Ever since the faint spell I had, life has been kinda, good actually. Surprisingly. Every little thing Owen would do for me unnecessarily I liked him a little more. Except the time when he insisted he would get me a glass of water. Like, I can walk.
But the tension in the house kinda lifted for me. I still got nervous around his hot coffee but other than that, I didn't jump when he touched me, I didn't try to avoid him when we were in a room together, he never made fun of me for anything. It was actually, okay. Soon school would start again and I have been having small panic attacks, thinking about George finding me at some point out of the house, but Owen's been reassuring me through those too. I felt safe for once with someone other than my mom.
College started, and I've been having issues all over again. But this time, they're, kinda different. An issue I never really dealt with before. This new girl came up to me one day and started hitting on me. And, in my book, is a no no. I tried to tell her I really wasn't interested but she wasn't having it. I'm agender. I'm not a gender. She just doesn't, get it. It brought me to the point where I faked being sick. I couldn't handle it. I tried talking to my mom about it but, what can you do about something like that?
Her name is Lydia, and she just doesn't. Leave. Me. Alone. Like I have no problem in friendzoning her, but, she doesn't take no for an answer. It's very, very uncomfortable for me. At least she uses my preferred name. I give her credit for that.
"Good morning, Jess!" She sang in a cheerful voice one morning before classes. I groaned and slapped my phone on my forehead.
"Morning, Lydia." I could have ignored her, but I was raised to be nice. Maybe I could get those new Airpods and hide the fact I have them in by using a hat...
"What cha doing?" She asked, sitting next to me at the table. Too close. I wanted to scoot over.
"Just, playing on my phone.." I started. I was trying to keep the convo simple. She didn't.
"Are you busy tonight? I wanna do something. I've been bored for too long." That set me off. Hell no.
"Uh, I just remembered, I gotta be somewhere." I muttered absentmindedly. I've had enough of this girl. I stood up and low and behold, she stood up along with me.
"My class doesn't start in a while-" I cut her off.
"No, no, I'm fine, I'll go by myself." She was going to give me an attack I just knew it. I had to get away. I couldn't stand her anymore. I left the room and hurried out of there. My class didn't actually start until half an hour, but what's wrong with going early? Nothing at all, if it meant getting away from Lydia.
Lydia told me the times of all her classes so I made sure to stay away. I've had enough of this girl and decided to go to the principal if she continued again. I wasn't going to let it continue.
After my classes I hightailed it out of there. I got in my van and before I could even start it up she was frickin there. Just, right there by my window. I about called 911.
She motioned to me to roll down my window and I hesitantly did so. "Jess, where ya goin'?"
"Home." I said quickly. No, I was going to travel to Europe. I wish.
"Got anything planned? I wanna hang out."
"Yeah, actually, I'm hanging out with a friend of mine." Okay, so the only friend I have is Joshua. So what?
Before I continue, I think I need to clear up some confusion about Josh. He, isn't actually real. I hate to even say that, but he isn't. He's like, a part of my imagination. I like to think of him though as a part of me, my mind. I met him when I was real young after my biological father was sent to jail, and he's been a comfort to me ever since then. My mind even created a last name for him, Ritter. I like to think I was actually Joshua in a past life and he or myself, comes to see how the new life is going. I don't know. But I would gladly use Joshua as an attempt to get away from Lydia.
"Can I join? What's their name?"
"Uh, no, it's just our thing, ya'know? We play video games and I think we're going out somewhere, uh, school related." I completely made that up. I haven't played a video game in a long time.
"Oh, okay. That's fine. Have a good time!" She smiled and went away. Finally. I started my van and got the heck out of there. If I had to, I would hide in my van. It could be my second home in order to keep hidden from Lydia.
"Jess, someone's at the door for you! Lydia?" Owen called. I almost fainted. What did she not understand about no?
My mom came by my door as I poked my face out.
"Is she the one?" Mom asked.
I nodded. "I'm not home." I whispered. Thanks to mom for saving the day.
"Lydia, Jess is kind of busy right now." Mom said, going to the door.
"Aw, okay. Just making sure. I'm just really bored."
"I know, but they can't hang out right now. Maybe another time." Great. Yeah, thanks mom. More like maybe another time after I'm dead.
"Okay, I'll check tomorrow." She smiled and left.
"Jess? Who is this girl?" Owen asked, peeking into my room where I lay defeated on my bed.
"Lydia, the worlds creepiest and insane girl." I muttered. "I really want her to leave me alone but she never takes no for an answer." I shot up in realization. "How the heck does she know where I live?" I raised my arms.
"Have you talked to a teacher about it at all?"
"No, not yet. But I will. She freaking came to my house." I sighed and rubbed my face. This was fantastic.