Started with a babe

"Are you sure you're fine sweetie? You know you can talk to me about anything and everything right?" Mom said. I came back home last night because Lauren and wife had come back.

"Yes mom I promise nothing happened." I said reassuringly.

"Okay hon. I'm sorry I yelled at you, I know you're in high school and you will be drinking. Just try to be more careful. You better go get ready for school or you'll be late!" She gives me a quick kiss on my forehead and leaves for work. 

-

I'm looking for Iris as I hear the bell ring for first period. Where is she?? I scan the crowd and suddenly spot something from the corner of my eye. I do a double take to make sure my eyes aren't playing tricks on me. 

No.

It can't be.

Why is he here? 

How.

No. 

I panic and rush through the doors of the bathroom. I bend over the sink and start hyperventilating. My chest gets heavier and heavier and I feel lightheaded.

 "Calm down Skye. Breathe. It's okay you're okay. You're safe. Why is he here. How. No." I scream in frustration. 

"Skye what happened???" I hear a panicked voice ask. 

I can't breathe.

"Hey hey look at me Skye. I'm here, you're safe. Keep breathing." a soothing voice tells me. I try slowing down my breathing.

I feel someone taking my hand and gently squeezing it. "It'll pass soon you're okay Skye. Hey, you're okay." 

I finally calm down and look up at Iris's face which was filled with worry and curiosity at the same time. "Hey, what happened? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"I- I uhm I- Jason- my ex uh I- he's here at this school and Im- I-" I start panicking again.

"Hey hey it's okay we don't have to talk about it alright? You're okay." she reassures me.

"Thank you Iris. Thank you so much." I say and hug her. 

"Of course Skye. I'm here for you. Now, do you wanna skip class or are you okay?" she asks.

"I think I'm okay. Let's go." I respond and we make our way to class.

-

I sit next to Iris on Wilder's and Zack's table with my tray. I start picking at my food without really eating it. I haven't been able to  stop thinking about Jason. 

"Do I know you?" I hear Iris say.

I snap my head up to see who Iris was speaking to. Speak of the devil.

Jason ignores Iris's question and looks directly at me. "Well hello there Skylar." he says with a smirk. Once upon a time, that smirk would've floored me. But not anymore.

I look at Iris alarmingly. She realizes what I was trying to telling her, "Go away asshole we don't want you and your stupid face here." she says while I avoid eye contact with him.

"Woah woah calm down." he says with his hands up, "I'll see you around Skylar." he says with a wink.

I breath in and out and try to stay calm.

"What the fuck was that?" Wilder asks, visibly confused.

"That's Skye's asshole of an ex." Iris says.

I look at him and see his jaw tick. His grip around the fork he was holding tightens. He gets up suddenly and starts walking towards Jason.

"NO WILDER WAIT." I say and grab his hand before he could go further. "Not right now." I say with a pleading look.

He slowly nods and looks down at our intertwined hands. I realize I'm still holding his hand and drop it quickly and walk back to our table. After a moment he follows me.

-

Bell ringing

Ugh finally. I just wanna go home, curl up under my  blanket and sleep in complete darkness.

"Skylar Jennings?" I hear my english teacher's voice say.

"Yes Mr. Hart?" I ask nervously as everyone starts leaving.

"I'd like you to stay back for a few minutes." he says.

"Okay Mr. Hart." I respond. Why does he want me to stay back? Did I do something wrong? Oh no is it because of the number of times I used the word therefore in my speech on Shakespeare last week?? I didn't mean to it just seemed like the most appropriate word to use at the time. 

I watch the last person leave class and take a seat.

"This is regarding your Shakespeare based speech you gave last week Skylar and-"

 "I'm so sorry Mr Hart I should've just used Hence or thus, therefore just seemed more professional and appropriate." I explain worriedly.

"Wait what? I was going to say that I think you have a real knack for public speaking. Your GPA has also been exceptionally high this year and I've put in your name for Valedictorian."

"Oh. OH that's amazing thank you so much Mr, Hart!" I gush. Valedictorian?? That's so crazy mom's gonna freak.

"Now nothing's been set it stone but between me and you, I think you have a pretty good shot." he says with a smile.

"Thank you so much professor I can't believe this." I say.

"Of course Skylar. Now go along it's getting late." he waves his hand.

"Okay professor thank you again!" I say and walk out of class with a big smile on my face.

**TW: Harrassment** (Those of you who are uncomfortable with this can skip it, basic summary: Jason becomes violent with her) 

"Now what are you doing here Skylar? Waiting for me?" 

I stop dead in my tracks. I know that voice. 

"L-leave me the fuck alone Jason." I manage to get out. I try to keep the panic out of my voice.

"Oh come on now.... that's a little harsh don't you think?" I hear him say and suddenly feel him grab my arm and push me against the lockers.

"WHAT THE FUCK OW JASON." I scream. My back stung from the impact. 

He leans in and I feel his breath on my neck.

"I missed you." he whispers.

"Get the fuck off me Jason." I say keeping my voice steady. 

"Come on don't be like that Skylar. You know you want this." he breathes.

I look around desperately in search of Wilder or anyone but the hallways were empty. No this can't happen again. I won't let it.

I quickly bring my knee up and drive it into his crotch. 

He doubles over in pain and lets go of me. I kick him away immediately and run out of the school as fast as I can.

**IT'S OVER**

-

"Hey honey! How was school today?" I hear my mom chirp.

"It was fine."