Ariel's Downfall

|1|

People were staring.

No, they were gawking — eyes wide, jaws unhinged. It was as if they'd never seen me walking down this hallway. I mean, it had only been a few months since I was gone but people were acting as if I was Jesus reincarnated or something. Not to be self deprecating or anything, but I wasn't really important in the grand scheme of things. Like, I wasn't super smart or super athletic or super charismatic. I wasn't memorable so I just don't understand why people are making such a big deal of me coming back to this shithole.

"You know, staring is considered rude," I say out into the open and immediately people turn away from me, embarrassed at being called out. "Assholes," I mutter, putting the combination into my locker.

"So I heard rumors that you were back and I just had to see for myself," a deep voice sounds behind me. Rolling my eyes, I turn to see Jacob Slinker, part time student, full time druggie. He stands slouched and smirking in all his rugged glory. Despite being high 24/7, he was ruggedly handsome. His dark brown hair messily styled, goatee perfectly trimmed and dark green eyes always tinted red. "Looking good, Ari, real good," his eyes trail down to my hips, slow down at my chest, and then his eyes are back on my face.

"What do you want, Jacob?" I say stiffly, not looking directly into his captivating eyes. I turn around and transfer my government book into my locker from my backpack, knowing he was staring at my rear. "You know I'm not allowed to talk to you."

"Aw, since when are you known to follow rules, Ari?" He says with a lazy smile. "And you know my name's Jay to you."

"Fuck off, Jacob," I say, eyes darting to the hallway where we've gathered a small audience. I look for my sisters to see if they're watching me but don't see either. "Seriously." Slamming my locker shut, I walk past him and hit his shoulder with mine before turning the corner. I make it into a bathroom stall a few seconds later before dry heaving into the toilet.

My first interaction of the day and I'm already falling apart. And he's not even the worst of them. All of my friends, all of them. I'll have to walk past them and pretend like I haven't spent the last four years with them by my side.

The first bell rings and I wince, "Fuck."

***

By the time it was lunch, the word that I'm back in school had gone around and people whispered as I passed by much more loudly. Now, the rumors were about what I had been doing on my leave of absence, some theories were just flat out preposterous but some people actually hit the nail on the head. Nobody knew exactly what had happened or where I went and I was eternally grateful my sisters hadn't let it slip, knowing their tendency to love being the center of attention. People not knowing was my only safety and the only thing keeping me from breaking down in the middle of this cafeteria.

With my lunch tray in hand, I looked around the lunch room. Usually I would sit with my friends on the outskirts. I glanced briefly towards them but hey paid me no mind — probably already have gotten the word of how I treated Jacob. They were a tight knit group and an attack on one was an attack on all. Biting back a sigh, I made my way outside, passing my sister's table in the middle of the cafeteria with all the other popular people. Neither paid me any attention, too focused on trying on different shades of red lipstick and I slipped by unnoticed, thankfully. Mom and dad had told them to keep a close eye on me and neither had lived up to their expectations, both blatantly avoiding and ignoring me in the hallways when we passed each other.

I threw my lunch into the garbage disposal and found a spot outside in one of the buildings nooks — it was a small area, where the building met another one and it formed a right angle. There were a few bushes and trees covering it so I knew no one would disturb me. I sat on the ground, back leaned up against the wall and plugged my headphones in. I closed my eyes and let music blare through my ears to stop me from thinking. Before I knew it, my head was bobbing from side to side and my mind was drifting away into dreamland.

"Fuck off, Jay," I mutter, crossing my hands in front of my chest. I pouted and looked away.

He grabbed my chin and turned me to face him, "I'm just kidding, Ari. You know I love you," he sang happily. His smile was perfect and pure and in that moment I could tell he truly meant it, no matter what front he tried to put on in front of other people.

Narrowing my eyes, I glare. "You're just saying that so you can kiss me."

"Partly, yes," he laughs, "but also I want you to know that you're perfect and I love you."

With a reluctant smile, I hold his jaw and bring it closer to me. "I fucking love you, Jay," I saw into his shoulder as he hugs me.

He pulls my face up and we stare into each other's eyes for I don't know how long. All I know is that I could get lost in his eyes forever. Finally, me, being the impatient human being I am, give in and lean closer so that our lips meet and oh god I swear I can taste happiness.

I awaken with a start. Judging by the way my eyes stick together when I blink, I was either crying or slept for way too long. I check my cheeks and sigh in relief at the fact that there are no tears.

But that can only meet one thing... I'm late for class.

Looking at my watch, I feel my heart freeze up. I slept through fourth and half of fifth period. Collecting my things, I run clumsily to the theatre where my class is at and hope that my parents don't get too mad when they hear I violated my school contract by missing class and being late.

Fuck.