After the fall
1344 Words
I locked myself in the bathroom stall and stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying to recognize the girl everyone had just destroyed.
I had never been embarrassed and humiliated until the day I walked out of the cafeteria.
By the time the bell rang, I was no longer Parkview's high Queen.
My crown didn't just fall quietly - it shattered.
And everyone watched it happen.
They laughed and recorded.
I was now going to be the girl everyone whispered about for the most horrible reasons.
I knew my Dad was back home already because I heard the sound of the engine as he pulled up in garage. I arranged myself in the mirror so I could step out of my room.
My Dad had already informed us that when he gets back he wants to have a word with my elder brother and I .
I rolled my eyes, remembering how annoying my brother could be. I just had a feeling my brother was involved in this sudden sermon my Dad was about to give us. My Dad sounded really mad when he informed us that he would like to talk to us.
I sighed.
'I don't really have much to say, so I won't be wasting most of your time. Allison, I'll love you to listen carefully and learn from what Tyler had done'.
I rolled my eyes at my brother, Tyler as my Dad finished his sentence. I was very certain it was him this time.
Mr. Foster turned and faced Tyler.
'Tyler,I don't know what kind of life you want. I gave you everything a child could ever want, I gave time for relevant advice but you went to that crazy party with some lunatic kids, you ended up fighting with them as you all were stupidly drunk'. Do u know the worst part...?' Mr. Foster furiously asked Tyler.
'That car race you got involved in did not only damage your car but also got someone injured.
Now I'm paying for an innocent girl hospital bills'. My Dad shouted as he smacked his hand on the table.
'Anyways, your mother and I has concluded that no more parties for u guys. Try and wear yourselves a new behavior'. My Dad hissed as he concluded his discussion with us and stood up from his sit.
I laid on my bed, exhausted. I started as the ceiling fan as it spun circles that never went anywhere.
My phone rested beside me, screen dark, no missed calls, no notification just my reflection staring faintly at me from my black glass.
I had friends - at least that what it looked like online and when they all surrounded me at school. Smiles in pictures, laughter in the hallways. When I needed someone to talk to, someone to share the load that was heavy on me, I couldn't call a name without a feeling like a burden.
The people who I shared the same roof with were too busy to realize that I wasn't feeling emotionally strong, instead the overwhelmed me with their own problem.
No one asked how my days went.
I covered myself with my duvet as it colder. I cried out all my pain on my pillow.
I woke up late today. I guessed I was really overwhelmed by the whole situation. I didn't feel like stepping my foot in school ever again, I wasn't sure if I could cope but staying at home is worse.
I gotta face my problem and maybe build my empire again.
I got up from my bed and prepared for school.
When I got to school, I wasn't feeling like attending any lectures. I went to the basketball court. No one was there so it was really what I needed.
My mind flash backed to the whispers I heard as I walked through the hallway. Paula, Karen and Patricia must have felt very happy about what happened to me.
The basketball court was empty.
No squeaking shoes.
No shouting.
No laughter echoing off the walls.
Just silence - and I.
I sat on the lowest bleacher, shoulders curled inward, elbows resting on my knees like I was trying to fold myself smaller.
My face was turned away from the court, but the tears kept coming anyway, slipping down quietly, stubborn, like they didn't care where I was.
I didn't hear him at first.
The door creaked softly behind me, barely loud enough to register. I wiped my face quickly, rough and careless, already embarrassed at the thought of being seen, even though no one ever came here this time.
But he did_ Aaron Briggs
I didn't want to raise my head up so he won't see me crying but I saw his foot as he walked to the opposite side of the court and let the ball drop.
It bounced once.
The sound made me flinch.
I looked up shockingly, startled, eyes still glossy, breath catching halfway between a sob and a sigh.
Our eyes met
He didn't ask why I was crying.
He didn't ask if I was okay.
He just said, quietly,
'Court's usually louder than this.'
It wasn't a joke. Not really.
I shrugged, wiping my cheek with the sleeve of my uniform.
'Guess it needed a break'.
He nodded, like that made sense.
He bounced the ball again, slower this time, the steady rhythm filling the silence without crowding it. Then he sat down on the floor, back against the bleachers-far enough to give me space, close enough to stay.
We didn't talk.
I felt all his aura.
Aaron was a very quiet guy, everyone usually wonders what he was up to because he was always on his own.
I was shocked that he was in the basketball team.
I guess he has a talent in something apart from always being silent.
For the first time, I saw something different and special in Aaron.
The way his jersey hung on him looked so cool,
The way he gave me space and still taking my attention.
He looked like someone who would care.
Most importantly, he looked like someone I could use to get put of my misery.
I took my bags, stood up and arranged my skirt.
I looked at him and our eyes met.
The look on his face as his black hair dropped down slightly touching his nose felt cute.
I looked away and walked out the court.
When I walked into the cafeteria, whispers filled the air.
I took my food and went to a silent corner of the cafeteria. I looked around and saw Nicholas with Paige sitting on what used to be my usual spot.
Of course, those useless leeches, Patricia, Paula and Karen sat with Nicholas. They needed to find a new host.
Many sad memories came to my mind. I couldn't take it anymore.
I started to walk out of the cafeteria. As I looked down not wanting my eyes to meet with anyone else, someone's shoulder hit mine.
I took a deep breath in and turned around.
It was Paige.
'Oops'. Paige used her other hand to wipe the shoulder she hit me with and gave a mockery laughter.
I knew it was intentional.
Paige had become a psycho.
I ignored all the laughter and left. I quickly walked towards the store room so I could pour out my tears.
As I reached the door, about to open the door, I heard someone's voice. It sounded like the person was on a call. A kind of call you wouldn't want anyone to be aware of.
' I told you, I'm done with that life. This time I'm doing it clean. Nobody knows, they can't. Not at all'. The person sounded furious as he ended the call.
Curiosity didn't let me leave, I opened the door.
My heart trembled as I saw Aaron.
Why was he on that call?
What was he up to?
I already knew I had a lot to discover cause I wasn't ready to act like I didn't hear that.
- Writer
