“Don’t act like I don’t know that,” I tell her. “It’s just… she tried. She told him to back off and she didn’t take it any further. She gave in and,” my eyes flick to Jesse, “we still ruined her.”
“So?” Jesse grunts.
“So, she has nothing. She walks around school in a deep depression. She gets bullied by nearly everyone. People treat her as though she’s invisible. I mean, she’s suffered enough. She’s lost everything. Is it that much to ask that we show her a little compassion?”
“Yes,” Brylee scoffs.
“Well, too bad,” I tell them. “I wasn’t asking permission. I was asking advice.”
“Your funeral,” Brooke grunts before turning away with a stubborn huff. She stalks off and grabs Max, forcing him along with her.
I roll my eyes at her back as I lean into Nate’s chest. “She’s right,” Jesse says, stealing my attention. “I think you’d be stupid to get involved with her.”
My blood begins to boil and I find my frustrations coming up and surprising the shit out of me as it pours out like word vomit. “I’m not saying we have to be best friends,” I snap at Jesse. “I just think it shouldn’t be so fucking hard for us to be decent human beings and show her a little kindness. After all, it was our actions that took every thing away from her. We humiliated her in front of the whole school and she hasn’t been able to move on from that.”
Courtney grunts. “So, what? You want to resurrect the queen of darkness?”
“No,” I yell at them. “I want to be nice. Besides, what does it matter to any of you? I’m the one who got hurt. I’m the one who had to deal with that shit. Not you guys. This is my call.”
Anger pulses through me at my heartless friends. I mean, I’m the one who just lost her Nanna, I’m the one who was assaulted, I’m the one who had a parent walk out, yet I’m the only one who can manage a little kindness?
I turn in Nate’s arms and lean my head against his strong chest as I take a few breaths, fearing that I’ll try and yell at them a little more. “Come on,” Nate murmurs as he takes my arm. He leads me away from our group of mean douchebags to give me a chance to cool down before I cause a massacre.
“Are you ok?” he questions as he leads me around the maze of people.
I let out a sigh as I dig my feet in and look up at him. “Am I being stupid?”
He considers me for a moment before stepping into me and pulling me into his warm chest. “No, I don’t think so,” he tells me. “I think you’re showing what a strong person you are. You’re forgiving and kind and there’s nothing wrong with that. Showing compassion to someone who has wronged you only shows what an incredible person you are and makes me love you more.”
“You’re sure?” I question.
“Positive,” he says. “Just because your friends are bitches, doesn’t mean you have to be.”
“And what about Jesse?”
A smile pulls at his lips. “He’ll get over it. Jesse is a grudge holder and a damn good one. He’ll get over it in his own time. When she can prove that she’s no longer a threat and makes it up to you.”
“Well, I doubt that will ever happen.”
“True,” he shrugs. “But being unable to see past his own anger is his flaw and it shouldn’t stop you from doing what you think is right.”
I nod my head as a race starts down on the track and I can’t help but look across at the dirt the cars kick up behind them. Nate watches right along with me and cringes when the guy in the lead begins to lose control of his car. “Moron,” Nate grumbles as he shakes his head.
I grin to myself and thread my fingers through his before tugging on his arm, letting him know I’m good to re-join our asshole friends. He walks with me but stops as someone calls out his name. “Nate,” the voice shouts over the noise. “Wait up.”
We turn around and I find some scrawny dude with a clipboard and wait for Nate to tell the kid to fuck off like he usually would, only he doesn’t. He raises his head and walks forward, dragging me along to meet the guy in the middle. “What’s up?” he asks the scrawny guy.
The kid looks a little sick at talking to Nate but apparently has a set of balls as he brings his clipboard up and starts talking. “The guy you were against tonight bailed,” he tells Nate.
“Fuck,” he grunts. “What do you mean bailed?”
The kid seems to shake in his boots but doesn’t shrink away, unknowingly earning my respect. “I don’t know. He’s not here and you’re up next so he’s automatically disqualified.”