Standing Out

Although the secretary’s nonchalance was appalling, something even more appalling followed. Jessabelle visited me.

I’m not really sure what she was thinking, but it certainly wasn’t sincere, especially since she brought Sara.

My heart twists with the memory and my brain has long strained to forget. But nothing can be undone now.

Thinking back on the altercation feels like being sucked into a white whirlpool that is somehow a gateway into the deep depths of my misery.

I had just listened to my parents recount their abysmal argument with the secretary even though I had already overheard the entire ordeal. It was enough to hear it once, but to hear it twice was a different story. I was ready to take a nap, so I lay down.

Once again, it occurred to me how wonderfully convenient the hospital was. All I had to do was sleep and eat. I considered asking for another milkshake before I drifted off, but my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open.

Through my feverish eyes I could see the outline of a girl. She had long, jet black hair and a stubby nose. She was rather tall for her age and very slim. I gasped. It was Jessabelle. I was feeling too sick to get up, slap her, and then run away, so I just lay there in shock. If that wasn’t enough, another girl stepped out from behind Jessabelle to stand at her side. I knew that pallid face anywhere. What could Sara possibly want from me?

They walked slowly toward me and I tried to retreat into my bed sheets, but it was no use.

“Hi, Mya,” Jessabelle began. “How are you feeling?”

“Well, I was doing fine until you showed up. What do you want, Jessie?”

“I wanted to give you a get-well-soon gift and apologize for my actions this year.”

Sara piped up, “Me too, Mya. Even though we were supposed to be good friends, I wasn’t very nice to you. I was too concerned about myself to care about your feelings and I know that it hurt you. I hope that you can forgive Jessabelle and me.”

I wasn’t having it today. “Look, it’s nice that you’ve finally come to your senses, but I don’t want an apology from either of you.” I let irritation creep into my voice. “Jessabelle, you apologized to me once this year and then you left me to save your social status. I suspect you brought Sara in the hopes that I would soften to your conceited plea.”

Sara shook her head. “Jessabelle isn’t lying, Mya, and I’m not either! We’re really sorry and we care so much about you. You have to listen!”

I narrowed my eyes. “I have no reason to believe that either of you are being honest. Please just go. I need to sleep.”

“But, Mya,” Jessabelle protested. “Sara is your friend, so if she thinks I’m being truthful, you should believe her.”

“You need to leave.”

Sara pushed for her cause. “I just think that you should give us a chance.”

I glared at her. “No. Now go.”

They looked hurt, but I didn’t care. After leaving their present by my bedside, they exited the room.

Curious as to what they got for me, I opened the gift-wrapping. It was a card. How thoughtful.

I squinted and read the message, Hi, Mya! I hope you feel better soon and forgive us for upsetting you this year. It would be nice to be friends again. Love, Sara and Jessabelle.

There was something very familiar, however, about the penmanship. As I contemplated the inscriptions that I had encountered this year, I was certain that the handwriting was Cindy’s.

Although I found it rather offensive that Jessabelle had the nerve to give me a present that clearly Cindy made, I was beginning to feel stronger as a person. Even though they had been my only crutch at school for a lapse of time, I had found my own feet. Sure, I was standing out for my insecurities. But at least I was finally standing on my own.