No Pads… No Helmets… Just Memories!

I stirred in bed at the barking from my alarm as my eyes shot open just lying in bed for a moment, awake, but not moving. I only had to make it through today then I was home free, for the weekend at least. I shuffled into the bathroom after rolling out of bed and instantly regretted not wearing my slippers as the cold tiles sucked the heat from my small feet, causing me to remember why I wore the silly looking things in the first place. I let the water run and my eyes wandered to the mirror as I made out some bruising on my temple from where my head hit the locker, I thought it was further back at the time, and if my skin had any pigmentation what so ever I’m sure it would have gone unnoticed but I had no such luck, and no makeup heavy enough to cover even the lightest bruising. I worked hard to keep my skin clear and part of that was not pounding on makeup like I did a few years back resulting in me owning numerous tubes of mascara, pencil eyeliner and face powder. I lightly ran my fingers over the bruising and to my relief it wasn't one that hurt at every slight touch, making trying cover it up as best I could slightly more possible. After getting out of the shower I threw my hair up into a high ponytail allowing some fringe to fall over my temples and in front of my ears to help cover the bruising.

Not even wanting to bother with shifting through cloths I ran my hands over my hoodies hanging neatly from the rack in my closet and pulled out my old navy colored North Mason soccer hoodie from when I lived in Washington and slipped it on along with a pair of slightly ripped light washed jeans. I stumbled down the stairs trying to multitask and shove my feet into my all white vans letting the laces hang loosely as I made my way into the kitchen. I was surprised to see Rian and my dad both awake and Rian looking almost ready till I threw a look to the clock realizing I let myself sleep in an extra forty five minutes.

I was in no mood to argue with Rian and I didn’t put up much of a fight in letting him give me a ride, but I wasn’t so hot on the whole idea of showing up late to school because I wanted to be stubborn with my brother and walk in the rain. I already knew Marc was getting a ride from his mom so I really had no option but to go. I was relieved that the usual group wasn't clustered around my locker this morning and I was able to get swiftly in and out. The first few periods managed to feel like ages and I swiftly made my way to the long corridor I knew held the music and art rooms. I made no hesitation in filing through the door lightly pulling my head phones from my ears to take a seat. I lifted my head to see the perky, red head? Brunette? Auburn haired? hell fuck it, it was Andrea, the sweetheart from my math class bounding towards me with a smile glazed across her lips.

“Hey Jasey!” she piped, “I didn't know you took art, well I guess I should have known by all your like amazing drawings you do in math!” she laughed plopping down in the seat beside me and I couldn't help but smile and shrug my shoulders, she was a sweetheart I had no reason to shut her out.

“Yeah I could say the same for you, but I’ve never seen your drawings, I don't know how you manage to actually pay attention in that class!” I giggled.

“I kind of have to, I had her last year for algebra 2 and she knows how I am now, plus I’m not like you who can just look at the board and get A’s just on class notes!” she explained nudging my shoulder, “But yeah I was in another period but they moved my schedule around; But now I have two classes with you!” she cheered. I just shot her a smile, two classes with this girl may not be all that bad, she never gave me shit in Math, never bugged me if I looked like I didn't want to be bugged, sure it’s only the first week of school but she seemed harmless and I liked her.

The teacher came bounding through the door with a huge grin on his face and paint all over the beige smock he wore. he stood in the front of the class and started to instruct us on how we were going to work on figure drawings and had one of the girls sit in front of the class feeling notably uncomfortable and model for the rest of us. We all drew vigorously and before I could even get to a point of partial satisfaction with the sketch the bell sounded signaling lunch period. I kept my head down stuffing my sketch book into my bag not even noticing Andrea bounce up beside me as I made my way toward the door.

“Hey what lunch do you have?” she asked as I lifted my eyes to the ceiling in thought,

“Um third!” I told her.

“Really! So do I you should find me at lunch but I gotta go to class back down that way!” she cheered turning towards me pointing in the direction we had just came.

“Will do!” I bid her farewell as she pounced on me wrapping her arms around my small frame before skipping down the hall and I laughed shaking my head before heading in the direction of Mr. Wagner’s room. The rest of the day dragged on surprisingly swiftly but no less painful than the rest, though I hesitantly kept my word and joined Andrea for lunch as she surprisingly sat with Matt, and Cass.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch period, nothing competed with the wave of relief that washed over me as the final bell rang telling me I was free from this god forsaken hell hole and I could go home, to me nothing matched the feeling of knowing I wouldn’t have to wake up at 5AM and put on a happy face for these people tomorrow. It seems kind of sad that leaving school on a Friday to sit in bed and doodle all day is the best part of my week but like I said, I love my friends, but my me time was my favorite time. I lightly pushed my way through the sea of people in the direction of the junior connector till I felt a slight push on my arm and knowing it was Cass I greeted her.

“Hey are you still having people over tomorrow?” she asked.

Oh shit I had totally forgotten, and I so didn’t want any human interaction, but I had assumed Rian must have had everything in order as usual, there was no way out, “Oh um yeah totally!” I stuttered reaching my locker.

“Rad!” she cheered, “Hey did you think about inviting anyone outside our like group!”

“Uhm, I might have mentioned it to this girl in my math class” I said trying to recall if she was even free when I mentioned it to her yesterday.

“Well did you think about inviting Colton and Riley?” she whispered through giggles.

“Uhm no I don’t recall I have, why would I?” I asked eyeing the giggly girl closing my locker as i threw my sweatshirt over my shoulder leaving me in a plain whit tee shirt.

“Well think fast because there coming this way!” she said taking hold of my shoulders and spinning me around “bye!” she cheered.

I turned around to see her prancing off in the other direction to Jack and Matt at the end of the hallway, “Cass where are you going?” I asked as she looked back waving and taking off down the hallway. I let out a sigh and turned to pick up my bag as two large shadows casted over me, great. I stood up to see two boys in matching letterman jackets, the one tall tan brown haired boy, Colton, and the other a tall blond, I hadn’t recognized him at first, but before I could they started to talk to me.

“Hey, you’re Jasey right?” Colton said.

“Uh yeah” I mutter sliding my bag’s straps onto my shoulders trying to leave the impression that i had places to be.

“You and Cass friends?” the blond boy asked and at his words I knew who he was, his eyes locked on mine when I failed to answer, my hand subconsciously going to my temple.

“Oh yeah sorry about that babe but I can make it up to you.” He muttered smirking.

I swallowed the lump that had been growing in my throat before answering, “I have to be going, thanks for the offer but I’d rather pass.” I turned to walk away when he lightly stopped my by the elbow.

“No really Casey babe, I'm actually sorry I just know Tammy doesnt like you, I didn’t think she would do anything like that, and i'm not the brightest when it comes to her, let me make it up to you, bunch of people are coming over my house on Halloween, rents are out of town, supposed to be good. You can come with me, be my honorary guest of the night” he said stepping uncomfortably close to me.

“Oh well i'll think about it” I said stepping back against the lockers.

“Casey babe, why don’t you just come home with us now and we can show you a good time with some buddies tonight” he said and I felt a second hand tug on my arm pulling me away from the boys.

“Her names Jasey, with a ‘J’ and she can’t.” a voice said and I turned looking up at the voice, his red brown locks blocking his eyes from my view.

“Oh really now and whys that Gaskarth?” Colton spit.

“She’s going home with me” Alex snapped.

“She is?” Riley asked, “I am?” I repeated.

“Yes she is.” he said grabbing my arm by my wrist and lightly pulling me with him as he walked away.

“Alex what are you doing?” I hissed at him.

“You’re not going anywhere with that low life.” he said stopping and turning to me when we crossed into the gymnasium doors.

“And why not?” I remarked, “I'm sixteen almost seventeen years old, you’re not my dad I can do what I want, and I can handle my own problems.”

“Jasey, if you have to listen to me for just ONCE in your life let it be now.” he begged. “He’s bad news.”

“Like you’re a walk in the park!” I snapped pulling my hand from his grasp.

“Jasey please, I'm begging you, he’s no good, and you have to trust me, let’s go I'm taking you home.” He said lightly taking ahold of my wrist again and pulling my across the gym to student parking and I settled without a fight this time, allowing him to guide me to his car where he drove me home.

Notes