed my face fully. She winced as a result. I must've been hard to look at.

"Ooo... That's bad."

My paper stuffed face sulked and I looked away.

"It's okay," she softly said as she helped me to my feet. "You're okay," she ensured removing my essay from my mouth.

I wiped my eyes and took a look at the mirror. God I looked awful. My mascara had run down my face and I was terrified.

"I can't go out looking like this!" I panicked.

Before I could go on an anxiety attack, she put her hands on my shoulders.

"Calm the fuck down," she demanded giving me a little shake. "You will be fine."

The girl had taken off her backpack and unzipped the front pocket. Inside was a mini container. Crash Bandicoot. Opening the box, she pulled out some baby wipes.

"Hold still."

She grabbed the back of my head and began to rub the wipes against my eyes.

"Here's a quick money saver. Use baby wipes to remove your make up. Not only can you keep them on you for general use too, they're much cheaper than actual makeup wipes. Basically the same thing."

I never thought about that. Then again, I only wore makeup in public. Being home schooled and in the wild, makeup wasn't really a concern. She's probably much smarter than I am about this kind of stuff. Just by her own makeup, she must've
known what she was talking about.

"And there we go."

I looked in the mirror to find myself clean! She tossed the baby wipe in the garbage and went back into her bag.

"And now... Just a quick lil' touch up never hurt nobody."

She pulled out some makeup from the same box and returned to my face. Shortly after, I found myself with some concealer powder applied and a bit of mascara. Not bad for a quickie.

"There we go, all better," she finalized.

I watched as she put her box back into her backpack and sling it over her shoulder. I still had no idea who she is. The answer to that question had been eating at me for the last six days!

"Later," she waved opening the bathroom door.

"Wait!" I quickly called.

She paused and turned to face me. This was it. I can finally get the answers to my questions. Who is she? What is up with those girls?

"I never got a name," I continued.

The anticipation was killing me. There was a momentary silence. We stared at each other. I realized this wasn't the same stare I had with Sasha. This was different. Her face was a stage for debate. I knew exactly what was going through her head. Like me, she fell victim to those girls. Could I be trusted?

My face however showed internal desperation. That growing desire for a friend. I was new. I had no friends. My hopes wanted Sasha to fill that gap. Being welcomed into a group never felt so exhilarating. If only it wasn't a game. Could this girl be the true satisfaction of a friend? Someone that I can talk to that's not my parents? Sure there was Brie, but after what just happened, I'm not too sure about her. I prayed that she wasn't a part of attacking me. Instead, I hoped it was secret. Under her nose. With my attention back to the girl, she opened her mouth.

"Aren't you gonna miss your class?"

I looked behind her at the clock glaring at me. Class was about to start!

"What about you?!" I frantically asked.

"I have a spare. I'd start moving if I were you."

She was right! I gave one last glare hoping she'd answer my question.

Nothing.

I pushed past her and began my sprint down the empty hallway.

"Hey Bayley!"

I froze in my tracks. She knew my name? I turned around and she was leaning on the wall yet again with her arms crossed. The tension was daunting. My breath was non-existent.

"Alexa."