A Storm Arrives

We're finally starting the group phase in Drama, which is nice, but it does mean me and Trish are going to have to interact with other people. I suppose we have gotten a bit insular, it couldn't hurt to have to talk to other human beings. Gene will post a list of roles and anyone who isn't acting gets to pick one of the backstage teams to join, I'm not much of an actor, but the technical stuff is great fun, so I'm sort of hoping for the opposite of most. The class waits for our teacher's arrival, who's apparently running late, guess artists aren't constrained by normal things like... Being on time.

"So how long did you last at the cinema before you gave in and started fucking?" Trish asks. She's been asking questions since we arrived, I simply smile, it's for me to know.

"Why would I start bragging about time with my girlfriend when you're clearly so lonely?" I counter. I know it's harsh, but Trish is a big girl, she can take it.

"Aww, you said girlfriend..." Trish coos, her face contorting like she's seen a kitten. "But you're kinda right, you had time to talk me up with your sister?" She asks.

"You spoke to her last. Besides, why are you so convinced she's interested?" I ask.

"I'll tell you when you're older. She's my white whale, my Moby Dick, I'll get her if it's the last thing I do." Trish gloats. This is getting a tad intense for me.

"I'm going to assume that whatever you're not telling me excuses how creepy this whole thing is." I decide, prompting a confirmation nod from Trish. "Also, I'm pretty sure you're meant to go for your ultimate goal last, it's kind of what ultimate means." I add. Trish shrugs, but doesn't have time to argue, as Gene finally enters the room, followed by... Is that?

No.

"Sorry I'm late, my little artists, some admin work to do, our roster is decided, you'll be able to see the castings on the blue sheet, and sign up for a backstage role on the green sheet." Gene explains, pinning each sheet to the cork board. I barely listen. My eyes are transfixed on the girl who entered with him. My eyes are focused on Jenny.

The fuck is she doing here?

She looks different, her fake tan is gone, leaving only her natural pink skin, the dye in her hair is washed out, leaving only her natural brown, but what stands out is her face. Jenny's a sadist, there's always a malicious grin pinned to her face, a cold look in her eyes, and bubbling **** just under the surface. This Jenny? She just looks empty. She doesn't make me feel scared. She does piss me off though.

Before I know it I'm rushing towards her, fist clenched, heart pounding, a part of me wants to take a swing as I get closer, but a hand on my shoulder grinds me to a halt, and Trish steps in front of me.

"You.. You have a lot of balls coming in here." Trish growls. I can feel the rage in her voice, she may be the only person more furious than me.

"I didn't have a choice, I had to move classes and Gene was the only one willing to take me. I'm not here to cause trouble, I'll stay out of your way." Jenny responds robotically. Her eyes barely acknowledge our existence, they're glazed over, soulless. Half of me is curious as to what had this effect. The other half just wants to punch her.

"That's it? Queen Bitch gets her ass kicked and we all move on now the odds aren't in your favour? Not even an apology? Do you think I've forgotten who you are? You ruined my life for over a decade!" I unleash through gritted teeth.

"Would you accept an apology?" Jenny replies. Is that it? Is that all she's got?

"No. But it's easier to kick you in the face if your kneeling." I spit back at her.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry, but I've got nothing else, if you want to kick the shit out of me go ahead, I don't care anymore." Are the words that reach my ears, as if pre-recorded. It makes me angrier.

"Is there a problem here?" Comes Gene's serene voice. I look around to see the rest of the class have already signed the sheet and are gathering their possessions. "I said, if you've signed up prepare a proposition for your group's responsibility, to present next lesson." Of course Gene's pawning us off, at least it means we don't have to- "As you three took so long, I've assigned you all to sound."

"No way, I'm not working with this psycho." I blurt out. I'm not sorry. I don't care if I get failed, it's the better option.

"Scarlet!" Gene's voice booms. As if through a megaphone. the change in his tone stuns me for long enough for him to continue. "I'm fully aware of the circumstances, and as far as I'm concerned the matter is settled. I can't **** you, but without this class, Jenny can't attend school here, if you **** her to go will it make you feel better?" Fuck, this guy's unprofessional. Usually it's what I like about him. I look to Jenny, or the empty husk that used to be her. She's no threat, even if she tried, I'm not the coward I was before.

"Fine." I conclude.

"Thank you. I think that's a very mature choice." Gene answers, turning to leave. "Don't make me regret it." He adds. Him regret it? How would-

"I won't." Jenny answers. Oh. That makes more sense. "Thank you, for not getting thrown out." She adds to me.

"You aren't worth the effort." I answer honestly, beginning to leave the studio when Trish's voice stops me.

"They got rid of you, didn't they?" It asks. I turn to see her still standing in front of Jenny, arms crossed. "Where are you living?"

"With Gene, he found me in the park, after school suspended me it was the last straw, he threw me out, and it's not like she was in fit state to stop him. Gene said I needed to go to school if I was going to stay with him." Jenny explained in a monotone voice. "I deserved it. Monsters don't get a happy ending."

"Oh, shut the fuck up." I yell, walking back to the Bitch. "So you've had a rough time? So what? It makes all the shit you pulled okay? Get over yourself, you're not a monster, you're a person, who did some fucked up stuff, and now you come in here all emo, like that fixes it? How about you put the fucking work in for once and actually earn all the trust that's been put in you?" I continue screaming. I don't know if I'm trying to break her or help her. Probably neither, but it makes me feel better.

"Free period. Tomorrow morning. We're going to get the proposition done, after that I can't promise anything." Trish follows up, not looking her in the eyes. She takes the lead out of the room, with me close behind. As we head towards the canteen she stops in her tracks.

"You okay?" I ask. Stupid question, but it's all I've got.

"I just need a little time to think, I'll catch up with you later?" She answers quietly. It's been a while since I've seen Trish so rattled. She heads in a different direction as I proceed to the canteen, right now there's only one person I want to see.

"Thank God you're here." I declare as I latch onto Elise with a hug. "This morning has been a nightmare."

"It's been like an hour, how bad could it be?" Elise giggles as I release my grip and sit down next to her. I explain the events of Drama, of Jenny's return, and Trish's departure. Saying it back, it doesn't seem so bad, but for me it feels world ending. "So that's pretty bad. How are you holding up?" My girlfriend asks, placing her hand on mine.

"I don't know... Is it bad that I don't feel bad about what happened to her?" I ask, I need a moral compass, and Elise is the only one I know can guide me right now.

"You don't have to feel bad for her, she didn't when she had the power. But I'm proud of you for not getting her thrown out though, it was kind of you." She reassures me. What did I ever do without this girl? Again, stupid question. I didn't do anything, that was the problem. "Stay at mine tonight, my parents texted and said they're out again, let me take care of you this time." Music to my ears.

"Hmm... I dunno, staying over again without another date? I'm starting to think you're using me for my body." I reply, when another curiosity grabs me. "Are your parents ever home? I feel like I'm never gonna meet them."

"Well, I'm absolutely using you for your body, and your mind, and your heart, it's a good package! My Papa's a busy man, and a lot of these appearances need him to appear powerful, so Mama almost always accompanies him, it's just normal for me, they're home maybe half the time?" Elise explains. Sounds lonely, not like I can turn her down after that sob story.

"Fine, but I'm packing a bag first, and you're buying me dinner, I'm classy like that." I joke. Only Elise could make me smile today, if she needs company, I'll be her company. The fact that we didn't get time this morning is also a factor, I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss her touch.

Now I just need to think of an excuse to convince Mum.