I woke up around six this morning. I could feel where the cigarette burns were all over my back and legs. Pulling the duvet of my bed and walking across my room, I reached for my cooling gel. Applying a little on my finger, I hesitantly applied some to my back and the backs of my legs. Stung like a bitch every time but after a few seconds the gel would get to work and soothe the burn. Twisting in odd ways to get the gel on my back, I finally covered every burn, hopefully. I dressed in a loose sweater and thermal pants, with my black ankle-high boots. I put make up on; mascara and concealer to hide the circles around my eyes and some dark red lipstick that matched my sweater and hair. I grabbed my bag, pa-cked my books, purse, keys, phone and beanie. I stopped by my door, listening for my father moving around. I couldn't hear anything so I rushed out of my room, down the hall, past the living room and kitchen, and out the door. I jumped in my car and drove off before Valentine could even realise I was gone. Speeding down the road, I stopped at Simon's house and beeped the horn. He came out running, awkwardly. "Hey Clary. Are you good?" Simon asked. He was my only friend and the only one who knew what Valentine did to me. He has been there for me since we started pre-school together. "Yeah hey. Just a few cigarette burns, not too bad. I was a bit late last night. Traffic." I saw his face sag. I hated talking about it, and this was why. The pitying and worrying looks he gives me. I know it's hard for him but I have dealt with this for years, and we're graduating in the end of the year. Trying to change the subject, "So, you finish the project for Mr. Garroway?" I ask.
"Yeah, just. Rebeca was home last night and he brought Roy with him and god forbid I love my nephew but he is the worst baby to baby-sit. He. Never. Goes. To. Sleep."
"Ah, so that's why you look like shit today?"
"Thanks, Fray."
"Welcome."
On the way to school I pulled in and got a croissant for breakfast. When we pulled into the school carpark it was already full. We had the 'It Squad' over by the expensive cars in their 'VIP' places. Over there we have, head cheerleader, Isabelle Lightwood and her posse. The jocks, Jace Lightwood and his boyz – spelt with a 'z' obviously. They were your regular bitches and obnoxious man-whores. The girls hung off every word the jocks said, especially Jace. Girls wanted to be Izzy, or anywhere near her, because of what came with her. Guys wanted to fuck them. The Jocks thought they could. Anyone, anywhere. The sad thing is that most girls would drop their panties for them knowing that it was a one-time thing, and that the guys didn't care to be gentler with them even though they all knew most of them were virgins. All of the Jocks, had reputations as players, and they weren't far off. And like every rule, there is an exception. Despite what those boys and girls alike say to the other students at school for being gay, Izzy and Jace's brother was a part of the squad because Izzy and Jace wanted him around, and it wasn't questioned. Alec was not a jock, nor a cheerleader. And he was gay. Now I ain't hating on him for being gay, but how can he stand to be around them when they all tease other gays at school, well except Izzy and Jace. I haven't actually seen either of the Lightwoods bully anyone, but then again, they have never stopped it.
To get into the school building, everyone had to past them. And like every day of my life I get called upon. "Oy! Tiny girl with the red hair? Where do you think you and your faggot friend are going? Kindergarten is down the road." Kaelie said
"Oh, yah cause' I'm short? So, funny. Look I know this is a challenge for you but 'originality' is something you should aspire to have. No one likes a comedian who can't come up with her own shit." Wow un-leash the tiger Clary, what is with me today? Death glaring Kaelie, I saw her face turn from amused to shocked to embarrassed to rage. It made me smile. I had the attention of the squad now. I heard the first bell go somewhere far away, but I didn't care.
"What did you say to me?"
"I said originality is something you should try and learn. If you want to make people laugh Senorita Fucktard, come up with your own stuff." I replied. She started stalking towards me, mad as shit. "You think you're funnier than me Clare -"
"Actually, it's Clary."
"Does it look like I give a fuck." she shrieked. Yes, getting on her nerves
"well I just thought you wouldn't want to fuck something so simple up again you know. Like how you're not very original. And how you think Simon's gay. And that your top makes your boobs look bigger. Trust me it does, but it also shows off your rolls. Embarrassing." Man, where were my claws coming from. From behind Kaelie, I could see most of the guys trying to contain their laughter. Even Jace was smirking. The girls looked mad, except for Izzy who was looking at the situation with interest sparked in her eyes.
"Bitch please I don't have no fucking rolls-"
"Ah Kaelie? Look." She looked at the side of her stomach and sure enough there were rolls. Her face went red and her hands balled into fists. I saw her try to subtly take a step back. See the thing is when you've been abused basically your whole life, you see the signs when someone is about to strike. The change in stance to become more balanced. The tensing in the arms and back. Their body leaning slightly away from you so they gather momentum. And tick after tick Kaelie did that. When I knew she was going for the blow I looked to the side a bit, making her think that I was 'distracted'. When I saw in the corner of my eye that she was coming, I struck out catching her fist mid-air. "Oh Kaelie. Don't you know? Hitting is mean." Squeezing her hand as hard as I could, she finally let out a yelp of pain and collapsed to the ground. I looked up and all their faces were in shock. Except for Izzy who seemed oddly…. satisfied. She looked like she was smirking. With the rest of my claws I settled my gaze directly on the Lightwoods. Taking a few, slow steps forward, I pinned them with my eyes. Fierceness gone I asked the question that had been burning on the tip of my tongue for years. "Why? Why do you let the bitches of your posse," I stared at Izzy, then turned to Jace, "and the man-whores that you call your boyz bully everyone? I know you don't like it. You never take part in it. But you let them. I mean you see them every day calling out guys who aren't sporty faggots. And the girls who look tougher than them lesbians, when you have your own brother, who you love, standing with you. And it doesn't stop there. You let your 'friends' use girls for sex. Virgins no fucking less. How fucked up is that Jace? Do you know? Because if you do, and let them do that shit to girls not only are you the most scared little shit-head I know, or disgusting for letting them do it, but you obviously don't give a crap if one of them had charges pressed against them. Losing their future, a chance to become a half decent bunch of guys. And Izzy, you let your bitches push round girls because they don't where enough make up to classify them as pretty. And you see them every day, dropping girls and boys stuff to the ground, tripping them over, vandalizing their stuff and spreading shit rumours about them. And you wonder why people hate high school. And Alec, you let your brother and sisters' friends, and yes, I know you don't like them, torment people who are going through what you didn't have to go to because you hide behind your siblings or they make you hide behind them. Do you feel guilty about that? About any of it? Do either of you? You three, you run this school, everyone you see walking the halls with you, they fear you. It's practically terrorism. You could transform this school into a place where the kids actually want to be. Where they feel safe, confident, beautiful and fucking welcome. All you have to do is say the magic words. You tell your fancy 'squad' to shove themselves up their asshole with a brick if they can't change and be fucking nice. You let the school know that bullying stops, that everyone is equal and wanted at this god forsaken school because they fucking deserve it. We have dealt with your friends rathe since the beginning of high school. Don't you think it's time to change?" with that I turned around from the Lightwoods stunned yet impressed faces, and their squads vicious accusing eyes, to find Simon's stunned face and Kaelies scared face. I walked up to her. "And Kaelie if you're going to hit someone," at a blinding speed I took two steps closer and collided my fist with her nose, hearing the crunch that was going to have us both in pain, "Do it fucking properly." With that I grabbed my bag, Simon, and walked into the school.
