Cherry's a BETAing vag-puncher, Mia sends me weird emoticons, and you only want me for my Rowdy.
I loved you all, once upon a time. *sobs and runs away*
Chapter Thirty-One: Copycats & Crutch-less
"You wear the red one, Charlotte Rose," I say, holding up a tweed dress. "I'll wear the pink one and then we'll match."
My best friend raids my closet at 5:45 am, panicking over what to wear for the first day of school. I thought we had it all planned out, but she's so nervous that she keeps changing her mind.
"I can't believe Renee bought you all these clothes. It isn't fair! Mama told me I could fit in the same jeans from last year and that I had to make due."
I glance at her in pity. I know how fortunate I am, wearing designer clothes Ma bought out in the city, but I make sure not to flaunt my wealth around. It wouldn't be fair or Baptist of me. "What's mine is yours, okay?"
Charlotte Rose smiles, touching the fabric. "All right. Thanks Cotton."
I grin back, ripping the tag off before she sees the expensive price. "No problem."
We spend the next hour primping, putting on makeup, and curling our hair. By the time we're done getting dressed, I've tossed on a light striped coat and my black wellies with a matching gem necklace. I feel like I can conquer the world—or at least tenth grade.
"How do we look?" I ask, staring in the full-length mirror.
"Sophisticated," she grins. "Like sophomores should be."
"Girls! Hurry up! Breakfast is ready!" Ma yells from downstairs, so I stuff my backpack with my new notebooks and trapper keeper. Charlotte reminds me to grab extra pens and I pack my front pocket with fancy ones, the kind with feathers at the top.
Charlotte Rose grabs my hand and we race to the kitchen where Ma's made our special first day of school meal. There's waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, bacon, and omelets spread out all over the table.
But I'm not focusing on the food; I'm too busy staring at my little sisters.
Alice Jo grins at me, sticking out my yellow boots that match her blue jeans and yellow sports jersey. She's topped it all off with a backwards cap.
She looks absolutely ridiculous and I despise her for it.
"Like my outfit, Cotton?" she smirks, stuffing a waffle into her mouth.
"You look-"
I'm about to say a not-so-nice word, but she stops me. "Great, right? One might even call me, sex-y?"
She emphasizes the last word and Ma holds up a spatula to chastise her. "Alice Jo! I don't like that word!"
AJ just laughs. "Sorry, Ma."
I'm gonna kill her. One of these days, I'm going to bury her tomboy little body in a ditch and all that will be left behind is a stray baseball bat and a tattered shirt.
"Do you like my dress, Cotton?" Jessie stands up from her seat, twirling in circles. "Ma got me boots just like you. And my dress is all frilly and pink and I look like a princess, don't I?"
"My princess," Ma agrees, kissing her cheek.
"What is going on here?" I pout, falling into my chair with crossed arms. "Boots are my thing, Ma! Why did you have to go and buy her those?"
"Oh hush, Cotton. She looks adorable. All of you do."
"I have no identity!" I say, stabbing my omelet with a fork. "Where's the uniqueness? Folks always say, 'Cotton Swan? I know who that is. She's the girl that always wears the boots.' But nooooo, not now. I'm just one of many in this cesspool of copycats!"
"Yeah, you're a copycat!" Jessie accuses AJ, poking her in the arm with a slice of bacon.
AJ yells, "ow," Ma tells us to cut it out, and Charlotte Rose tries to yank off Jessie's boot in my defense.
By the time we leave for school, I'm the only one wearing rain boots, and there's not a thing AJ can do about it.
.
.
.
Usually Charlotte Rose and I ride the bus that picks us up at the end of the road, but it's nice to have the Masen boys join us this year. When we arrive five minutes late, Rowdy and Jasper are already there.
And Rowdy is crutch-free.
"What in the world?" I ask, wrapping him up in a hug. "No crutches?"
"Nope," he grins proudly, kissing me on the lips. He leans forward, still uneasy on his feet, but I don't mind holding his weight. "I figure I better start off the new year without people calling me wheels or cripple."
"I wish they would," Jasper mutters. As much as he and Rowdy joke around, I know he would protect his brother at all times.
"They wouldn't dare!" I threaten. "I'd gut 'em like fishes!"
"Cotton!" Charlotte Rose opens her mouth in shock. "That isn't a very nice thing to say."
I shrug. Nobody messes with my boy. Rowdy laughs and wraps an arm around my shoulder. "Cottonseed's gotten feisty."
Damn right.
"Do you know what classes you're taking, Jasper?" Charlotte Rose asks him.
Jasper is just a grade below us in ninth and Rowdy is in eleventh. It'll suck not having at least one of the boys in my classes.
"Integrated algebra," Jasper answers, pulling out his class schedule they mailed the week before. "US history. And Living Environment, whatever that is."
"It's a science class," Charlotte Rose explains. "I hope you get Mr. Cooper. He's real nice and all last year we just watched lots of science documentaries."
"Nice," he says quietly, kicking a pebble onto the main road. I know he's sad 'cause AJ is still in middle school, but I reckon he'll make it. AJ is going to cause a whole heap of trouble by the time she gets here next year, and I doubt Jasper is ready for the loudness that is Alice Jo Summer.
For the first time, I truly notice the Masen boys' appearance. Their clothes aren't brand new exactly, probably second-hand, but they're new to them and they both look great. Rowdy's wearing a grey tee with a plaid shirt over it and faded jeans. His book bag is slung over one shoulder, but the best part of all is that he's smiling.
We wait a few more minutes when Riley Biers—the same one who gave Rowdy the necklace at the cake-walk—drives slowly towards us. "Y'all need a ride?"
Riley's the same age as Rowdy, only he's got his license and he's responsible. He's a good kid and Deacon Biers brags about him all the time in church. Riley unlocks the doors to his used Ford Explorer, and without asking us twice, we jump in.
Way cooler than that stupid yellow submarine they call a school bus.
.
.
.
The first day of school is just like I expect it to be, with folks being obnoxious and carrying on like they haven't got any good sense. Everyone acts like they haven't seen each other all summer and the teachers act like we've never left. By the time fourth period is over, I have homework assignments and a paper due by next week.
The tenth grade sucks.
Rowdy and I agree to meet by my locker for lunchtime and when he approaches, he's limping badly. "Rowdy, you all right?"
"I'm fine," he groans, leaning against the wall. "This school is bigger than my last one."
"I'm sure Riley can take you home to get your braces," I say softly.
"No!" He yells a little too loudly and it makes me nearly jump out of my skin. "I mean, no. I've got it. It's just been a tough morning. Let's just get some food, okay?"
Rowdy's never raised his voice to me, ever. I'm startled and feeling uneasy that he's so upset and full of pride. I reckon I don't see what the big deal is or what he's trying to prove. The whole town already knows he's sick. School isn't any different, and I don't understand what the fuss is all about.
We walk in silence to the cafeteria, where it's as noisy as can be. Riley, Jasper, and Charlotte Rose are already at a lunch table in the corner and they've saved our seats. Once we buy our lunches, we take our chairs at the round table.
Jasper looks at Rowdy with concern, like he's about to ask the same question I did earlier, so I shake my head slyly to warn him. Don't say anything. Please.
Charlotte Rose is rambling about one of her teachers when she stops mid-sentence. "Oh. My. God."
I've never heard her use the Lord's name in vain. The remaining three of us turn our heads toward the cafeteria doorway as Jacob Black walks in, the three Weber girls sashaying behind him.
He looks … bad. Not bad as in sickly bad, but bad as in he's got a leather jacket on and his hair's all gelled and he's grown several inches. He's much taller than the last time I saw him at my house earlier that summer. But the worst part of all is that the Weber girls are eating it up. They're hanging all over him, dressed in slutty clothes I know the Reverend would never approve of.
"Turn around," I hiss to everybody. "Don't look their way!"
It's too late. Jacob spots our table and strolls towards us, one book that I'm sure he'll never crack open tucked under his arm.
"What's up?" he says all smoothly, narrowing his eyes. He frowns at Rowdy and I, whose hands are held together on Rowdy's lap.
"Fuck off, Jacob!" Rowdy growls, not even trying to keep the peace.
"Was I talking to you, Stilts? No!" Jake rolls his eyes and tries to engage in conversation with Riley, but Riley just stares at him. Angela giggles and gives me the middle finger, thinking no one notices.
Our table is too quiet. It's the kind of quiet that festers and I know some kind of anger is bubbling inside of Rowdy. He's already having a rough day and Jacob is just making it worse.
"It's good to see you, Cotton," Bree says all sweetly. "You and Rowdy look real cute together."
I'm surprised she's actually being nice, so I reply, "Thanks."
"Yeah," she continues. "I mean between you smelling like a gator's ass and Rowdy walking like a stupid chimpanzee, you make the perfect couple."
Charlotte Rose inhales sharply at Bree's snark, and Jacob laughs so hard he has to hold his stomach. Rowdy lets go of my hand and in slow motion he stands up.
"Get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. Here." he seethes, his voice dripping with hatred and anger. I lightly touch his arm, telling him to calm down.
"You should have heard him reading in class when Mrs. Tanner called on him," Victoria adds, ignoring him. "T-t-t-he U-u-ni-i-t-ted S-t-t-tates of An-t-t-ar-tica … It's America, dumbass!"
The four of them double over, mocking and making fun of Rowdy. Rowdy's face is bright red and his fists are balled up so tightly, his knuckles are turning white.
I slam my lunch tray on the table and year old meatloaf goes splattering. "Why the hell are you so mean, huh? Why can't you just leave us alone?"
It's the wrong question to ask and Angela steps in front of me, breathing into my face. "Because you shit-faced Holy Roller, you got us grounded all summer. But guess what? Your rich little daddy ain't around to save your ass anymore. I'm going to make your life a living hell, Gator Girl!"
Rowdy holds up his fist and I'm pretty sure he's about to swing. Jacob grabs his arm and snarls. "I wish you would try, motherfucker. I'd kick your ass before you could even take a single step." He bends Rowdy's arm back so hard, Rowdy stumbles against the table. I try to keep Rowdy upright so that he doesn't fall and Jasper stands up, ready to throw down.
"Let's go ladies." Jacob throws his arm around two of the girls. They start walking but Jacob pauses and turns around. "Oh and Rowdy, I saw a couple of newspapers with your name on 'em from Rosedale. Just to let you know, I'm the fucking king of football around here. The only balls you'll be tossing this year are your own, Cripple."
Their group strolls away laughing and Rowdy looks like he's about to explode.
"Rowdy?" I touch his arm lightly, but he snatches it away.
"I've got to get the fuck out of here!" Rowdy grabs his backpack from the floor and leaves, nearly tripping over the chair. I can tell he's in severe pain as he stumbles away. I try to call out to him, but Jasper stops me.
"Don't Cotton," he says. "You can't reason with him when he's like this. Just give him some room to breathe."
"Breathe?" I ask miraculously. "He needs me Jasper! I need to catch him before he does something he'll regret!"
"He ain't gonna do nothing. Rowdy needs time to cool down. Jacob doesn't even know what he's started."
I have no idea what he's talking about and Jasper sighs. "Cotton, Rowdy was the best damn football player I've ever seen. I'm not even saying that just 'cause he's my brother. He's good. I mean, really good. Jacob wasn't lying. He was in the newspaper all the time and was the high school's number one running back. He was untouchable. But when he got sick…"
He trails off and I finish the rest for myself. He lost a part of himself.
"You only know the sick Rowdy. But long ago, he was Edward Masen, football star. He can deal with them pushing him around and calling him crippled and even making fun of his reading. But the sports stuff? They messed up, Cotton. They messed up real bad. Now Rowdy's gonna act like he's got something to prove."
I frown because Rowdy can't prove anything. It's his first day without his arm braces and he's struggling as it is. I glance across the cafeteria, where Rowdy has finally made it to the doorway. He snatches a poster off of the wall, decorated with swirling designs the cheerleading team must have made.
Football tryouts.
I sigh as I realize there's nothing I can do. I tried giving encouragement and love and all the good stuff a girlfriend is supposed to give her boyfriend. But for my boy, he's not in the offering mood.
Today I learn something that neither scriptures nor Jasper can teach me.
Jacob Black is on a personal mission to destroy Rowdy.
I just wonder how long before I'm left to pick up the pieces.