“Some guys were making fun of me after lunch,” I say quietly, and I hate that my voice quivers.
“Give me names.”
“No, Con.”
“Why do you let them get away with it?”
“Because it’s not worth fighting stupidity. I like me. It’s not my problem that everyone in this town is so… different from me.” Other towns probably have eccentric girls all over the place doing all kinds of cool witchy, gothic shit. But not here in Bear Creek. God forbid you be different around here. That I refuse to change myself to fit in is my biggest flex. To me, it’s bravery that everyone else is too shallow to see.
But I get disapproving looks all the time for my clothes, my hair, my jewelry. The incessant rumors are juvenile and exhausting. Nick once said that the assholes at school do it because they’re jealous I won’t give them the time of day, so they poke at me to get my attention.
I don’t believe that at all.
They want to feel big by making others feel small. I pity them, honestly.
“You should just kick them in their dicks. That’ll shut them up.”
“Or I could put them in the freezer,” I joke, trying to make light of my emotions.
“I have no idea what that means but I’ll help you.” Conner looks across the field at a group of students walking by. “We chopping them up to make them fit? Which freezer, the big one in your garage or the small one in the kitchen? I could maybe ask your dad if we can use his wood chipper.”
“Oh my god,” I smack his arm. “I was talking about a freezer spell. Not some Texas Chain Saw shit.” Conner doesn’t ask what a freezer spell is, and I don’t bother explaining because that’s not the point. The point is… “I was with Ryan when it happened.”
He freezes next to me, but his voice remains impassive. “Good. I hope he taught them a lesson in manners.”
“He didn’t.”
And that’s why I’m upset. My boyfriend stood there and let me get bullied and didn’t say a thing to stop it. He didn’t even follow me out here while I cried.
Conner sits forward. “I’m sorry. My ears aren’t working right. Did you just say he didn’t do anything about it?”
Shaking my head, I feel bad for even complaining. “Imean, it’s not like I did anything about it either.”
“Yeah well, you’re you.” Conner stands up and looks around. “You never stick up for yourself, Taylor. Which is why Ryan should have for you.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Yes, it is.”
I’m not having a fight with my best friend over this. I’m too fragile as it is. Carly, Dean, Nick, Bennet, and Conner are my only friends. Everyone else is either a mutual or an asshole. No one likes me because I make jewelry out of bones I find in the woods, and they make fun of me for liking “weird shit”. Some parents won’t even let their kids come near me. Like I’m a demon or something. It’s so annoying and stupid and ignorant and immature.
I should put them all in the freezer, honestly. But I don’t do spells like that because I only like to put positivity out in the world. If only some of that good energy would bounce back to me for a change, it would be fantastic.
“Dump his ass,” Conner orders.
“That’s drastic.”
“If he can’t fucking protect you, he’s not worth your time and energy. Get a boyfriend who will defend you.”
“That’s not…”
“Fine. I’ll dump him for you since you’re too nice to do it yourself.” He storms away and I race after him.
“Conner, stop!”
“I’m not about to let this slide, Taylor. Ryan should have stuck up for you.”
“He’s not a confrontational guy.”
