"Hey, babe. How was your day?"
"Great, how about yours?"
"The usual. Why does everyone hate me Taryn? What did I ever do to them?"
We were in grade 12 . . . It was 4 years later and those words still ring in my ears at night. I ask myself that question everyday too, why did everyone hate him? My sweet Jannie. Was it because he wasn't up with the crowd? Or was he, himself, not meant to work out. I mean, was it really what life had planned for him?
"Taryn, will you go to prom with me?"
"I wouldn't want to go with anyone else Jannie, you know that."
He was going to say something else, but his words got cut off.
"Shut up you stupid emo kid. Nobody likes you, she's taken."
That was followed by a loud noise which couldn't be mistaken. It was the sound of Jannie hitting the lockers. I opened my eyes after about a minute of this happening and seen nothing, or nobody, insight except for Jannie on the floor; you could tell he was in pain by the look on his face. I went to help him up when I was pulled back. It was him. Cory, the guy who had pushed Jannie and god only knows what else. He was the guy who was always picking with Jannie.
"Hey baby, want to go to prom with me?" He whispered into my ear.
I felt his hand slip into my back pocket. What an idiot.
"Get off me!" I yelled as I tried to break free of his grasp.
"You know you love me." He pulled me closer and his grasp got tighter.
"Let me go!"
I felt it straight away. He was no longer holding me. He was on the ground.
"You kicked him in his guy spot didn't you Jannie?" I looked at him with a questioning face.
He just laughed. So did I, the bell went off. I and Jannie decided to go to his place. I couldn't wait to tell my mom I was going to prom! I hadn't gotten a dress yet even though it was only a few days away. I wasn't expecting him to want to go at all, so I thought I would just enjoy the night getting ice-cream with Jannie.
*Three days later (Day of prom)*
Me and Jannie stayed at his place last night, so we walked to school together. I had gotten a black dress with black flowers on the upper part, ending around the waist. Each flower had a diamond in the center, it was obviously fake but I didn't care. I picked out the dress because black was Jannies favorite color. I wanted to surprise him though. It was knee length and very puffy, just the way I like it.
At this point the school day was about to end, so I weaved in and out through all of the people. I ran into someone, much taller than me, I looked up . . . Oh joy! It was Cory. Wonderful.
"My offer still stands baby, if you want to take it I'm-"
"Couldn't find a date huh? Probably because you're such a loser. I'll pass thanks."
I pushed past him and ran into Jannie.
"Hey babe, you excited for prom tonight?" I asked with enthusiasm.
He seemed upset. He looked down at me, his eyes were teary.
"Why does everyone hate me?"
"They just don't know you is all. Your perfect believe me when I tell you that Jannie. Perfect."
Sometimes I think it was my fault. Should I have given him a better answer? Should I have been more sincere? More questions I ask myself every day.
He didn't reply.
"I'll be at your place at 7 okay Jannie babe? I have to get ready." I kissed him on the cheek and off I went.
I went home and slipped right into my dress. My mom helped me do my makeup, we talked. Talked about how much fun she had, talked about Jannie, talked and talked until my hair and makeup were done, and I was sitting in the car outside of Jannies with my mother wishing me good luck.
"Hello Valerie!" Valerie was Jannie's mom. She isn't very nice though, she didn't reply. She just pointed me to his room.
I stood outside his door, "Jannie babe, are you ready?" I said as I creaked the door open.
There was no reply, I was expecting him to jump out and scare me, so I creeped in with my eyes closed. I turned around and looked at his bed, my eyes were now open, I wish they weren't. I wish I had of never opened my eyes. Just stayed turned around with my eyes closed for ever. Or better yet, wish I had of just went with him for ice-cream right after school. But I didn't do that. Instead I said we would go afterwards. I shouldn't have. I wouldn't have to see with right now if I had of followed through with my original plan. But I didn't.
