"And then, James, like, asked me if I wanted a drink!"
The bubbly blond cheerleaders sitting across from the redhead won't stop recounting their latest conquests at finding a 'man'. Her green eyes narrow, amused, and she tries to hold back chuckles at the sheer arrogance of it all.
Did the girls realize what they were giving up?
Yet, Jenny says nothing. This is high school, a new start, and the first time anyone besides the local librarian acknowledges her. Her father hadn't even noticed she'd cut her hair.
Jenny is by no means a strange girl, and is well liked by many classmates. She's fairly attractive, and not too much of a book worm. She enjoys debate, and science.
But she also enjoys being alone.
Noemi suggested she make some new female companions, and so she had her mind set that she was. The only real issue with the whole situation was tolerating girls like this.
Ignorant girls.
"So...Jenny, is it?"
She smiles and nods, emerald orbs welcoming. The blonde flips her hair in a very girlish manner, smacking her strawberry scented bubble gum.
"Are you a...virgin?"
It's said like a dirty word, a pariah, and the redhead knows this is the million dollar question. Girls at this school pride themselves on looks, boyfriends, and sexual reputations.
This is as close as she'll ever come to using her smarts in this childish setting.
A niggling thought irks her a bit that maybe she should just tell the truth, because of course she's never lied this way before. She may not be any good at it.
She read once that it's like a skill, and takes practice.
She knows she needs to start now if she'll ever be half way decent.
Besides, it's just a little lie.
"No, not at all."
A white grin, sparkling green eyes. This is met by equally as downright vivacious looks.
The niggling thought that she's never even held a boy's hand growls a little at this.
"You want a joint?"
"No, Kath, I don't."
Light brown eyes, like a soft oak, travel down his body to stare at his sneakers, and he watches the girl take a long drag from the nasty contraption.
He knows those lips are soft though, the ones that wrap around the paper. Oh, how he knows. They're pink, like cotton candy. Taste like them too, when she's not inhaling ash.
She shuffles her feet, and he studies her quietly.
"Jet, why are you acting so weird lately?"
The question is soft, so he can't help but be gentle, even though he learned long ago that gentle was for the weak. She's fragile, though, so he allows it.
Everyone in school knows that her step father does things to her.
His sweet, first love.
"Kath...nothing is going on. I don't know what you're talking about."
She looks up, and her eyelashes are suddenly moist. He doesn't know what to say.
He never has. Never will.
"Jethro...there's something I have to tell you."
He waits, and she continues, but he can barely hear her. Those pink lips whisper the words so soft, as if she wants no one to hear. He hears, somehow. He hears so clearly.
"I'm pregnant," she murmurs distantly, taking another long drag from that terrible cigarette.
"What?" She flinches, because now it sounds like they're really speaking to one another, and not just whispering to the wind. His voice is sharp, now. A slightly wild look in those blue eyes.
"Jet, you heard me. Don't think that," she breathes shallowly, " that just because of this you are gonna have to change anything. I already have a friend who's going help me get rid of it. Says she has some herbs that'll take care of it right away."
His head pounds, and it's hard to breathe. And he doesn't know why.
Was that...love he felt? For her, for it? No...because all of that is demolished as it stands.
"I hate you."
His nostrils flare, the words are bitter. His blue eyes are like stones.
He turns and walks away, leaving Katherine Johnston staring after his form, a detached look upon her face proof enough that things have ended. He knows he's told a lie, and he knows he's like his old man.
Such a big lie he's told.