Turning Tables
Summary: Xerxes was betrayed by her best friend and left for dead, when someone gives her a second chance at life will she be able to embrace the life she always wanted.
Disclaimer: We all know that I am not lucky enough to own Jeff Hardy or anyone else..just Xerxes and the OC(s).
A/N Xerxes' name is pronounced (Zerk-sees) for anyone who cares and, for anyone who didn't know, I am a major magic lover. I have a weird obsession for vampires, witches, and warlocks and after reading some of the Hardy mystic stories up here I decided I was comfortable enough to do one of my own. There is a major magical plot to the Hardy family though and it might be difficult to keep up with, but I'll try my hardest to help you guys out. Also, the death scene in this chapter was inspired by something I saw on a documentary that I just felt was so sad and in order to avoid making it exactly alike I had altered some details.
Chapter 1: Betrayal
…...
Today was just like any other day for me. I woke up, I got ready, I ate breakfast, I went to school...unfortunately. I hated this place almost as much as it hated me. The people here were so judge mental and everybody was the same. Except for me. I was different and that's why I was bullied. 'Kids are jealous of your beauty.', my mother would say. Bullshit. If anything I was jealous of them. Do you know how agitating it is to hate someone but be jealous of them at the same time? It's outrageously agitating. The so-called beauty she was referring to would be my long jet black hair, my caramel skin, and my silver eyes. If you ask me, I was pretty average except for the eyes.
Thankfully for me though, one more week and I'd be out of here for good. I was a senior at Bridgetown High and in one week school would be out and I would graduating the next morning. Then my life was really going to begin. I'd dreamed of this day for so long. I'd move somewhere far away and get a nice little job. I'd meet the man of my dreams and we'd get married and have little babies. Life would be perfect.
"Xerxes!" Someone called. I looked over my shoulder as I was walking down the hall. It was Tania, my best friend.
"Hi Tania." I smiled. "What's up?" Tania was another one of those beautiful people. She had curly strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes. She was at least an inch taller than me and she was brave.
"I was just gonna ask you if you wanna skip with me today?" She winked. That was another thing about Tania. She was a bad ass. Half the things I did, were because of her.
"I don't know Nia." I said slowly.
"Oh c'mon. I need you today! There's this really cute guy I met Saturday at the mall. I want to hang out with him, but before I do, I of course need my best friends approval." She grinned. I met Tania when I was five. She'd just moved to San Francisco and we were both lonely. It was a chance meeting.
"Alright alright. This guy better be worth it Nia!" I told her. She squealed with excitement and pulled my hand eagerly.
"Don't worry. He will be."
…...
Will be he wasn't. His name was Marcus. He was twenty-five. He lived in his own apartment, drove a decent car, and was cute, but other than that he had nothing going for him. No job, no money of his own, and no life. I didn't really feel comfortable here, but I pushed my worries aside for Tania. She was sitting on the couch cuddling close to Marcus. She looked happy.
"Well Xerxes, what do you think?" Nia asked me.
"Huh?" I asked.
"Marcus. Isn't he hot?" She giggled. He smirked between the two of us waiting for my answer.
"Oh! Um, yea. He's alright." I said. Obviously that wasn't the answer Tania wanted. She rolled her eyes at me and kissed Marcus' cheek before excusing herself to the bathroom.
"So just alright huh?" He said. I stared awkwardly for a moment.
"I uh- I'm sorry. I just didn't wanna come off the wrong way. Nia really likes you, it'd suck if her best friend liked you too." I said.
"Would it really?" He chuckled at me. "You know the old saying, 'the more the merrier'." I had no response to that. I crossed my legs a little tighter. Note to self, never again will I wear a short dress to Marcus' house. Then again, I don't think I'll ever be coming back here.
"So, tell me about yourself kid." He said.
"Well, you probably already know that I'm a senior at Bridgetown. I got accepted to Stanford last month." I told him.
"Smart girl I guess. Anything else?" He asked.
"No." I said hesitantly. "Not really." Luckily for me, Tania wandered back into the room. I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
"I'm back!" She smiled. "What did you two talk about?" She asked plopping back down next to him. I watched as she draped her leg over his lap and grin at him seductively.
"We weren't really talking about much, but I seriously think I should go." I said standing abruptly. I grabbed my purse from off the couch and started for the door.
"Xerxes? Xerx!" Tania called after me. I ignored her and made my way out to my car. Skipping today wasn't the best idea. Tania would be mad at me, but oh well. I felt so much safer out here.
…...
I walked into the kitchen later on that day dressed in my work uniform. I worked at TjMaxx. It was like a dream job. A great employee discount on some really cute and affordable clothes. Anyways, my mom was sitting at the kitchen table sipping on a cup of what I assumed was coffee. She stared at me with a blank expression and I tried not to make eye contact with her. I was positive I already knew what this was about.
"Going to work?" She asked.
"Yes." I nodded.
"Thought you had the day off?" She asked confused.
"I did too, but my boss called in. Monica's sick so I'm pulling the night shift now." I told her.
"Are you sure you won't be too tired? You do know you have school tomorrow morning right?"She asked. "Or do you not attend that place anymore?"
"I'm sorry mom." I sighed.
"Xerxes Eizelle Wellington." She started. "When are you going to open your eyes and realize that your little friends aren't going to do anything but get you in trouble. Sweetie you just got accepted into Stanford University. You keep skipping school like this and you won't even make it there." My mother said.
"I know ma. I'm sorry. I just- Nia's my best friend and I won't be able to see her anymore after school get's out. She'll be moving to Wyoming and I'll be going to California for college." I told her.
"That's no excuse Eizelle. I've told you time and time again that that girl is going to ruin you." She said going to the sink to rinse out her cup.
"Ma I hear you, but I have to go or else I'm going to lose my job too. I love you mama." I said kissing her cheek. I grabbed my stuff and walked out the front door to my car. Once inside I sighed and dropped my head against the steering wheel. I knew my mother meant well, but she didn't know Nia like I did. Sure Nia was a little out there and she could be a real delinquent at times, but she was a good girl and my best friend. Nothing would ever change that.
…...
Work was different today. I felt strange and like I was being watched or followed. Every time I looked over my shoulder nobody was there. Although, I did see some girls from my school. The popular girls. Leslie Carter, Amelia James, and Chelsea Bethe. They usually came here to gawk about how they could go to more expensive places that people who came here 'couldn't afford'. So shallow.
"Hey." Someone said. I jumped startled and turned to see Marcus. Shocker.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"Funny, you didn't tell me you worked here beautiful." He said. I looked sideways for a moment and blinked a few times before looking back at him.
"Um, I didn't think it was necessary." I said. He stared at me with a hard glare in silence. I was starting to feel uncomfortable again so I tried to make my move out of there, but he put his arm out in front of me.
"I think we should talk Xerxes." He said quietly.
"I don't think that's such a good idea." I said quickly.
"It won't take that long." He said.
"I have to work. Shouldn't you be with Tania?" I asked trying not to look at him.
"Right now I'm with you." He said.
"Xerxes?" My head snapped towards the direction of the sound. My boss. Thank God for that man.
"Coming Mr. Jones." I said quickly. I moved away from Marcus as he grabbed my arm and squeezed.
"I'm not done with you." He whispered in my ear before letting me go. I let that comment slide off my shoulders and I made my way over to my boss. He placed his arm around me gently and walked away from Marcus with me.
"Xerxes are you okay? What was that all about? Who is that man?" He asked me.
"I'm fine really, it was nothing." I lied.
"Do you know him?" He asked.
"Sorta. He's my best friends boyfriend." I told him. He nodded slowly at me taking it all in.
"Right well, why don't you go on home for the night? I'll take over here for you." He suggested.
"Are you sure? I don't mind staying really." I said shaking my head.
"No no no. It's fine, really Xerxes. Go home. Go to sleep." He smiled. I agreed reluctantly and left slowly out to the parking lot. It didn't take me long to get home granted that I sped most of the way. My mom was surprised to see me home so early. I told her that I wasn't feeling well and I went up to my room to shower and sleep. One day down. About a million more to go.
…...
The next day at school I was waiting in the parking lot for Tania. I'd decided that I would tell her about Marcus and what happened. I just really hoped she'd listen to me. I saw her car pull up and she got out of the vehicle after a moment.
"Nia!" I called hurrying over to her. She looked at me with what seemed like a vicious glare and it puzzled me for a moment. Was she still mad that I left her alone? We met halfway and I smiled lightly at her.
"Hey girly. What's wrong you look upset?" I asked her.
"Really? Should I be?" She asked.
"What? What are you talking about?" I asked her.
"You little slut. I can't believe you. You were supposed to be my best friend Xerx! How could you do this to me!?" She exclaimed.
"Nia, I don't know what you're talking about! I didn't do anything. If you're mad because I left you then I'm sorry. Look, I have to tell you something about Marcus." I told her.
"Oh save your breath. He already told me how you came onto him yesterday." She said. I was taken aback.
"He...he told you that?" I breathed.
"Yea he did. You're a real piece of work ya know that? " She said shaking her head at me.
"No Nia-"
"Save it! If you have anything to say to me, then it better be sorry!" She said making her way back to her car. I watched as she walked away from me. I couldn't run after her now. What the hell was I going to say? I was so confused. Besides, the bell for school to start was ringing now and so were my mothers words in my head. I'd have to chase after friends later.
…...
School was finally over and I was racing out to find Nia. I was sure she was with him. I didn't really want to go there, but I needed to make amends with her. I pulled into the driveway and got out of my car. My phone started ringing in my purse. It was my mom.
"Hello?" I answered.
'Hey hun! I just thought that since you had the day off today that maybe we could spend some quality time together. It's been so long since we've had a mother daughter day ya know?' Her voice chimed over the phone. I was barely hearing what she was saying. My eyes were focused on the house that seemed to be full of life and people.
"Yea sure mom. I just- I have to do a couple things first." I told her.
'Oh well okay then. Meet me at the mall? Then we can head out to your favorite Japanese restaurant for dinner, OK?' I nodded to myself.
"OK. I'll meet you there. Bye mom."
'Bye sweetie. I love you.' She said.
"Mhm." I said before hanging up. I slid the phone in my purse and began towards the door before I remembered something. Crap, short dress again.
…...
"Who is it!?" Marcus called through the door. I shivered hearing his voice. I cleared my throat.
"Xerxes! Is Nia here? I need to talk to her." I said. The door opened quickly and there he was in my face again.
"Xerxes." He smiled down at me. "Well don't you look pretty today. Ya know, we were just about to invite you over." He said.
"Really?" I asked puzzled.
"Yep. C'mon in." He said opening the door wider and stepping aside. I reluctantly moved inside the house. There were quite a few people here. I'd never seen them before aside from Tania and Marcus. There were two other girls and three guys. They all stared at me with curious smiles on their faces.
"Xerx!" Tania exclaimed rushing over to me. "I'm really sorry about earlier today. I overreacted. Stay. Party with us." She said.
"I can't stay actually. I just came to talk and then I have to go. My mom's waiting for me at the mall." I told her.
"Oh...okay...let's talk then." She smiled.
"Could I use the restroom first please?" I asked. Marcus pointed me in the right direction and I nodded my thanks and went on my way setting my purse down at the table. I shut and locked the door after me and stared in the mirror. Tania was acting so strange. She was probably drunk. I didn't want to be here anymore. I wanted to go home. I wanted to be with my mom. I ran my hand through my hair and decided I could talk to Tania later when Marcus wasn't around.
I heard something strange outside and pressed my ear to the door. They were talking and laughing. Something got thrown against the wall. Something was dumped on the floor. I opened the bathroom door quickly and stared at them unbelieving.
"My phone!" I yelled. "My- my purse!?" All the contents of my bag had been dumped on the floor and my phone laid broken on the ground next to Marcus' foot.
"Oops. Guess we got a little clumsy guys." Tania cooed with a smile on her face as I dropped to the ground trying to recover my desolated objects. I looked at her and shook my head.
"What the hell Nia!? What is your problem!?" I shouted pushing her.
"Keep your hands off of me you little bitch!" She yelled pushing my back. I fell into the arms of one of the guys there as Tania rushed us and shoved her hands around my throat choking me.
"You thought you could get away with trying to steal my boyfriend?!" She screamed as the others crowded around us grinning and laughing.
"Nia...please." I cried out.
"Go get the bleach!" She yelled at one of the girls. They complied with her orders and came back with a bottle of bleach. Marcus came over then and grabbed a handful of my hair dragging me into the bathroom with the girl and her bottle of bleach following close behind us. She unscrewed the cap and he held my mouth open as she poured the substance into my mouth. I began coughing and crying as I tried not to swallow, and then not to vomit.
"Aw the poor little tramp's crying guys." Nia cooed again. I spilled my guts into the toilet, my hands clinging onto my stomach. "Hit her!" She yelled. And Marcus did. I fell to the floor my hands flying up to my face as they jumped on me. The blows were coming from everywhere. My left and my right. I was almost positive I'd pass out before they stopped, but I didn't. They stopped before I could. I felt Tania grab a hold of my hair and she started cutting it off. My beautiful beautiful hair.
"Nia stop!" I begged. "Why are you doing this!?" I asked confused. She was my best friend and now she was hurting me.
"Take her to the bedroom boys." She said ignoring me. I reached for her leg and she kicked my hand away.
"Finally." Marcus said. "This is going to be the best part of your night Xerxes." He said smugly dragging me down the hall to the bedroom. They hovered over me and I watched them with horror and pain in my eyes as they shut the door. I'd never done this before. I'd never been a man..or a girl. This wasn't how I pictured my first time. Being beaten and battered. Tortured. Then left in an attic. I was so weak and tired. My body ached and my head was racked with pain. All I could do was think about my mom. She was probably wondering where I was. I didn't even tell her I loved her and now I would probably never get the chance. I vomited some more and eventually the next morning Marcus came to drag me back downstairs into the bathroom and left me to lay there.
"We need to think of something." I heard Tania whisper.
"We can't just leave her here." One of the other girls said.
"Well we can't let her go either!" The other girl said. "If she tells people what we did to her...oh my God. My mother will never look at me the same way." She cried. My mother would never look at me again either.
"Fine. I know what we have to do...kill her." Tania said.
"I'll do it." Marcus said. I could feel what little pieces of my heart I had left pounding faster and faster. My breathing increased to the point where I could barely breath again. My throat hurt. I couldn't scream. My eyes were swollen. I didn't want to cry. I heard his footsteps all over. I saw him through swollen eyes as he and Tania approached me. Knife in hand. God please, spare me my life.
"I won't lie to you Xerxes. You were truly the best friend I've ever had, but all good things come to an end don't they?" She smirked and kissed Marcus once before he stared down at me, raised the knife, and finally ended my misery.