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Teenage Ghost
Inja came to school in tears. She wore a modest top and long skirt that matched. Her hair was back in simple low ponytail. Silent tears streamed down her face as she walked to school. Every step she took a painful reminder of what she endured at home. Every step took her closer to the things she had to do. Her friend’s social media stunts had become so popular that parents had been sharing them. Her parents had seen the pictures.
They saw the one with Evan’s arm around her to keep her warm.
She had denied it was her, she had denied he was her boyfriend.
Now she had to quit the team, she could no longer be head cheerleader. She had to leave her friends. She had to promise she would never talk to or see Evan ever again. She had lost everything, everything she ever wanted.
Jody, Belenda, and Kiesha got out of the car in the student parking lot and made their way inside. None of them had heard from Inja since they left the movies. They rushed to the girls lockers room, and waited for their friend to show up.
“I can’t believe we’re at school two hours early.” Kiesha threw her head backwards.
“Something happened.” Belenda said calmly and sat down on the bench in front of Inja’s locker. “And we’re going to be here for her.”
Inja turned the corner into the girls locker room. At least being this early she would have time to herself, in the silence of the locker room. She could have time in the place she loved, with the memories that made her the happiest she’d ever been. She could pull herself together, and hopefully find the courage to do everything she had to do.
Just as she was nearing the shower entrance she heard the girls talking.
“I bet her parents went crazy when they found out about the pictures.” Jody pointed to her phone. “My mom said everyone was talking about them.”
“I’m grounded for a month.” Kiesha replied.
“My mom’s out of town.” Belenda shrugged.
Inja walked around the row of lockers and faced her friends. Tears streamed down her face, she was barely able to say, “Guys…”. Inja became a blubbering mess. Sobs so forceful they shook her til she almost fell over. She choked on the lump in her throat for air to breathe.
Jody set her phone on the bench and lunged forward to catch her friend before she collapsed to the ground.
“Oh no!” Kiesha gasped.
Belenda rushed to Inja’s side and began rubbing her back. “It’s going to be ok Inja. It’s going to be ok.”