Trust Issues #3
She sighed, “I’m Isla Kipner.” I smiled, “Well, I’ve been in lots of schools, and these are the best sketches I’ve seen.
I’ve been to school art fairs too. You are really talented.
” Isla whispered, “I made you late.” I shrugged, “I’m new, the teacher won’t even bat an eye. That’s a good drawing of Justin.”
Isla looked up asking, “You know him?” I nodded, “Yup. We are friends, I think. At least I said we could be.” Isla looked down asking, “Do you know who I am?” I laughed, “Isla Kipner. My memory isn’t that bad; you just introduced yourself to me.”
Isla cringed admitting, “I’m Lisa’s little sister.
” I titled my head, “You have my sympathies then. She gives off only child vibes. I guess you got all the nice in the family gene pool.” Isla laughed, “My older brother is nice too. He’s the oldest out of us all.
We’ve tried to connect with Lisa, but it doesn’t work out.
I used to think she hated me, then she dated the guy I like.
Which made me realize my sister loathes me. ”
My eyes widened as I gasped, “Your sister started dating Justin because you like him?” Isla nodded sadly. I pulled her in for a hug before I realized what I was doing. I said, “That’s awful, I’m so sorry.” Isla hugged me for a moment before she pulled back.
Isla warned, “Hugging me won’t be good for your popularity.
Lisa isn’t popular in her grade, but the girls in our grade and lower are her minions.
They make my life hell.” I frowned, “Well, not anymore, they don’t.
You stick with me, Isla. I have a feeling we will be great friends.
” Isla looked at me incredulously. I waved, “I’ll see you at lunch.
Ok?” She nodded vigorously and left. Poor girl.
I hustled to my next class. The teacher actually laughed and said the halls were hard to navigate and I’d get the hang of it. When I made it to English, I’d just sat down when the song started. I smiled knowing Keaton was coming.
My man strode into the class like he owned it then sat by me making something click in place inside me. A missing piece that was lost and was back. This was getting ridiculous, but I could at least enjoy it for now.
When we went to lunch, I remembered I hadn’t done well at sticking to my mom’s diet. Immy didn’t care though. My heart melted when Keaton called me Hathor. Did he like god and goddess mythology too? Hathor was Egyptian, not Norse. This man really was perfect. Perfect for me anyway.
STOP IT! You are sixteen. It’s rare for sixteen year old’s to find their forever. Just find some chill. GOD! Be cool for five seconds. Just five. Try very hard for FIVE seconds. The song in my head seemed like it was laughing at me. Great. I was not going to make my five second goal.
May asked me, “How are classes going today?” I shrugged, “Fine.” I saw Isla with Justin and smiled because they looked cute together. Much cuter than Lisa and Justin. Plus, Justin looked far more relaxed. I called over to them to join us.
Keith asked, “Uhh Katie, whatcha doing?” I explained, “They are my friends.” Keith’s jaw dropped. Justin and Isla sat down. Justin sighed, “I should go.” I frowned, “No, you should stay and sit with Isla. Don’t you two just look adorable together? How’s your day going?”
Justin looked nervous as he replied, “It’s actually been nice and drama free.
” I laughed, “If only Isla and I could say the same.” Keith asked, “What now?” I snorted, “Isla’s sister’s minions are throwing her things.
I got the impression it wasn’t new. Bullies roam the halls.
” Keith’s jaw locked with several others.
Isla waved, “It’s ok.” Keith replied, “It’s not and it’s not happening again.
” He said it with such confidence I believed him.
Keaton sat down. It was tense for a few moments, but everyone settled down.
Apparently, no one knew how talented Isla was at drawing.
Justin seemed quite proud and pretty envious I’d seen her sketches.
Afterwards, Keaton walked me to the gym. I went to the locker room, quickly changing into my gym clothes. I booked it to the gym relieved when I saw Isla. I smiled and walked over to her. I greeted, “Looks like we have gym together.”
Isla laughed asking me, “Are you by chance good at basketball? I’m fast, but I’m no star.” I admitted, “I’m not great, but I’m not bad.” One girl sneered, “You’re dating the captain of the basketball team.” And? Isla sighed, “Leave her alone.”
Another girl said, “It’s pathetic, really.
” I smiled and asked them, “So you guys are good at basketball? I’m going to be honest, I didn’t picture Lisa as a sporty girl.
” Isla chuckled, “Lisa’s the least coordinated person I know.
She also hates running. My sister definitely doesn’t play basketball. ”
I mockingly said, “Huh. I just got the impression these girls think Keaton should be with a basketball player. Are you guys on the girl’s team?” They flushed. One tried to save face by saying, “Shut up, new girl.”
I laughed, “Ohh burn. Calling me the new girl. Well, I never. Also, that was a no to my question. You’re not on the basketball team.” They growled but Isla growled back. I snorted, “This school and the growling, man.”
Isla coughed, “Yeah, it’s a thing in this area.” I smiled, “I’ll have to work on mine. Unlike some people, my bite is worse than my bark. I’d keep that in mind ladies.” Isla smiled at me. One girl actually looked scared.
We were playing doubles. Honestly, Isla and I did pretty good. I was pretty sure I’d dialed into who Isla was in the high school hierarchy. She was the talented younger sister of a bitch who was keeping her in the shadows.
Often, that was the older sister who was popular with a shy younger sibling.
I amended it because her sister was a serious bitch who clearly had her friends out to get her little sister.
I body checked one of the girls going for a cheap foul on Isla.
She growled at me, which had me hissing back at her. I quickly clapped a hand over my mouth.
The girl snorted, “Freak!” It hurt even though I didn’t want it to. I snorted, “Says the girl who is growling. If I’m a freak, I’m in good company growly mcgrowlerson.” She sneered at me. I said, “Watch it, or your face will get stuck like that.”
She gasped, “You can’t talk to me like that.
” I replied with a Melanie classic, “I just did, so I can. When you grow up, you’ll regret acting this way.
High school ends ladies. You may think you’re hot shit inside these walls, but there’s a whole world out there.
Out there you aren’t the queen bee’s evil minions, and the world has no problem informing you of that.
” They looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. I was right though so I didn’t care.
Isla went with me to the locker room. My new friend commented, “Wow, you’re not like regular new students.
” I said, “I don’t let people push me around anymore.
I met someone who taught me about my power.
Their words hurt, even if I don’t want them to sometimes, but they will never know that.
I won’t let them see me sweat, and I won’t let them get away with trying to make me feel bad.
You shouldn’t either because you have something they don’t. ”
Isla asked, “What?” I answered, “Class. Not to mention you’re pretty and talented.
They are pretty but they aren’t nice. They are skating by, and when they graduate some will be lucky if that continues.
Most get slapped in the face with reality.
The world is harsh place, and it doesn’t owe you anything.
It’s certainly not going to give anything. ”
Isla smiled, “You’ll be a good lun….” She cut herself off then said, “person.” I laughed, “I try to be a good person.” What was she going to say? I shook myself because I honestly had no idea what would go with that sentence. Isla must have just misspoke.
We walked in on one girl with Isla’s clothes. They were about to rip them. I asked, “Don’t you have something better to do?” She ripped the clothes. Isla cried, “Why would you do that?” They laughed. Isla sighed, “I’ll be wearing gym clothes the rest of the day.”
One sneered, “It’s smelly Isla all over again.
” I rolled my eyes saying, “That’s not even a creative jab.
You really have no substance, do you?” I turned, “Isla, I have an extra set of clothes in my locker. My mom’s boyfriend went all out on my new wardrobe.
You’ll look amazing.” The mean girls glared at me.
I shooed them, “Run along minions of Satan. Don’t think I won’t report this.” They growled, “You wouldn’t dare.” I laughed, “You don’t know me and trust me, I do dare.” I stared them down until they left. Isla told me, “You don’t have to stand up for me or share your clothes.”
I snorted, “Yes, I do have to stand up for you. Heck, you should stand up for yourself too.” Isla said, “We have our own system here.” I shrugged, “Screw that system. These girls are getting away with being bullies. I’m guessing that’s because they are protected by your sister.”
I wiped away a few traitors tears that fell down my face for Isla.
She was a shy, quiet girl, and that used to be me.
This clearly wasn’t a first time offense with those girls.
Isla had been quietly dealing with this for what sounded like years.
Why did the world always put down nice people?
Where was the karmic justice in that? As if high school didn’t suck enough.
Isla thought about it before answering me, “Yes and no. The stuff they do is minor, so it doesn’t seem like a big deal.” I frowned arguing, “Yes, it is. Bullies are bullies. They don’t stop unless you stand up to them or speak up. We are speaking up. Let’s go.”