Prologue
It’s the first week of Freshman year and I’m in the gym waiting for cheer tryouts. Tony and I are waiting for Sarah but she hasn’t shown and tryouts are about to start. Tony suggested I go look for her so she wouldn’t be late. I checked the classrooms but came up empty. I was going to give up but heard voices in the computer lab.
Glancing into the glass I see Sarah, so I decided to go in. Opening the door I didn’t expect her to be with anyone else. “Hey Sarah, Tony wanted me to…” I paused when I see her with Jeremy. This is odd since Jeremy isn’t her type. She told us she wouldn’t date out of her status. Either way, I’m happy for her.
Sarah immediately stepped away from him blushing. His eyes fill with hurt but try to mask it. “I was asked to come find you. Tryouts are in five minutes we need to hurry.” Pulling my hand, she dragged me away from the computer lab.
“You can’t tell anyone what you saw. My reputation would be ruined if they found out. Promise me you won’t tell anyone. I don’t want rumors spread about me.”
“I promise now let’s go.” She sighs in relief and we go to the gym. I go back to Tony and wait till tryouts are over.
Times passes and no one asked where she was before tryouts. Maybe she blew it out of proportion. Around third period Sarah found out she made the cheer squad. It wasn’t until the end of the day her mood changed.
One of the cheerleaders pulled her aside to speak with her. Her smile dropped. We tried asking her what’s wrong but she wouldn’t speak to us. Deciding to leave it alone to not make matters worse. Saying goodbye I went home and did my homework. My mind was still on Sarah. What could they have said to make her upset?
I decided to text her to see if she’s okay. When we asked her at school she blew it off like it was nothing. Hours went by and she didn’t respond. I thought she was busy or already asleep. Tomorrow at school I’ll make sure then.
Well, tomorrow came and it wasn’t good. Arriving at school I kept receiving dirty looks. Even my friends were giving me the cold shoulder. All except Cassandra, she defended me when no one else would. It got to the point where I was called a cheater. What did I do to make everyone mad at me?
Running into Tony wasn’t the best encounter. He wasn’t happy with me either. We’ve been friends for years and I’ve never seen him this upset. I thought he would at least have my back on the situation.
“How could you do that to Sarah? She trusted you with everything?”
“Tony, what are you talking about I haven’t done anything? Everyone has a grudge against me today.”
“Sarah told everyone that you stole the guy she liked. She saw you two hooking up in the computer lab the day of tryouts. I thought we were friends, but friends don’t do that to each other.”
“I would never do that please believe me.”
“I’m sorry but I can’t” He gave me a disgusted look and walked away. It hurt for him to look at me like I was nothing. My life is being turned upside down right before my eyes. Years of friendship down the drain.
How could she betray me like this? Spotting her in the hall I grab her hand and take us to an empty classroom. “Really Sarah, how could you stab me in the back? You told everyone a lie and I’m suffering the consequences. Thanks to you everyone hates me. Fix this now.” I shouted the last word and she flinched.
“It’s just till everything calms down. I didn’t want to tell the cheerleaders the truth yesterday. They would have made fun of me for liking a nerd.”
“So you’re letting them attack me to save yourself. All because you think the cheerleaders won’t accept you. Get over yourself and come clean now.”
“When people stop asking I will. You already promised you wouldn’t tell anyone about Jeremy.” She smiles and leaves the room. Leaving me frustrated that she would risk our friendship over a lie.
Throughout the day the bullying increased and Sarah just watched. Cassandra isn’t hateful but has yet to speak to me. The whispers became too much so I left to the bathroom. Tears pouring down my face. My hands clench into fists to stop myself from having a panic attack.
I stare into the mirror my eyes puffy from crying. Why did this happen to me? “Elena are you okay?” Taking my gaze from the mirror I notice Cassandra by the door.
“Go away I want to be left alone. Go back to your friends.”
“You’re my friend and your feelings matter to me.” She comes closer and I fall into her embrace. She doesn’t say anything as I cry on her shoulder. This is all I needed from her. The comfort of having someone on my side.
We stayed in there until my breathing returns to normal. Instead of finishing school, I go home trying to forget the hurtful words. Their drowning my thoughts. How can they be so cruel?
That night I stay in my room. I just hope Sarah comes clean and everything will go back to normal. I miss my friends. All I have is Cassandra and for that I’m thankful. I’m scared it will end badly for her. Part of me knows I can handle it but not her.
*****
Day by day the bullying continued. Sarah managed to turn everyone against me. Somehow Cassandra manages to stay on my side. I lost all hope that Sarah would tell the truth and end my suffering. My parents are never home and I’m struggling. Work is their main priority.
One day the bullying became too much and I cut my arm. I felt relief for the first time in a month. Cutting is my escape from Sarah and everyone else. From my own reality. Cassandra started to get bullied because she helped me. That was the day they truly broke her and I should have prevented it.
I was putting away my books in my locker when Sarah and her friends showed up. At first, I ignored them in hopes that they would leave. “What’s up freak?” Clenching my hands I remain calm.
“Leave me be Sarah I’m not in the mood for your games.” I go to leave when Sarah shoves me to the ground. Landing on my cuts I hiss in pain. Cassandra pushes through the crowd and comes to my aid. She turns to glare at Sarah.
“All because your popular doesn’t give you the right to put other people down. You got what you wanted so why continue with the hate? One day your perfect life will come crashing down on you.”
“Whatever losers come on girls, let’s go.” They left and so did everyone else. I waited to speak until no one can hear me.
“You shouldn’t have done that. Now your also going to be a target.”
“That’s okay I’m sure I can handle it.” From that moment everyone gave Cassandra the cold shoulder. The pain in her eyes as we walk together. This is all my fault.
She says it doesn’t bother her but I know it does. I tried to push her away but she’s persistent. Being near me caused her to be rejected. She’s such a sweet girl who doesn’t deserve the treatment that is given to her.
I did my best to get Jeremy to see reason. He refused to listen to what I had to say. One day I corned him. I want to know why he has chosen to be silent.
“Jeremy please help me. You’re the only person that knows the truth. If you speak up they’ll listen to you.”
“I’m sorry but I can’t help you.”
“Why not,” I yelled frustrated.
“Because Sarah threatened me. The day she told the cheerleaders the lie she came to me. If I tell anyone the truth the football team is going to come for me. Goodbye Elena.”
After my encounter with Jeremy, I became quiet and stayed out of people’s way. A shell of my former self walking around the halls. Maybe one day the truth will be told.
Sarah made me have a broken soul. A soul that can’t be fixed. Hopefully, in time it will heal.
