Chapter 3
On the school bus, I squish the side of my face into the window as hard as I can— anything to distract myself from Bennett’s harsh words.
Every day is different with him. Some days, I am nothing more than a ghost in his presence.
Other days I know as soon as he spots me, venom will shoot from his sinful lips.
“Oh, here comes the trailer dump princess!” Bennett spews out.
This kid has had it out for me since we were in third grade. It gradually got worse once Danielle left me for middle school. Now, I’m just stuck dealing with this alone. I try so hard to be cordial and kind, but the nicer I am, the meaner his words spill.
It doesn’t help that I live in a trailer park and ride the same bus as him. You see, Bennett grew up with happily married parents. And no exaggeration, they live in a mansion on their own private road. So through his eyes, I’m just as useless as a pile of dog crap on his well-manicured lawn.
Early on, I discovered that you’re judged in school by where you live and the brands you wear. I remember when I wore my brand-new Payless sneakers to gym class years ago. I was happy for once and excited to wear them. Bennett destroyed any joy from my mind.
We were sitting on the bleachers, waiting for our gym teacher. I watched Bennett as he scanned the class, almost like he was looking for me. When our eyes met, he immediately brought his beady eyes to my shoes.
He lifted his finger, dramatically pointing at me. Then his wide mouth flew open. “Haha! Look, Olive got a new pair of shoes from Salvation Army.” It’s a memory I’ll never be able to shake.
It didn’t help the situation when his little conniving group of friends joined in with his laughter.
So much anger and embarrassment built inside me, and all I could do was sit and let their pestering simmer out.
I never wore those shoes again after that day because God forbid I wore a pair of shoes that didn’t have a printed logo on the side of them. How dare I be so careless.
If I wasn’t called out for my clothes or where I lived, he spat in my face about how skinny and poor I looked. This is just what I need, another reason to hate myself.
If he knew how disturbing my life was back at home, would he continue to be so cruel?
Honestly, it would probably fuel his fire.
I’ll never forget the time my mom let the power shut off, and I had to wear the same clothes two days in a row.
You would have thought I was unaware of the very clothes on my back.
He reminded me at least ten times. You are worthless, so useless that no one pities you.
Good, that’s the last thing I want, pity.
There have been many times when I’d get home exhausted from playing the tough role against his bullying, that I’d walk in the door, head straight for my room, and plop on my bed screaming into my pillow as loud as I could.
This couldn’t be normal. I’m only a child, so how can I bear so much stress and worry at this early age?
Bennett Weaver was a mean, snarky kid who got everything generously handed to him in life. And then there was me, the weird, defeated kid with an absent mother and father.
I was damaged, but I had a good heart. Our situation was a prime example of what’s wrong and right. I know I can stick up for myself, but what was the point? I did it for my best friend several times; no one would mess with her, and I wouldn’t allow it.
Maybe It’s because I don’t love myself enough to think I deserve the same treatment. All I’ve ever received is heartbreak. And if I was given this difficult life, then I was to endure all its suffering. Olive Sage Landers is a burden to society.