Y2K pt.9 Strung Up.
Walking out of my house, I noticed the sky was already painted with the colorful streaks of the morning. The sun was breaking light earlier than it had been in the last few weeks.
The morning after my first night school class was surprisingly very warm for late February. During my morning stroll to school, more students were enjoying that welcoming change and walking to school as well.
When I had arrived on the campus grounds, I found CC and Betty enjoying the beautiful morning at the picnic table looking like a couple of sirens beaconing some poor sailor to his death.
Was CC wearing a skirt?
With fishnets?!!
And Doc Marten boots?!!!
Be calm, my aching heart!
I must be that poor sailor— because I was heading their way.
"Top o' the mornin'!" I greeted them warmly and trying to sound like an Irishman.
CC turned around and waved at me.
Betty glared at me.
"You suck, you know that," She said and crossed her arms grumpily.
"What did I do?" I raised my hands.
"I had trouble sleeping." Butty grumbled. "That stupid ghost story."
"What ghost story?" CC snapped up quickly, leaving the little doodles she was doing in her notebook.
"I told her about the girl in the bell tower." I chuckled.
"Oh. Her? Yeah she's real." CC stated. "Kenny..." CC bit her dark colored lips immediately after muttering his name. She sat quietly for a moment and took a deep breath before continuing.
"Umm...he freaked out once when he saw another reflection of someone walking beside us on the trophy case. It was just us there."
Betty shivered.
"Speaking of Kenny, I saw him yesterday after school twirling around his little rifle. I really wanted to see him smack himself." I chuckled.
CC gave me a scolding look for saying his name as well.
"I'd rather it hit Heather. That Bitch." CC said coldly.
She just sat there speechless, frustrated and biting her thumb. Something was really bothering her today.
"Ugh! I can't stop thinking about him!" She shouted.
CC got up and stormed off angrily.
I watched her storm off into the library, my chest sinking. I hated seeing her like this—angry, confused, heartbroken—and knowing I couldn't do a damn thing about it.
"What?" Betty just froze in confusion
I shook my head and sighed. "This is another reason why I can't come out to her. She's very strung up on Kenny."
"I see that." She agreed.
Betty and I were just left alone at the picnic table staring in disbelief.
"I don't know how she's ever going to get over him." My head rested on my hand. "How did you get over your ex?"
Betty quickly blinked. "Brandon?"
"Yeah...I think?" I shrugged. I didn't recall her saying his name before.
"That was easy for me. He was a real piece of shit." Betty had some regret in her voice.
"Jesus." My jaw dropped. "What the hell did he do?"
Her expression was bitter and spiteful. "He slept with my friend the moment I was gone."
My knuckles turned white from my tightly clenched fist.
One of the things I couldn't stand or forgive—especially since it hit close to home—were cheaters.
Betty adjusted to bring out more to the story. "Oh, and that's not all. He apparently slept with her friend, too. AND—"
"And?!" I was shocked.
Seriously? Was he a sex addict?
"Her friend's little sister." Betty glared angrily. "A thirteen-year-old."
The anger emitting from Betty's light blue eyes was more than enough to kill with a simple glance.
"Thirteen?!" My breath caught. My hands clenched so tight they started to ache.
"That piece of shit!" I growled lowly.
I've never hated someone I've never met until that moment.
"Did he at least treat you right when you were together?"
Betty cocked her head to the side. "Eh. Looking back at it. Not really. He didn't want to be seen with me. I wasn't skinny enough. Or country club enough."
"Jeez. That's fucked up." I muttered.
"I felt taken advantage of," Betty said softly. "Because of him, I don't even know if I want to date again. But, I also don't want to be lonely, either."
I gave Betty a warm smile. "If it helps, I might know someone that might be interested in you." I hinted about Bear.
"Oh." Betty didn't know how to react.
"There is a guy that had asked me out recently."
"Oh?" I questioned.
"Yeah. I'm not really looking to date—but he seems sweet and not like the others that have asked and I refused. I figured I'd give him a shot. Who knows? Maybe we'll connect." Betty shrugged yet was hopeful and optimistic.
"I wish you luck then. Whoever it is, already sounds better than what you had." I added.
CC had returned to the picnic table with us. Her eyes were puffy and I could already tell she cried during her absence.
I didn't know what to do or how to help her.
"Are you ok?" I asked CC showing her my concern.
She just nodded, her smile cracked and watery. "I think I'll be alright." She sniffled. "Did I miss anything?"
"Just Betty talking about some guy that asked her out."
"Oh?" CC hummed and clicked her tongue. "I'm still not sure it's a good idea with him."
Betty was really thinking about this new guy.
The Morning bell rang loudly, echoing across the courtyard.
"We meeting here for lunch?" I asked while grabbing my backpack.
CC nodded. "I think so. I definitely want those Cheeto thingies again.
"Cheeto thingies?" Betty questioned.
"The best thing you'll have for lunch. Better than the cardboard pizza." CC giggled.
"You got it." I pointed to her. "Well, I'm off to see what strange new torture Coach had in store."
As they walked off laughing, their silhouettes fading into the crowd, I just sat there with a knot in my chest.
CC was still in love and aching for Kenny.
Betty is moving on with...
Wait a minute! Did Bear ask her out?
She never said who did.
I just hoped, for Bear's sake, it really was him.
As for me?
I wasn't sure where I stood in all this.