Vanilla

Chapter 2

I ran my fastest to building 'D', and once I got there I saw both of them at each other's throats. They were hitting each other until they were bleeding from both their nose and body. I saw scratches on both of them, and strands of Lexie's hair were on the ground. It took two minutes for the school police to arrive, and handcuff them-they took them to the principal's office and I followed close behind. Why were they fighting so aggressively before? Weren’t they both fine earlier this morning?

I stood outside the principal's office to eavesdrop. I couldn't just turn around, and go back to class like that-they're my best friends. Why were they fighting? I need to know.

"Who is going to speak first about this matter?" I heard the principal ask them.

There was silence from both of them.

"If one of you doesn't speak up now, then I will call both of your parents." The principal says.

I could hear Melanin sobbing, she wasn't the only one. Lexie too. They were crying as if something terrible happened.

"What are you two crying about? I have never seen children your age crying over a phone call home." The principal says.

Melanin's voice cracked as she spoke up first. "I swung first. I swung at her first."

"Why? What was the reason?" The principal asks.

"I did something terrible, but she also did something terrible to me." Melanin continues. "I was secretly in a relationship with her boyfriend, and I...I ended up being pregnant by him."

"Lexie, what did you do to Melanin that made her want to fight you?"

There was silence for a few seconds before Lexie was choking on her words. "I...I'm having a physical relationship with her rapist."

My heart drops. What did she mean by that?

"r****t? What do you mean?" He asks.

"I met him at my work a few weeks back, and I gave him my virginity since I like him so much. One night, he got drunk and started bragging about how much of a s**t Melanin is and how he loved when she was in pain. Even though I heard that I still stayed with him-I fell in love with him. I can't let him go." Lexie was sobbing harder. "I didn't tell my boyfriend, because I didn't want to lose him either. I love him too."

I could hear the principal sigh from frustration. "Both of you did something terrible to the other, but Lexie...you didn't seem to care about your partner as you continued that affair. What was the point of fighting Melanin? Because she touched what was supposed to be yours?" he sounded like he grabbed a piece of paper. "This problem is a petty reason to fight. I can see why Melanin was angry. You knew she was violated by that person, but you still continued your actions. She is now pregnant with your partner's child. I suggest that when you get home during your suspension it is to break up with him, and that little affair with that awful man." The room grew quiet for almost ten seconds before he asked. "How old is he, Lexie?"

She didn't answer.

"Lexie...how old is he?"

She still didn't answer.

"If you're not answering, that means he's too old for you. I'm adding this to the problem to speak to your parents about. Not only is he a r****t, Lexie." I could tell he was getting angry. "He's a pedophile. You better go to the police about this, Lexie. This is a serious matter. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," she responds coldly.

She was upset. I could hear it in her voice.

"I'm sending you to the front office to wait for both of your parents." He says.

I knew I can't stand here or they'll know I heard. I ran from the office to my building. I walked back to class to end up being scolded by my teacher for running out of class. I apologized and sat back down in my seat.

"Damn Dani, I didn't know I pissed you off to the point you had to run out like that," Shawn says as he grins.

I didn't answer him. I just continued doing my work. I can't believe it. They both did something bad behind each other's back, but if I was on someone's side. I'm on Melanin's. Not because she was my friend longer than Lexie. No. It's because Lexie did something so serious, and double-crossed Melanin as if she wasn't anything to her.

Class ended, and it was one o'clock. The time that my friends and I were supposed to head out to eat, but it ended up like this-my walk to the cafeteria was long. I had to walk to the building that was next to building "C". It felt like a long walk as my head was clouded with thoughts. I gave up walking anymore and sat at a bench in front of the nurses' building. I cried and cried for a long time. I never felt this frustrated in years. I thought my friends were better than this. I thought wrong. As much as I agree with Melanin, I need to stay away from both of them.

I never ate lunch, and I never went to class the rest of the day. I laid in the nurse's building for hours. I didn't move or talk. I just laid there with dry tears on my face. I never felt this before. They both treated each other horribly. They treat me so well, but they can't seem to respect each other. Their friendship is so toxic that I can't even be around them. Even my grandma said they were great for me. She was wrong.

I heard heels come towards me. I didn't move to see who it was. They sat behind me and sighed. "In pain?"

I didn't answer.

"I have painkillers if your cycle is on."

"I'm not in pain," I said.

"I see...it's about them. If you need to vent then I'm here."

"I don't even know you."

"Correct, but you look like you need to talk."

"I don't."

"You're that quiet girl in my homeroom class. I never seem to notice your smile, I want to try to be the one to make you smile."

"I don't need to smile."

"All friendships are not perfect, Dani. Some crumble beneath our feet, and some are like thin ice. I don't have friends like you who care about me, I have admirers. I don't enjoy talking with everyone, but it keeps me busy when I'm bored."

"Great."

"Give them time. They'll work it out."

"You don't know what they were fighting about."

"I don't need to. I always see them smiling at one another in the hallways. I know they'll forgive each other."

"Until then, I'm friendless."

"You don't want to be friendless like me."

"Why not? You don't have to worry about pain."

"No, but sometimes I want someone I can talk to."

"I'm fine being quiet."

The girl sighs. "I understand." She turns my face to look at her. "Don't give up over their mistakes."

She was wearing a senior necktie. I looked at her face and realized who she was. The student body president. Jada White.

"Jada, I will try working through it if it means you'll stop lecturing me."

She smiles, "Great." She stands up. "I'll go brew tea to celebrate." she walks away and says "Don't cry anymore. Smile." then I heard the door close.

"Smile?" I turned back around and tears started to fall again. "Smile for what? I didn't ask for this."

The nurse came in a few minutes later to tell me it's time to go home. I left the building with a note from her, and I got on the bus filled with students. I was too exhausted from crying all day to care about them.

Once I arrived home, I walked straight into my room, threw my bag to the floor, stripped out of my school uniform, and got into my bed to sleep. I didn't feel like eating anything, even though my stomach was hurting from hunger. I just closed my eyes and went to sleep.

I'm sorry I'm crying again, mom. I'm sorry.

Morning came before I knew it, and I got ready as usual-I hopped on my school bus and made it to school. I gave my grandma my award just so she can leave me alone tonight. I never show her my awards, because it'll just make her expect more from me. I just did it this time to cry tonight. I can't study with this in my head.

It felt weird not having my friends here at school with me. I went through my first two classes without remembering being in them. It was time for homeroom, and I was more ready to sleep. I usually squeeze in some study time here, but today I want to sleep off this emotion. As I walk in, a strong scent of vanilla hits my nose. I turn my head to the source of the scent to see...Lauren. She was reading a book by herself at her desk. I never noticed her in this class before. Oh well, I don't care. I need sleep.

I went to my desk, put my bag on my chair, and laid my head down to sleep. I was out cold for like five minutes before the scent of vanilla was more strong than ever. I tried to ignore it, but it was distracting me from sleeping. I opened one eye slightly to see Lauren sitting on the desk next to mine. Staring at me. She was staring with her head in her hands. I guess she didn't notice I woke up. I didn't mind her staring, but her perfume was killing me.

I stayed awake like that for about ten minutes, until one of her friends called her name, making her go to them. The scent faded away, and I could finally go to sleep peacefully.

When I woke up I saw Lauren talking to one of the freshmen boys in the class doorway. I watched as she smiled at him like a bubbly person. I wished I could be happy like her. Maybe once. But also, why does everyone even like her anyways? I always see her with a group of people talking like they're her friends. But when she's alone, she has a different aura-it's always weird. Not my issue, though. I sat up and stretched. I looked at the classroom clock. We had ten minutes left here. I slept long. I guess being depressed makes you tired.

I took out my phone, which my 'father' bought for me on my birthday, and said to keep this gift and not throw it away or sell it. It's good quality and has fast internet. I decided to order some more casual clothes here since I never buy anything for myself. My birthday is coming in a few months, and I need to try to cheer myself up before then. Shopping is the best treatment for any pain. To me at least.

I bought at least seven outfits, and three pairs of shoes. I'm going to be scolded by my grandma when I get home. I can feel it.

The bell rings for next period, and I checked my schedule online-I had study hall. I was happy that I got to sleep more, but my stomach thought otherwise. I guess I'll go to the cafeteria to eat.

As I walked out of the classroom, I could hear a faint groan coming from one of the classrooms in the hallway. As much as I hated butting my nose in people's business-I decided why the hell not.

What could go wrong?