Desolate

You are not alone!!!!!

It is a bright sunny day. Scott is leaving out of town for a few days. "Jamie, honey, come downstairs and have your breakfast. Jamie enters the kitchen; her mother is baking pancakes, her favorite, "Mom, the bus is outside. I got to go," " OK, honey, have a good day at school. Jamie puts on her Jacket, heads outside, and climbs into the bus, "come on, Lilah, you are going to be late."

It feels odd not having Jamies friend sit beside her, "Hey, I am Justin; nice to meet you" This boy sits beside her. He is the same age as her.

"Do I know you?"

"Hey guys, look, it is Justin the retard," says the bigger guys who enter the bus. Do not be so mean to him he has done nothing to you. I am not talking to you says the bigger kid. Shut your mouth, little lady. Nick now walks up to them, Joe "what is your problem? Why are you picking on them? Nick, you know we are playing man. Why are you, friends, with these losers? Nick looks down at Jamie, Hey are you ok? Jamie shakes her head, "so are we practicing after school"? They now all walk to the back of the bus.

How do you know Nick? I bumped into him one day on my way to the park with Tracy." This guy asks too many questions; he does not dare to stand up to Joe. Shut up! Excuse me? Sorry I was thinking of a song.

They arrive at School as Justin and Jamie become closer friends. Lilah is starting to like Justin. He is funny and talkative, Raphael has his suspicions about Justin, but Lilah always shuts him up whenever he mentions Justin's name, Justin is from an average family. His mother and father are Christian and very well-known church members, Justin invited Lilah over one Sunday, and they shared a family lunch.

Jamie felt strange enough more at home over at Justin's place; his parents were so welcoming, and they never had that classic lifestyle; they were humble, "You a beautiful young lady," said Justin,s Mom thank you, Mrs.Silverton "The dish you served was very nice." "It is a pleasure, dear."

"Why don,t you kids go play while I get you some dessert." Justin then told Jamie to follow him to his room, where he pulled out a gameboard under his bed. What game is this, she said? It is a game everyone plays. They call it voodoo. "I love games."

Jamie comes from a country that never had all these worldly things. She was unfamiliar with the game; how do you play this game, OK, so you close your eyes and put your hand over mine. We put our hand on this cursor; he then went on explaining how it works. I love this game said, Lilah. Raphael smiled with his dark eyes as he glanced over to Lilah.

"Justin, Jamie, come get your dessert," they both ran down the staircase and collected their dessert. She made a trifle, "this looks delicious," Jamie and sat on the swing as they ate their trifle, "Let's make a promise, "this should be interesting," said Lilah. I wonder what promise he is making. Ok, what is the commitment? Said Jamie, that no matter what happens to us in life, we will never lose contact, OK, promise said Jamie as she extended her hand. No, not like this, follow me. Jamie follows him to the room as he pulls out the voodoo board and inside the cursor is a circle hole.

It is the first time I see something like this said, Raphael. I like it said, Lilah. Justin now takes a knife out. It would not hurt; he makes a small cut on the side of his palm and squeeze the blood into the hole of the cursor, Ok your turn he says as he cuts a small amount onto Jamie,s hand and squeezes her blood on the top of his in the hole of the circle now let us shake on it, Jamie shakes his hand.

Great deal sealed Justin grins; that afternoon, Jamie went home feeling a little light-headed. She went to lay down. Wake up, Jamie; it is dinner, says Diah. Handing her a pill and a glass of water, "do not take that pill. It is the poison. We just woke up; they want us to sleep again" Jamie puts it under her pillow. So it is just you tonight and my honey. Do you want to watch a movie? No, Jamie shakes her head.

"You look pale, are you ok"? Yes, maybe you should lay down a bit. "I told you she is trying to poison you; all she wants us to do is sleep" "tonight is the perfect opportunity to kill her" Leave your sister alone says Lilah's mom. She will not be killing anyone tonight or tomorrow. Honey, are you sick says Lilahs Mom; yes, Mom, it is after that voodoo thing that Justin and I played with; what voodoo thing? Justin took out this awesome board game, mom, and they were calling out something, and I could have sworn I saw grandma and Grandpa.

Ok, kids, tomorrow is another day. Come over to the house after school.OK, Mom.

Jamie now heads off to school and spends the day with her new friend Justin. There is something I need to tell you. Jamie takes out. Are apple; sure? What is it you would like t tell me?

I like you since the day I met you. Jamie put the apple aside and look up at Justin, "You mean like as in a friend, right? No more than a friend says, Justin, but what we have now is good, says Jamie love, like it will all complicate what we have. Justin looks up at Jamie. I am sorry for saying this.

Ruining our friendship is the last thing I want to do. But it is hard to be friends with someone I like, which is why I told you.

Justin looks down, playing with the teaspoon on the table." Look at him so vulnerable and desperate."He is not. I am not what? Nothing" he thinks because you had lunch with him, you owe him a relationship."

Listen, I like you as a friend, nothing more. I saw you as a brother when I met you, and that would not. The right girl is out there waiting for you, but please do not let this come between us. "he play with that spoon like he wants to stab you with it."

"Give him a chance. I mean, look how vulnerable and awkward he is feeling right now."

Is there someone else specific you like? No, says Jame I am just not in the mood for this relationship is always the drama that follows. How would you know there will be drama if you never gave us a shot?

"He is so desperate it makes me want to throw up" Hey, if it's not the dork and Mr. loverboy. Justin is upset at being rejected, and now this guy is teasing him. Justin stands up and grabs the guy by the chest. The other guys now grab him by his arm as the guy he grabbed hits him in the stomach.

I wish you guys can grow up, "I am telling the principal about you. The biggest guy now turns back grabs her by the hair, wanting to punch her in the face as she dares him to hit her? Come hit me, Jamie, persist you nothing but an abuser! Nick now intervenes and pushes Joe, Dude, what is your problem, man? Since when do you hit women? Joe now looks around and realizes there is a crowd of kids looking at him. I had it under control says, Jamie. I know you did. I was just making sure he does not get hurt, Nick Jokes," Jamie blushes. "Let's go says Justin as Jamie stares into Nick's eyes.

No wonder he is every girl's ideal man, he stood up for her, and he is so gentle and caring "this is our type of guy, says Lilah," Jamie ignores Lilah staring into Nick,s eyes. Jamie, we got to go says Justin. I am coming. Justin hates the fact that Jamie likes Nick. So about our conversation we had earlier, would you consider the answer. "all Jame can think of right now is Nick."

What conversation says, Jamie? The one where you said you would consider us being a couple. I noted that Jamie frowns; I said I do not see you more than a brother. The bell rings for them to go home. Justin usually walks with her, but today, he did not show up, and she was waiting twenty minutes "he is not coming because he cannot handle rejection too well, "Lilah keeps quiet, says Raphael, you have expressed your say wholeday give it a break. Jamie laughs. Are you guys always fighting like this? Yes says, Lilah.

Glad you came; all my kids are in one room finally. The reason I asked all of you to come is that we will be going on a trip. So we wanted to say goodbye, Jamie." But Mom, you can't leave me on my own with these people," You will be fine, honey. I spoke to Diah, and she said she would be more than happy to have you around."But why can't I go with"?Your schooling, honey, and Your life are here with your friend Justin."Mom, now why can,t I stay by her? says, Lilah.

No, this is not up for discussion. Now Lilah and Raphael greet your sister.

"Jamie walks to the mirror. "Nobody wants me, "that is not true. You are the best sister anyone could ask for, "Jamie smiles" Looking up at Lilah, you look great. I am sure where ever mom is taking you, it is going to be a great place.

Jamie, "look up into the mirror as the room becomes dark and all she sees is herself"

Walking down the staircase, Jamie reaches the bottom, and something is shining on the floor; it is a silver ring as she bends down to pick it up. Looking at it, It is plain silver as she notices an engraving on the inside of the ring. She tilts the call to take a look at the inside.

It is a ring with Lilah,s name on it; she fits it on her finger and is a perfect fit. Jamie now walks out the door looks back; knowing this is the last time she will be coming to this house she smiles.

"Hush baby, don't say a word; mommy is going to buy you a mockingbird, and if that Mocking bird won't sing, Lilah's name is written on this silver ring," Jamie hops happily home. Arriving at the house, Jamie is excited to show her mom the ring. MRS. Diah is in the kitchen chopping up onions.

"Hey honey, you back from school," Yes, mom. "How was school today"? It was so much fun. Mom Jamie is playing with the ring on her finger, turning it. "What is that on your finger, honey. "It is a ring my friend Lilah gave me."

That is very nice of Lilah, "Is that your new friend, honey? "Yes, Jamie nods her head.

"OK, Honey, Go wash up and come downstairs to have your lunch," Jamie is smiling. OK, Mom. Jamie sings as she runs up the stairs.

It is the first time Diah has had a normal conversation with her daughter in a long time. She is happy to tell Robert the great news when he gets back.

Jamie is sitting on the edge of her bed, staring into the mirror, combing her hair. There is No Lilah and No Raphael. Just Jamie, "She put on the radio," Lilah, are you there? She whispers, "Mom is listening."there is no response" She now picks up her phone and dials Justin,s number.

"Hey, do you want to come over?" Sure says Justin, "but are you sure after what happened between us"?Yes, says Jamie, she is wearing her white skirt and the Ring from Lilah. She looks up in the Mirror as there is a glow around her pupil." She is chewing bubble gum." "The doorbell rings as Jamie runs down the staircase," who is that, honey? Friend's Mom, "who, Lilah? I am excited to meet her. Jamie opens the door, and Justin enters. " Hi Mrs. Diah," This is Justin, Mom," for a moment, her mother is surprised to see Jamie brought a guy home. "Hi, Justin, nice to meet you. "Thank you, Mam.

"Hey, come with me says Jamie taking his hand" Honey, where are you going to?" My room, Mom."

OK, leave the room door open, "I know, Mom," "Jamie folds her hand over Justin's eye," taking him to the bed and sitting him down facing the mirror. She now brings her hand off his eyes. "What am I looking at? Do you not see the difference in me? No says, Justin. She now pushes Justin backward on the bed, climbs on top of him, and kisses him. "Your Mom is walking up the stairs. Justin pushes Jamie off him as she sits up straight."

I brought you a sandwich. I figured you might be hungry. Jamie now stands up and takes the plate from her mother" thank you, MRS. DIAH"

This is odd behavior from Jamie "she puts the plate down on the bed, looking at the ring turning it on her finger; there is something about this ring that changes her into a more daring person. Justin now grins, so can we catch up where we left off?LEAVE! "EXCUSE ME?" I SAID LEAVE! Jamie stands up, holding the door.

"Jamie, can we please talk about this?"Jamie smiles, looks at him lifts her skirt. Do you want more of this?"Justin is confused can,t believe his eyes. "She pushes the door close and seduces him."

"Does this now mean we are officially a couple? "Jamie sits up and gets dressed. Looking in the mirror as she brushes her hair," Justin leans over to kiss her, but she pushes him away" she displays no affection or emotion as she pushes him away."I am going to go. I will see you tomorrow at school. Jamie says nothing as he leaves the room, and she hears him greeting her Mother.

Scott arrives, " Welcome back, honey" Jamie is sitting by the dining table. Hi Scott, she smiles, eating her food." Jamie shows some respect," says Diah. I am showing respect; that is why I greeted him, mom. Scott greets her as he puts his coat over the sofa. Jamie stands up, picks up his jacket, putting it on a hanger.

Thank you, Honey says, Scott, surprised. How are you, honey? I heard you made some new friends at yes, says Jamie. I am better now; she slices her meat with a knife and a fork. "Excuse me?" Mom, I know you think that I am not well, but I am much better now. My friend Lilah helped me overcome this sickness." Scott frowns"

How is she helping you? She talks to me, and she is so funny, mom. "Scott cuts a piece of the steak and chew it" So how is she, your friend? What is her name now again? "Lilah "She is good." What grade is she in, honey? Grade eight Mom. When can we meet her? I am not sure, Mom I will have to ask her. So who was that boy you were with earlier?"A BOY?"Where was he says Scott, "Diah Realizes she made a mistake mentioning this boy.

They were playing outside, she says before Jamie answers, "I almost thought you said he was in the house?" NO Honey, I will never allow that. "She looks at Jamie."The boy's name is Justin; his parents are god-fearing people. So you met his parents, says Scott" Yes, I met his parents on Sunday.

"Scott looks over at Diah" So why am I only now hearing of this? Same here, honey, Says Diah," so you are telling me you do not know what your daughter is up to in the day?

Who is this Justin to you, Jamie? Just a friend Scott. I would appreciate it if you do not blame my Mom for your insecurities! Jamie! "Diah snaps. "Go to your room at once.

Jamie stands up, takes her plate to the kitchen, and closes her room door.

"So you think I brought her down to bring guys home and stay over at their house?"

No, "Do you not see she is finally getting well, and she is meeting new people, and it's a whole new chapter in her life, and she is a teenager."

"I can see she is well and that whole thing that was happening was just a lie."

"So you saying I am lying to you about how she was when you saw it with your own eyes."

Listen, all I am saying is if she stays under my roof, she will live by my rules. There are no two ways about this.

Diah goes to the room and bangs close her room door.

Scott stands up, looking in the mirror, loosening his tie. I do not know how much more longer I can do this, he says to himself.

He punches the wall.

Jamie is by the mirror, writing lipstick on it. She wrote Raphael's name on the mirror. Looking down on her, find at the ring. I wish you were here, she says, turning the circle on her finger. She now goes downstairs to get water and see Scott watching television in the lounge with a beer.

"Jamie, come over here." "Jamie is holding her white teddy bear. Jamie walks over to Scott". I noticed you have an attitude. No, I do not, Scott. You the one holding a grudge against me since I got here; come over here, he says as he pulls her onto his lap, gripping her. "You better change your attitude before I change it for you. "Jamie pulls away. "If you do that again, I will scream "she throws her doll down to the ground and puts her hand to Scott's neck" If I Scream and tell everyone you were molesting me, you will be imprisoned for life."

"Scott gulps" You will start treating me right as well as my mom. I would not hesitate to go to the police; you will lose your career and sit behind bars. I learned that molesters do not get treated well in prison.

Jamie appears confident and in control. She looks nothing like Jamie Scott knew when she arrived.

Jamie now smiles, "So daddy will you be kind enough to get me milk" Scott looks at her and stands up from the couch, getting her milk as she picks up her Teddy Bear and Hops upstairs.

Diah Now enters the lounge. Scott, what was that noise I was hearing? Scott wants to tell Diah what happened but says nothing knowing that Jamie is right. Even if those are false allegations, Jamie is minor, and the law is on her side.

Nothing Honey, "Scott switches off the tv as they go to the room," "Jamie's ear was against the room door, listening to see if Scott was going to her mother what just happened. She closes the room door and smiles, drinking her milk."

"Honey." The sun is up. Get ready for school. Jamie is already by the kitchen table. All dressed as Scott comes out of the room and looks over at her, surprised she is up before he is." It is a whole new Jamie." Honey, you up early, say Diah; Jamie smiles, I made you breakfast. "Diah looks over at Scott."

This is pleasantly surprising, honey. "Scott nods his head."So are you joining us? No, says Scott, I have a meeting," but dear, she went through all this effort of doing this for us, and you never mentioned anything about a meeting last night.

It is okay, Mom. I think I heard something about a meeting when he came in, so I also prepared his lunch. Diah is proud of how Jamie turned out; she became more independent and so much more helpful."Thank you. Says Scott kissing Diah on the cheek, avoiding eye contact with Jamie."

He is acting strange since last night, says Diah. Did you guys talk when I was in the room? Mom, I was asleep, but you had milk sometime? I got up for milk, yes Mom, but everything was off also the tv. I never mentioned the tv being on, honey? I heard it was on. "Diah knows that Jamie's story does not add up but chooses to ignore it."

Have a great day, honey, and thank you for breakfast. Sure thing, Mom, Jamie; hold on, what is that short leather dress you are wearing? When did you purchase that dress? From my friend Lilah's Mom.

"Diah Frowns" is that what Lilah wears to school?"Yes, mom" Well, you not Lilah, so you cannot be wearing that; go put on something else. But mom, there is not enough time to change. I am going to miss the bus. Ok, but this is going to the trash when you get back from school. Lilah would not b happy it was a gift from her mother."A gift from her mother" Where is her Mom? She left Lilah behind when they moved. I am running late Mom, are you now done with the questions.

Yes, of course, honey "call me if you are not feeling well. "I am fine, MOM."

Good honey, now go your bus is waiting for you. Have a great day, Mom. Diah looks at Jamie; she changed so much. She is proud of Jamie. Climbing on the bus, Jamie goes to the back of the bus, "Jamie, where you were going, says Justin" the guys on the bus are whistling at Jamie's short skirt as she walks up to Nick with confidence, telling Joe to move. Nick is surprised at how Jamie,s self imaged boosted.

"So, Nick, are you available later today?"Yes, why? Well, maybe I can come over to your place ad you could show me around. The cheerleader who is sitting in front of Nick looks to the back.

Trish is the captain of the cheerleading squad; she has long blonde hair, blue eyes light in complexion, and she has a strict diet where she does not eat meat,

She was Nick,s ex-girlfriend, and the feelings were still there. But because of pride, she would not tell him she still loves him. They were dating for five years and broke up because of one night at a party; she overdid it with alcohol, and she ended up sleeping with his friend.

"This new girl Jamie is such a fake"Did you see that dress she was wearing? It is so short!"

"She is so all over Nick." Trish and the other cheerleaders look back at Jamie.

"Did you forget or lose something in the back, says Jamie?"

"Yes, we forgot that your vintage dress is still sold at half price says," Trish. Those are high words coming from a blonde girl who cheated on the guy she was with for five years because she could not handle the alcohol.

Nick's friends start to laugh." Trish has never felt this humiliated before," and everyone in the back of the bus is laughing at Trish's call.

Nick looks over at Trish and shakes his head. The bus now stops, and "everyone in the bus climbs out" Justin waits for her by the bus door.

She now climbs out of the bus"what was that all about?" What are you talking about? "you went to sit in the back by Nick" Jamie now tucks Justin's arm in hers "are you jealous?"She smiles, No says, Justin. I was a little worried you ditched me for him. I hope I never gave you the wrong Idea yesterday.

Just because we slept together does not make us officially a couple. Besides, I see you as a friend. I like Nick is more popular and everything you are not" she now tucks out her arm from him" So are we good as friends? Yes, sure, says Justin. "On the inside, he is angry and got so many words to tell her but chooses to say nothing."

I will see you at lunchtime. Jamie now walks up ahead and tucks her arm between Nicks's arms, walking the school way passage. Look at how much attention we are getting, says Jamie "they probably hate us being together" we are not together, and I would appreciate it if you let go of my arm. Fine suit yourself says, Jamie. "She now walks over to the older football team as the guys are all standing around her trying to get her attention." "Nick glances over at Jamie."

He feels a slight Jealousy; The bell now goes off she heads to the classroom, "It is their exams, and she never studied for the test, but for some or other reason, she knows the answers to all the questions, she is the first to complete the exam. As she hands in the exam paper, the assessor is surprised; you took five minutes with the fastest paper ever. Did you complete all the answers, Yes Sir, Trish looks up at Jamie and is still struggling with her first question?

She is intelligent and beautiful, Trish thinks to herself, and she has the confidence to match up to her looks.

"May I please be excused?" Yes, you completed your exam, so it is okay. "Jamie goes to the lady's bathroom and looks at herself in the mirror," and turns the ring on her finger; it is making a red rash as she removes it and scratches her finger, placing the ring on her right index finger," "You got this Jamie she looks at herself in the mirror I can do this."

It is starting to rain as she hears the rain crashing against the bathroom window and roof,

"There is an announcement on the radio."

Jamie Can hear the kids screaming in the hallway as the teachers try to control their students.

"Trish is standing alone, looking frightened." Jamie now walks up to Trish. Trish looks at her up and down. What do you want? How about we bury the Hatchet and become friends? NO! We come from two different worlds. "suit yourself," Jamie walks away as Justin approaches her. I got something I need to get off my chest. What was that all about earlier. I am sure us sleeping together meant something to you. It meant nothing to me. It was meaningless.

One day your day will come, and you will look back on your words. You need to chill out; we have a storm heading towards us, and all you are focused on is a relationship? No, not a relationship. I just want to know if it meant anything to you? No says, Jamie.

You changed Jamie to someone else; your whole outlook and character and personality all changed. Since when do you even wear short skirts? I do not Justin, "but what I wear are my preference and taste.

You should stop focusing on what I am doing, "and focus more on what you are doing"!

From downstairs, all the students can hear the storm ripping things to pieces upstairs.

I wish you here, Raphael with Lilah and me we need you.

Nick walks or to Jamie with his hands in his pocket and apologizes for earlier. No apology needed, says Jamie. It is said and done. But I like you, Jamie, "I liked you also" but not anymore, what do you mean not anymore? We just started liking each other today. Here are two interesting facts about me, Nick. One, I hate being rejected; two, I hate being embarrassed.

Now kindly go back to the corner you came from and leave me alone. "Nick looks at her. "As you wish, he Trish overheard the whole conversation. She so badly wants to look like Jamie. She is confident and intelligent." That is why Nick wants her so bad because she never dated anyone in the school."

The loud beeping noise now goes off from outside. It is a warning that the storm is out f control and extra precaution needs to take place. "After a loud sound, the lights go off."

If you have your phone, please switch on the torch of your phone says, Jamie. We might be stuck here. The wind might have blown over something in front of this door; now, we cannot open it from inside. I cannot breathe, says this other kid.

There are banging sounds all around them as they hear how the storm is ripping everything apart. Jamie then checks for a signal on her phone, but there is no reception to call someone for help. We will have to wait it out and go slow on the food supplies, says the principal." But we will all be okay."