Girl, anonymous

I turned around and slipped the note from my hand, into the hand of the person behind me. The teacher was turned around, writing something important on the board that I wasn't really in the mood to copy. I wanted an invite to Becca's party Saturday night and it was hard for me to concentrate on anything else. 1

His name was Ben. I'd asked him out plenty of times, just to get the same negative response. I'd only been here in Albany for a little over a semester, and already I had made a name for myself. 2

I waited anxiously, as I watched him write his response out of the corner of my eye. I was again, catching him on the rebound, after his bad break-up with my ex-friend Kelsey. Her and I hadn't been on good terms in a while, and I knew if I made a move on him again, she would be out to get me. 3

"Jackie." He whispered. 4

I turned around and grabbed the note, a little too quickly. Our math teacher was standing there behind my turned back when I turned to face my desk. 5

"Hand it over Jacquelyn." 6

I groaned, handing over the note and taking out my notebook. Pretending to learn would be easier when I actually looked at the board.7

8

After class I stopped Ben out in the hallway. I hadn't gotten an answer yet, and I really couldn't wait any longer.9

"So can you get me in?" I shot him my puppy dog pout; bottom lip overlapping my top lip. 10

He took one look at me, and walked away, without saying a word. "How bout, no."11

12

That day at lunch, I carried my tray to the table by the door. It was Wednesday, the day Taylor was in my lunch. 13

"What's wrong Jackie?"14

Taylor dropped her bag onto the bench. Her hair was newly cut, short and spiky with long bangs that swept over one of her eyes and long spikes sticking right out of her head. I always envied her for her style. She had the guts to pierce her lip, pull off bright turquoise zebra skinny jeans, and dye her hair green. I always felt so plain next to her, but she loved me regardless.15

"Ben's being a jerk again. I'm tired of it."16

"Don't worry about it, he'll get over it."17

"I know but it's taking forever. I'm thinking about dying my hair purple."18

Taylor followed my eyes, looking right at the group of kids behind us. A bunch of girls were sporting long, straightened hair, all dyed an awkward color. 19

She looked at me.
"Why purple?"20

"It's my favorite color remember? Then we can be punk together."21

"Yup. Punk together." She mumbled. 22

(TBC...)23