Scarred and Loved

The Bullies

Samuel

      I arrived at school and my friends were already waiting for me next to their cars. Heather, my girlfriend jumped to my arms and kissed me passionately, getting hoots and cheers from the boys.

     I had no choice but to kiss her back, but I wasn’t feeling any sparks. We were just together because of our social status. After she let go, I walked to my friends to greet them. 

      “Hey bro, what’s up? You’re late, the bell is about to ring and we didn’t have time to hang out before we went to class” Jackson said putting his arm around my shoulder. 

      “Sorry, I got distracted earlier, but I’m here right? We can hang out at lunch” I said, leaning on his car with Heather right next to me. 

      “Oooohhh, look who’s here. The nerdy duo,” Devon, my other friend said. He was also a crazy dude, but cool nonetheless. Dark skinned and blue eyes were a rare sight in our small town, which gained him a lot of fans. 

      “Why don’t we say good morning to them?” He added, walking towards the duo, who turned out to be Scarlett and Vivian, her best friend. 

       I was looking at her and had to hold myself from going over and greet her. Before I was brought back from my thoughts, they were already harassing them. 

      “So nerd, where do you get your clothes?” Heather told Scarlett as she looked down at her simple clothes before pointing at Vivian, “and where did you get yours, Hot Topic?”

      Vivian was an Emo type of girl. Dressed in dark clothes and her hair dyed blue, but she was a beautiful girl with blue eyes and freckled cheeks. She also loved to wear dark makeup and had jewelry on her nose, all over her ears and her bottom lip. 

      They just decided to ignore her and walk away, but Devon and Jackson were blocking their way.

     “Please, let us through, we need to get to class” Scarlett pleaded, not daring to look at their faces.

      “Why? We’re having fun here, stop being such a nerd and hang out with us” Jackson wrapped his arm around her shoulder, making Scarlett uncomfortable. 

    "You should really move on, mister" Vivian said, poking his chest as hard as she could. That only made Jackson laugh even more. 

     “Come on, guys. We need to get to class, the bell is about to ring.” I said as I walked over to make them stop what they were doing. 

      They sighed and as we were about to walk, Heather decided to keep it going. 

      “Why? It is so much fun to talk down these nerds”. 

      Heather was close to grabbing her hair, but Scarlett smacked her hand away. She was not going to let her get away with bullying her today. I was staring, which was a bad idea and froze in place when all of a sudden Heather took out a small blade and cut Scarlett’s face.

      Everyone gasped at what happened but no one moved to help her, not even me. I didn't know what to do at the moment. Scarlett was holding her bloodied face while looking at me, hoping I would defend her and maybe help her. 

    But I didn’t. 

    The guys just pulled Heather away while Vivian took Scarlett to her car and drove off. I stood there, looking like an i***t while my friend was taken away, injured. 

      When they were gone, I dragged Heather by the arm and pulled her towards my car, pushing her gently against it. 

     “How dare you do that? What is wrong with you, Heather? This will get you in big trouble.” 

      “Well, now she won’t be as beautiful as everyone makes her think,” she replied before pushing me and walking away. 

      I was feeling all kinds of emotions. Sadness, anger, and guilt could be some of them. With the decision to skip school today, I got in my car and drove to the hospital where she might have been taken. 

******

Scarlett

    We arrived at the hospital. Vivian and I were waiting for the doctor to check my wound. He walked in and prepared everything needed to clean and stitch it. 

     It had taken about six of them to seal my wound, it was pretty wide, and now we were just waiting to be discharged. 

      “I can’t believe she would dare cut your face like that. That jealous b***h can’t stand to see you’re beautiful and smart,” Vivian’s anger was noticeable.

      I didn’t say anything. Putting my head down, I tried to hold back my tears. I couldn’t pay attention to what Vivian was saying. 

      There was no choice but to block all the noise and take a deep breath, while I kept my eyes closed. All of a sudden the curtains opened. I looked up and my eyes were open wide in shock to see Samuel standing there. What was he doing here?

      “What are you doing here? You better get out before-“ Vivian snapped at him, but I cut her off. 

      “It’s okay, Vivian. I can take it from here. Would you give us a minute?”

      She hesitated for a moment as she looked between Samuel and I. She walked out but not before groaning and warning him to not make me cry. We stayed silent for a moment.

    “How are you feeling?” he asked. 

     I let out a bitter laugh and looked at him with tears in my eyes. How does he think I would feel after being bullied and attacked, all in one day?

      “Why do you care? You just stood there and didn’t even try to help me, but decided to walk away with them. What happened to that boy who used to be my friend? The one who would stand up for me back when we were kids. Who promised me we would be friends forever” I couldn’t hold it in anymore, I had to tell him how I felt. 

    “I thought we would be there for each other always.”

      Tears fell down my cheeks. He moved closer to wipe them, but I smacked his hand away.

     “I’m sorry for everything. Scarlett. I swear I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. And I am sorry that I haven’t been there for you, and that I haven’t been your friend lately.” he said with regret. 

      I looked at him for a minute, and then told him to leave. It hurt me to see him here. He was sad and disappointed, but I didn't care at the moment.

     Vivian came in a few seconds later. She was worried about her best friend, unlike him. I sobbed on her shoulder while she took me in a comforting embrace. 

    "Why Vivian? Why would this happen to me? I never bother or hurt anyone. Why would they feel the need to hurt me?”

    "I am so sorry, beautiful. If there was a way to stop what happened on time, I could have,” she said, trying to reassure me.

    "You are always there for me when I need you. I am grateful for the most amazing human being in my life. Please don't leave me" I said, holding her hand. 

    “I will always be here for you" she replied, kissing my forehead and hugging me. I felt a little better after that because I knew I could always count on her.