Dying Innocence

My Hate & Anger but knowing there's still good in her

The days passed and I still remained her friend. She had graduated high school. I found out who her man was. It was Memorial Day, Petey’s Month to have us. We were at the ballfields in Oskaloosa for Heather's softball tournaments, it was more like November than May. I called Mercedes numerous times in 6 hours. I texted her, “Call me now.” She replied, “No.” I texted me, “Why are you being a b***h?” She replied back, “Dustin Stop.” I found out she unfriended me on f*******: when I got home because of my volatile behavior. On the next to last day of school, Miss Neeson called me into her classroom and told me that my behavior and harassing Mercedes Was rude. I obliged and started doing finals for semester tests. I got home to Ottumwa at 6:00. Petey and Heather’s faces were redder than cherries. They told me to forfeit my electronics and I did. My mom, Petey, and Fiona gave me a lecture about Mercedes Being bad and the way I retaliated against Mercedes. They sent me to bed without supper and Fiona Told me to stay the hell away from Mercedes Because of her vulgar behavior. I never thought of Mercedes For a while and I knew Fiona's craziness, I would be shot. Despite their objections, I wanted a truce with Mercedes.

As summer faded away to fall, I went through a total metamorphosis. My hair went from brown to black. My school pride shirts and hoodies to graphic tees and skull hoodies. Athletic pants to Jeans and Baggy gothic pants. My music tastes from pop and country to mainly metal and emo. But I kept my popularity and friends. I had gone emo because of the trauma of the Mercedes Incident. I accepted Mercedes's apology but it was unforgivable what she did. I started cross country like normal. On the 5th day of sophomore year, it was the end of 8th hour gym and almost time for cross country practice. I saw Mercedes Walking into the Hallways. It had been 3 months since we talked and knowing my instinct was to run like hell. I screamed in panic because Mercedes Was evil according to Fiona. Fiona Was my psychotic stepmonster who was pompous, arrogant and hellbound. I faced Mercedes And said, "Hi." She said, "Hey Stardust , I noticed you went emo." I said, "Yep." I took a photo confirming a truce between us. My sister saw everything and being a rat like Candace Flinn, Shelly told Petey and Fiona. Fiona said, "You shouldn't be running cross country." I said under my breath, "You should be burning in hell." I went to my mom's the following week still running cross country. The truce worked between me and Mercedes, she was still my friend but I didn't forgive her. I still talked behind Petey and Heather's back. At my oldest brother Nick's wedding, I told Fionaand Petey if I was seen with Mercedes, she would throw me in the Des Moines River as a punishment. I kept my friendship with Mercedes A secret from them.

As sophomore year became junior year, I moved to Petey and Heather's. It was hell. It was a Friday night in December 2010 at the basketball game. Brandon Reed and I were being silly and we saw some girls to hit on. Taylar Swartz and Mercedeswere sitting in the bleachers above us. Mercedes Had her hair curled and was wearing a black mid sleeve shirt and Jeans. I said, "Hey Mercy" She said, "Hi Dustin , how are you?" I told her that Bebe Cartman had screwed me over and hurt me. She said, "I'm terribly sorry." I start my potty mouth by describing Bebe. Mercedes Said, "Those words are naughty!" I joked, "I have Tourettes." Taylar said, "Doesn't matter." I asked her if she wanted a photo, she said, "Yeah." Taylar took the photo and I uploaded it to f*******:. I went to watch the game until Petey showed up and picked me and Reese up. I went home and took my Family Guy muscle shirt off and went to bed. I woke up the next morning and Fionaquestioned me about the game. I said, "Mercedes." She asked me questions about her vulgar activities, and I said, "No." I said to her, "Are you gonna throw me in the River?." She said, "No, my dear boy, you are good friends again with her and I approve." I was relieved and happy. I saw Mercedes four times after that night until graduation and we lost touch for years.