☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

°•. ┊ Delicate┊.•°
✧ ˚ ━ that meteor strike, act one

CHAPTER TWO — tape 1, side b

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Now

School is hell. It always has been, but it just feels extra demon-ish as of late. Watching these assholes fight so hard to keep their secrets safe and act normal is exhausting. What's even worse is the pep rally being today. I stand at my locker just zoning out when someone slams themselves into the lockers next to my head. "Hey, you see Justin today? He won't answer me and no one's seen him since yesterday." Jessica Davis. Of course.

"No. I haven't." I close my locker and start walking to my class, hoping this conversation will end.

"Well, someone said they saw you guys talking before he left school, so any idea where he'd be?" She asks, following me down the hall.

"No, Jess. I don't know. He talked, I ignored him. Ask Bryce." I state, clearly not in the mood for any human interaction, especially when the conversation involves Justin.

"I have. Bryce said he doesn't know anything. And I swear if Justin bails on me and the pep rally today, I'm gonna lose it. So, can you just try getting in touch with him, please?" She sounds desperate. I knew Bryce was lying, he had to know where he was. I agreed to attempt to get in touch with him. I just texted him and asked where he was, he told me not to worry about it, so I didn't. If he wants to bail on school, let him. It's superficial bullshit anyways. I don't want to be here either, but I want to graduate, so I can leave this stupid town. And no offense to Jessica, but she's already lost it or is at least still losing it because she looks as if she hasn't slept in days. She flips shit at every minor thing, I guess focusing on school and cheer makes dealing with the tapes and Hannah easier.

The day moves rather quickly, teachers weren't too concerned about work, they never are on pep rally days. The cheer squad does what we have too, Justin doesn't show up, shockingly. Jessica runs out and I debate going after her, but side against it. The day ends and I'm back home. Everyday is exactly the same. Just going through the motions. Wake up, school, home, sleep, repeat. I'm so bored. I know exactly what's happening too. It gets worse everyday, but I can't do anything to stop it. And if I'm completely honest, I'm not sure I want to. It's comforting. Being happy is like waiting for the other shoe to drop, constantly wondering when that happiness is going to leave and when you're going to get hurt again. I like sadness. It's consistent in my life. It'll always be there, waiting for you.

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The Slap Heard Round the World

Abbie and I were at Monet's for our daily, after school coffee. I noticed Hannah and Jessica at their usual table and made a mental note to say hi after we got our coffee. Abbie and I ordered and moved to the side to wait. Abbie was complaining about something her volleyball teammates did or said; I'm not entirely sure because I wasn't really paying attention. The barista called our names and we grab our cups. Suddenly, the whole place went silent due to the shock and sound of Jessica slapping Hannah. What the fuck. My sister rushes to check on Hannah and I run out after Jess. "Hey! What the hell was that about?" I ask when I catch up to her.

"I- I'm not sure. The list really just, I guess, shit. I was mad about the list." She fumbles her words.

"Okay? Hannah didn't write the list, so why take it out on her. Alex wrote your names on the list, Zach told me." I explain, hoping to calm her down and smooth over whatever the hell her problem with Hannah was.

"Why would he write it? If Hannah didn't give him a reason to, then why write it?" Stupid question. She asked a stupid ass question.

"You gave him a reason to write it, Jess. He was mad that you dumped him. Ringing any bells here?" I tell her. Jess just looks at me before shaking her head and walking away. I'll say it again, what the fuck. I go back to Monet's and Abbie is standing there with Hannah. "Hey, you good?" I ask.

"Yeah, I'm alright. I just hate that I have officially lost Jessica as a friend." Hannah says sadly.

"Not much of a loss if you ask me." Abbie tells her. We all laugh and sit on a bench across the street to finish our beverages and in an attempt to forget the previous events.

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Now

I was once again back at school, the day after the pep rally. Fun. I pass Jessica and decide it wouldn't hurt to ask if she found Justin. "Hey, find Justin?" I ask, she jumped a little.

"Uh, no, not yet. Have you heard anything?" I debate on telling her about the text he sent me and I choose not to. It wouldn't help her anyways. I shake my head and she snaps. "I just cannot believe he would abandon me like that. What kind of boyfriend is he? He left me to get embarrassed in front of the whole school." She rants. I nod along because she's right, but I wish I wasn't the person she chose to complain to about Justin. I would stand here and listen to her vent about anything/anyone else, but I can't listen to her talk about him.

"I hate to cut this short, but I have to get to French early. I have some make-up work to do. I'll see you later." I rush off before she fully answers and manage to hear her say yeah. Day goes by, same as always. It's after my lunch period and I'm making my way back to class, slowly. I spot Jessica and Clay talking quietly from my position on the stairs and decide to stop and listen. I don't hear much, just Jess calling Hannah a liar, which is a lie. I notice their conversation end and hear Mr. Porter's voice, so I'm assuming Jessica bolted. I just go to class and avoid Clay. I get lost in my own thoughts and before I know it, the final bell rings, except this time I can't make a mad dash for the door. My English teacher stops me, great. She hands me an essay I turned in at the beginning of the week and just tells me to keep up the good work. I got an A+. I really thought she was about to lecture me for some reason. I just smile and head to my car. I pulled into my driveway and get a text from Jess;

Found him. He's been hiding in Bryce's pool house. That asshole lied to me about him.

I laugh dryly to myself before telling her;

That surprises you? I knew Bryce was lying. What a dick.

I make my way inside. Abbie and Sage ask if I want to hangout and watch a movie. I decline and just go to my room, blast music and continue to read "All the Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven for the tenth time. I never really fell asleep that night. Just stared at the ceiling and thought about everything and nothing.

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