"I tried to kill Seiya," I admitted.
"Are you serious?" Mina questioned.
"Yeah, why do you think he went to another school? Nah... let me stop lying, I tried to kill myself."
"What?" Mina and Raye gasped.
"This is serious, how can you just joke about it?" Raye questioned.
"Because it's a part of my life that I overcame and became stronger because of."
"Why'd you do it or at least try it to, I mean?" Raye questioned.
"That's simple, you, Beryl and the rest of your crew. You won! You broke me! It was right after that Seiya thing. I thought that I loved him, now I realize that it was probably just infatuation on my part. Anyways, he told me that I was nothing but a piece of ass and that he didn't love me. It broke my heart. I started to think about my life. I wasn't contributing anything to anybody's life let alone mine, and nobody wanted me around so I figured that death would be the best route to take. My mom has these pills, one alone can put a 225-pound man asleep for 6-8 hours, it's like a mild horse tranquilizer. I took the whole damn bottle. Luckily, my brother was home from college on a break and had gotten got sick at a party and decided to come home early and found me. I was taken to the hospital, where they pumped my stomach and made me go through a series of therapy sessions that I'm suppose to continue to take until I turn 18."
"Oh my god, Serena! We treated you like shit and we knew that we were hurting you, but we never wanted you to actually die, let alone even try killing yourself," Raye exclaimed.
"It's okay, actually going through all that made me a stronger person and gave me a new outlook on life," I smiled.
"Serena, that thing with Seiya was ALL BERYL, ALONE. We thought that he was actually interested in you and it hurt our pride that he would choose someone like you over one of us. I mean let's be real, before, you were a nerd, and not an attractive one at that. When Beryl let us in on what she was doing, it was too late and we could tell you'd already fallen for him. We were disgusted with him and Beryl. She went too far and we made her stop. We made sure that she didn't spread the details around the school, either," Mina explained.
"Was it true, about you losing your virginity to him?" Raye questioned.
"No, lucky for me, a guy that actually deserved it, took that from me. Thanks, though for stopping Beryl."
"No problem, I just wish I could have stopped her before any of it happened in the first place." We sat in silence for the next couple of minutes, not sure what to talk about.
"God, I'm sorry for the way we've treated you. You're a good person and you didn't deserve that shit," Raye declared.
"You and Mina have been forgiven but it'll be a COLD DAY in hell when Beryl or anybody else is. How are you going to get a note sent to the courts about a therapist I've never been to?" I changed the subject somewhat.
"My therapist and I had a small fling awhile back and he's still willing to do anything for me. Don't you even worry about it, I'll take care of everything," Raye advised. Deciding to get off this depressing subject, we went back to watching TV and discussing our plans for the big Halloween party tomorrow night.
Walking into school these days is a lot better although I find it completely weird. I wasn't teased anymore, well with the exception of Beryl, but now people didn't look down on me. Everyone knew my name and felt free walking up and talking to me, openly, as if they had known me for ages. Guys surprised me the most though. Not to sound conceited or anything but more than half the male population in the school wanted to date me. They'd wait for me by my locker, carry my books, walk me to class and lunch and even pay for it, anything just to be able to talk to me. True, I was loving the new attention I was getting, but I never forgot how they treated me before, lower than a dog. They acted as if they were nobles of a court and I was the lowly servant that scrubs their toilets, so I simply listen to what they had to say but politely declined on any and all of their offers.
Today was no different, as soon as I walked into school with Raye and Mina, two football players walked up to me, Chris and Troy.
"Hey Serena, are you going to that party tonight?" Troy questioned.
"Yeah, I think. Wait, lets' be clear, which one are you talking about?"
"The one at that club," Troy replied.
"Hellfire, you mean," Chris cut in.
"Yeah that one, thanks man," Troy exclaimed.
"Yeah, we're suppose to be going there, but I can't be too sure. Raye's driving tonight, so you would have to ask her." As Chris opened his mouth to say something, a short girl with long hair so dark it looked blue pushed past us.
"Amy." The girl looked up and I was able to see that her face was red and puffy and that she was crying. She never stopped running and it wasn't long before she disappeared down the hall. I handed my book bag and books to Troy because we have the same class and took off after her. I found her 10 minutes later in our old secret hideout we used during our freshman and sophomore year. A small storage room that the janitors had stopped using many years ago. She sat on the floor crying in front of a broken display model of the Earth.
"What wrong, Amy? What happened?"
"I came to school early to finish my model of Earth for my Environmental Science class and I had to go to the bathroom. When I walked in Beryl was already in there. She remembered that you and I are friends and she took my model and broke it. She said that it was your fault that she broke it, that you should learn your place and not to mess with her. I know it's not your fault, she's just a hateful person. But what am I going to do, this is due today," Amy continued to cried.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure the teacher will give you some extra time to turn it in," I rubbed her back.
"No, she won't. She already told us that we can't turn in extra credit work late, no matter what."
"OH MY GOD, AMY. You're crying over extra credit. I know for a fact that all of your grades are high as hell anyway. Missing one assignment that doesn't even count against you, is not a big deal." Amy taking a minute to think about it, actually stopped crying and started to laugh.
"You're right, Serena. I have a 102 in the class, but all this hard work went down the drain and worst of all, she won't even get in trouble."
"Oh, don't worry, Beryl has hers coming. Nobody messes with my friends, that's a line that she just shouldn't have crossed." I walked Amy to her class and explained the situation to her teacher, who understood all too well because of her own run-ins with Beryl. Walking to my class I couldn't help but get pissed.
'What made her so high and mighty, that she could judge people? What gave her the right to treat people like shit, especially my friends? Amy never did anything to anybody, Beryl had no right to target her just because she's my friend.' I walked into my class and saw Beryl sitting in her desk acting like nothing happened.
"Why Serena, I saw your friend running down the hall, crying. Amy, that's her name right? I hope she's okay," Beryl was acting a little too innocent and fake. Okay, I may have been wrong, but seeing her act like that pissed me off to a new extent and I snapped, I grabbed her by the collar of her shirt and yanked her up.
"I don't like you. Okay, let's be honest, I can't fucking stand you. I put up with your shit because you're not worth my time or my effort but if you ever mess with any of my friends again. I WILL FUCK YOU UP, no questions asked," I pushed her back as I let her go of her collar, causing her to fall out her desk and on her ass on the floor.
"Ms. Hunter, you saw and heard her, she just assaulted me and threatened to do it again," Beryl cried, standing up.
"Oh, I'm sorry Ms. Watson, I wasn't paying attention. Maybe someone in the class saw something," Ms. Hunter suggested. As Beryl looked around many of my fellow classmates shook their heads, saying no, which totally shocked me. I thought that they'd be on her side.
"You mine as well sit down Beryl because nobody saw anything," Raye sneered.
"I'll get you," Beryl whispered, looking at me as if I should be scared.
"I'll be waiting," I walked to my desk, sat down, and listened to Chelle as she started class.
At lunch, we sat in the courtyard and talked. "So, Serena. What was the deal this morning? What did Beryl do?" Mina questioned.
"She did something to a friend of mine because she's my friend. I don't care what she does to me, but it's just wrong to involve someone that has nothing to do with our conflict between one another," I replied, just as I saw Amy walk into the courtyard. I figured she was looking for me so I waved at her and to prove my point, she started to walk over.
"Hey Serena," Amy muttered, slightly nervous because of the presence of Raye and Mina.
"It's okay, Amy. They're okay. Raye, Mina, this is Amy. Amy this is Raye and Mina." Everyone did their nice to meet you's and shook hands.
"Serena I wanted to know if you wanted to come over tonight and watch horror movies while passing out candy to kids, like last year?"
"Actually Amy, I'm suppose to go to a party," I exclaimed and watched as her face fell, "but why don't you come with us," I added.
"Um, I don't think that's a good idea. I'm not like you guys and I wouldn't fit in," Amy put her head down.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean, you're not like us. What's that suppose to mean?" Mina questioned getting slightly defensive.
"You all are gorgeous and very popular. Have nice clothes that show off your figures and other attributes. I'm nothing like that. The only friend I have IS Serena. I'm just your ordinary ugly nerd, who wears clothes even a homeless person wouldn't wear," Amy continued to look down.
"Amy, you're not ugly," I began only to be cut off.
"Yeah, you look way better than Serena did when she was in nerd mode. She needed a lot of work. I mean she had to go to a professional salon, but all you need is a new hairstyle. No offense or anything but long hair doesn't really fit your facial structure. You could also use some new clothes, a touch of make-up and a whole hell of a lot of self-confidence. Serena was WELL HIDDEN, you on the other hand not so much so-," Mina started.
"Gee, thanks Mina. I'm not sitting right here or anything," I cut in, sarcastically. 'You just got to love Mina's outspokenness and blunt personality.'
"Sorry," Mina muttered.
"Amy, Serena used to hide behind her books, clothes, and glasses but as you can see we brought her out and we'll do the same to you. Meet us at Serena's house today at 4:00," Raye exclaimed, just as the bell rang signally the end of lunch. We all rushed back to our classes and made it back just in time to not receive a tardy. After my confrontation with Beryl, she seemed to have disappeared, so the rest of my day was quiet.
At the end of the day Raye and Mina dropped me off, while they went out to buy our costumes for tonight. Amy being the early bird that she is came over at 3:30 rather than 4:00.
"Serena, I'm not so sure about this," Amy looked so worried. It was kind of funny.
"It'll be okay, Amy. Trust me," I smiled, just as Raye and Mina walked into my house. Considering that I know nothing, what so ever about make-up and fashion I opted to stay in the living room and watch TV, when they dragged Amy into the bathroom. They spent the next 2 and half-hours in there and I could hear Amy constantly protesting about everything, her hair, the make-up, the outfit and shoes they wanted her to wear. It was hilarious.
When Amy finally did come out the bathroom, BOY did she look different. For one I was used to seeing her in the same clothes that I used to wear and now she was standing before me dressed as Marilyn Monroe, in the famous v-cut white dress that was blown up by the wind. She hadn't put on the platinum blonde wig yet and I could see that her long black hair was now gone, now it was short and curly.
"I told you, you weren't ugly," I gloated.
"Thanks," Amy chuckled.
"Now that we're done with Amy, it's your turn," Raye turned to me.
"Nope, I already went through this with Manny," I tried to edge away from Mina and Raye.
"Oh, stop being a little punk, we're just getting you ready for the party, nothing serious. I got the perfect costume for you, I picked it out myself," Mina grabbed my arm, stopping my escape.
"Now I'm really scared," I whispered as Raye and Mina now dragged me into the bathroom, Amy laughing the whole time. TRAITOR! I came out, a little under an hour later dressed as an angel with a matching halo and wings. I had no problem with the costume initially EXCEPT for the fact that it was LOW CUT and WAY TOO SHORT! The silky white dress stopped mid-thigh with wafer-thin straps, crisscross style bodice with matching white ankle strap-up heels. Raye curled all of my hair, while Mina did my make-up along with showering my body and face with white glitter. When they were done, they kicked me out the bathroom so that they could get dressed. They came out a little under 2 hours later.
Mina came out dressed as the devil with her hair straightened and streaked with red. She wore a short red skirt with a red bra and matching jacket, left open to show off the bra. The part that got me was that her outfit was SHORTER THAN MINE, which I didn't even think was possible. She also had a pitchfork and matching horns and tail.
Raye came out as a French maid. She had her hair crippled under her maid hat. The dress was about as short as mine and the apron tied around her waist showed off her butt. She wore black stilettos to ascent her long legs in short, she was every man's fantasy.
"I'm not so sure about this, you guys," Amy muttered, looking down at herself.
"Come on Amy, you only live once mind as well make it count," Raye countered.
"I agree with Amy, sort of, anyways. Mina where the hell did you get these costumes, an xxx-rated type of store? They look like something that came out of a cheap porno movie," I pointed out.
"Ha, see how much you know, a cheap porno movie wouldn't be able to afford these. Besides we have great bodies, we might as well show them off, we're not gonna have them forever," Mina smiled.
"I see your point, but damn, it doesn't have to be this short? For future references you, Mina you are to never pick out any costumes or clothes for me," I began.
"Me too," Amy added.
"Hey, what's wrong with what I pick out?" Mina questioned.
"Mina, I'm glad I have a nice body and all, but everybody doesn't need to see it. It's always good to leave something for the imagination and you never do that. It's too late to pick another costume, so let's just go before I change my mind and refuse to leave the house," I headed to the front door, followed by Amy, Raye and Mina. After locking the door, we all jumped in the car and decided to drive around for a bit before going to the club. As 11:00 rolled around, we had already parked the car and were walking towards the club. I assumed that Raye and Mina knew the bouncer because they walked straight past the end of the line and went right to the front. Just as we were about to walk in, we were stopped.
"Raye, I can't believe you would walk past me without saying hello," the bouncer, a muscle bound browned skinned male exclaimed.
"Oh, I'm sorry Marcus, I wasn't thinking. You'll forgive me, right," Raye smiled, placing her hand on his arm. She was the queen of flirting, she could have any man she wanted with just a look and Marcus was no exception.
"Of course! Chad came up here, he tried to get in, but I made sure he didn't," he boasted.
"Thanks! Oh, by the way these are my friends Serena and Amy, you already know Mina," Raye introduced everyone. We went through the whole introduction process and soon we were walking into the club. I thought that we would find a table on the ground floor, but Raye surprised both Amy and I when she directed us to one of the upstairs VIP rooms. As we sat in the VIP room, I found myself increasingly thirsty. The waitress was off somewhere catering to other club patrons so I decided to just go and get my drink.
"Raye, I'm gonna go to the bar and get a drink. I'll be back." She merely shook her head and continued to talk with college guy dressed as a vampire. Just as I finished the coke I ordered, I felt someone pinch my ass. Turning around I found a Zorro grinning from ear to ear. I raised my hand to smack him and right as I was about to let him have it, he caught my hand and yanked me into his arms.
"You've already smacked me enough to last a lifetime, sweetheart," he smirked.
"Darien, you bastard," I laughed.
"Is that any way to treat your boyfriend?"
"When he hides his identify and pinches my ass, yes. What are you doing here?"
"My boys wanted to come tonight, so here I am. I saw you when you walked in, but I wasn't sure if it was you. I've never seen you wear anything like this before. God, you look good!"
"Thanks, baby. The costume is courtesy of Mina."
"Well remind me to thank her," he took my hand and guided me into another VIP room, where his friends were. They were gathered around a table with lots of girls surrounding them. As he walked up holding my hand, many of the girls began to glare at me. I simply shrugged it off and continued to look around the room.
"Guys, I want you to meet Serena. Serena these are the guys, that's Isaiah, Chris, Jason, and Mike," Darien pointed to each guy as he said their name.
"So you're the girl that Darien is ALWAYS talking about. I see why now, you're beautiful," Mike pointed out, the girl sitting beside him tried indiscreetly to elbow him the stomach. 'Jealous much' I thought.
"Thanks," I smiled as Darien sat down in his seat and pulled me onto his lap.
"This is your seat," he whispered into my ear. Darien's friends were nice and funny as hell but after a while I was bored and quite sick of the other girls at the table without dates glaring at me.
"Well, it was nice to meet all of you, but I need to get back to my friends," I exclaimed, cutting into their conversation. Before Darien or anybody could do or say anything, I jumped off his lap and gave him a quick kiss and left the room. As I was walking back to Raye and company, I found my path blocked by none other than Beryl.
"God what the hell do you want, NOW?"
"I would like to see you suffering in pain, but I'll be happy with your complete and utter humiliation," with that said Beryl walked away.
'Well, that was weird, but considering that it's Beryl, it's not surprising,' I thought to myself as I continued on my way.
"What did Beryl want?" Raye questioned.
"She said that she would like to see me suffering in pain, but she'd settle for my humiliation. Some shit like that."
"OH SHIT, I forgot about that."
"Huh, forgot about what?"
"There's this guy, Jay Walker a.k.a. Crash that performs here every Halloween. He picks a 'supposedly' random girl to go on stage, make up a chorus to his freestyle on the spot and sing it in front of everyone. He's one of Beryl's "friends", he's willing to do anything for her since she'll pay him back in the bedroom. She picks the girls knowing that either they can't sing or just can't do it. She chooses girls she can't stand and wants to embarrass, my guess is that's gonna be you."
"OH is that all," I waved it off.
"What you do you mean is that all? She's gonna embarrass you in front of everyone. The last girl that it was done to was so embarrassed that she transferred schools and moved to another state by the next day." Just as I was about to reply, we were interrupted when a dark skinned man, a couple of years older than us walked on stage.