Something was off about school the next day. People were staring at me, more than usual. Not the hair, I've worn it. Makeup, same as usual.
Whatever. I'm sure I pissed off Tiffany yesterday, so she probably started another rumor about me.
I skipped first period, not by choice. I'd overslept and had to wait for the later bus to get me here, since I don't have a car, or my beloved, caring aunt would not take me.
Tramp.
A note taped to my locker said. I crumbled it up and threw it in the ground. Whatever the rumor was, it was kinda true. I'm not a slut. I don't hook up with guys everyday, or every weekend at least try not to. But tramp does suit where I am. I pick the note up off the ground and stick it back to my locker. I smooth out the note.
"I see you like your new name."
I roll my eyes at the sound of the squeaky voice.
"Yeah, I might even get it legally changed." I open my locker, pulling out the books for second.
I close my locker to find Tiffany gone. She didn't out much of a fight today. I'm disappointed.
When I got to second, everyone was looking at me again. What was their problem? I took my normal seat. The girl next to me, kept glancing at me while the teacher was taking role.
"You got a problem?" I ask the next time she looked at me.
She shook her hear shyly and turned away from me.
"Joseline Murphy, please go to the front office," Principle Higgins announces over the intercom.
Again, all eyes shift towards me. I pick up my bags and book and leave the room.
Usually when I get called to the office, thing don't end up going my way. Then I leave school for the rest of the day, completely pissed off. I go home and open a beer and paint. That sounds good right about now.
I huff as I open the door. I see Connor standing by the window. He turns around when he hears me.
"What did I do now?" I groan sitting down. Higgins glares at me. Connor just shrugs.
"You tell me," he says furrowing his gray eyebrows.
"Listen, I don't have the slightest clue what is going on today. Whatever you have heard isn't true and I hope that-"
"I told her not to tell anyone," Connor says cutting me off, "She can't get in trouble for this. It's not academic related."
"Can someone tell me what-"
Higgins sends me a glare and then looks at his son like he is about to punch him in the face, "When my son has sexual intercourse with someone, it will affect his academic grades along with his after school activities!"
I feel like I'm about to throw up and die laughing at the same time. I keep my mouth shut and watch the scene unfold in front of me.
"That gives you no right to call Jo here." Connor's hands are now balled into fists.
Where's some popcorn when you need it?
"Joseline has every right to be here. What if you become a father out of this?" Higgins runs his fingers through his hair at the mention of a little one.
Now I just want to laugh.
"I take birth control and we used a condom," I add. Higgins rolls his eyes.
What else did Connor say about our hypothetical sex?
"You kids don't understand the risks you take when you engage in such an activity," Higgins slumps down in his seat. He grabs his stress ball, "I just don't understand why it had to be her." He looks disgusted by me, like I forced his son to have sex with me.
"Okay, nice chat. I see where I stand in this. Fuck you Higgins and your false conclusion." I stand up and walk out of his office slamming the door shut.
I shuffle through my bag to find my cigarettes. I'm already in enough trouble as it is, so I light it.
"Jo!" I hear Connor behind me. I keep walking.
The doors open to the shitty smell of the city. I don't have enough money for a taxi and the next bus doesn't come by till another half hour. Guess I'm stuck walking home.
I turn around to see Connor pushing through people, still yelling my name to get to me.
A black car pulls up beside me. The passenger window rolls down. Seth sits on the other side. He motions for me to get in the car.
Before my mind can catch up to what I'm doing, I'm getting in the car.
Connor stands on the sidewalk. His eyes wide and his hands still on fists.
I take the beer out of Seth's hand and drink it. I roll up the window and Seth drives off.
"Hey babe," Seth says putting his hand on my thigh. I continue to down the beer, "I've been looking everywhere for you."
I glance over at him. His eyes are bloodshot and his hands are shaking, "I've been staying at home a lot lately. Lacey has been cutting back the hours I get to spend out. She thinks I'm going to work for her."
The first part, completely a lie. The second not so much. She has offered me a spot, when I'm eighteen, to work for her.
Seth laughs, "Damn, I could not imagine you standing on a street corner. I'm going to take care of you. This time it's going to be different."
He swerves around cars, speeding to get back to his place. I lean over and kiss him on the cheek.
Seth skids to a stop when I get to his apartment. He runs up the stairs, leaving me to get out of the car.
The door is open when I reach the top of the stairs. His apartment looks the same, beer bottles scattered, clothes on the floor, various empty cigarette packs.
"Jo!" He calls from his room. I step around everything to get to the small room in the back.
Seth crushes up a substances, then he splits it in half with one of his maxed out credit cards.
"Babe, you are in for something." He leans over and snorts the substance. I hesitate moving closer.
This is a complete repeat of what happened last time. I snorted, then he got rough and I was completely unable to function for the next day.
"Not the whole half." Seth divides mine into another half. He takes in the first of mine, letting out a sigh of satisfaction afterwards.
I lean over the table and take in mine. I feel a sudden rush. Seth pulls my arm and throws me in the bed.
"Hold on," I say.
"I've waited long enough." Seth pulls my shirt off. I hear the sound of fabric tearing. I try to move but he pushes me down on the bed.
"You're hurting me."
"Good," he says taking off my bra. He takes my hair and puts it into his fist, pulling hard upward. He kisses me forcefully.
I feel lightheaded. Nothing else comes to my mind as he continues to shove his tongue down my throat.
Stop! Seth you are hurting me stop!
Nothing moves from my lips.
Move arm. Move.
My arm moves all but a couple of inches, due to his weight. It's not going to be much longer until he wants to-
He unzips my pants. His hands moving down, his younger still down my airway.
My arm moves. I take the lamp and smash it on his head. He falls over. I kick him off of me. As soon as I stand up, my legs give out making me fall against the table. I quickly stand up, gathering my clothes. I grab a twenty from the counter.
"You bitch!" He yells. I slam the front door.
I get changed while running down the starts. I hail a taxi when I get in the street.
"Take me home," I mumble holding my head. I can see Seth running down the stairs.
"Ma'm, I don't know where you live."
He's getting closer.
"Just drive!" I yell pointing forward. I look behind me at Seth. A scowl on his face, as he does a one finger wave.