Chapter 17: Mean
Today is the first day I'm going back to school after the live broadcast since we did it on Thanksgiving weekend. I'm really nervous. I don't want people to treat me any different. It's almost time for me to get up and get ready. I've been up almost all night because I've been so worried. My alarm sounded. I groaned but rolled out of my bed. I went to my closet. I picked out my black sweater and black leggings. I went into my bathroom. Great! I have the darkest dark circles in the world! I pulled out all my make up and got to work. 30 minutes later I look like I usually do. That actually didn't take as long as I expected. I plugged in my curling wand. While I'm waiting for it to heat up, I brushed out my hair and added a heat protectant. My hair has gotten so long! I started to curl my hair.
"Hayden! Are you almost ready?" Taylor yelled.
"Almost!"
I finished curling my hair and ran downstairs with my book bag.
"Ready. " I said.
I followed Taylor out to her car. After Christmas break I'm able to start taking drivers Ed. I'm so excited! Taylor drove me to school.
"Do I have to go?" I asked.
"Yes! You will be fine. " Taylor said.
I sighed and got out of the front seat of Taylor's car. I walked into the building holding my breath.
"Hi Hayden! How would you like to eat lunch with me today?!"
I turned around to see miss popular girl Courtney.
"Um, no thanks. " I said.
I know she's only asking me that because of the broadcast.
"Why not? I've always liked you!" She said.
"We both know that's a lie. "
I walked away. I hate people that do that. I know who my real friends are. And popular girl Courtney, we have never been friends and we never will be friends.
She huffed and turned to walk away.
I went to my locker and my best friend is standing there.
"Hey max!" I said.
"Hi Hayden! When were you going to tell me you were adopted by Taylor freakin swift?! I told you she is my idol and you just said me too!"
"She is my idol. "
"That's soooo cool!!"
"Yup!"
I walked to first period. So far things haven't been so bad like I half expected.
"Hi Hayden!"
I turned around to see the whole football and basketball team. They've never talked to me. Ever. Or even noticed I exist.
"Hi. " I replied.
"So, would you wanna go out sometime?" One of the guys asked.
I think his name is Landon. I thought about that. He's probably only using me for Taylor.
"No thanks. " I walked away.
"Get her!" Landon yelled.
Then all of the football and basketball teams ran tears me and started to kick and hit me.
"Stop!" I yelled.
They didn't listen. I fell to the ground and laid in fetal position. I moved my arms up to protect my head.
"Leave her alone!" A voice said.
I didn't look up for the fear of being kicked in the head.
"Your not in this, Justice!" Landon said.
I quickly looked up. Justice is the boy I have had my eye on since Braxton left! He is the captain of the baseball team.
" I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE!" He yelled.
He walked to me pushing the other guys out of the way. He grabbed my hand and helped me up.
"Are you ok?" He asked.
I nodded my head yes.
"We both know that's a lie. Come with me. "
I followed him outside of the school building.
"I can't skip. " I said.
"You're hurt. "
"I'm fine. I have to go back. "
"Hayden! We both know your not fine. Tell me what happened. "
He seems so sweet!
"I don't really know. Landon asked me out and I said no and then everybody started hitting and kicking me. " I said.
" it's a good thing you said no. Landon only wants to use you since he found out Taylor swift adopted you. "
"I figured that. "
I laughed.
" I should take you to the nurse. Your lip is bleeding. " justice said.
"Oh, I'm fine really. "
"Your not fine. I'm taking you to the nurse and that's that!"
He grabbed my hand. Not in the holding hands way but in the come with me now way. I followed him.
"Those guys are jerks. I wish you never had to experience that. "
"Yeah. Well, that's the kind of thing that happens when you Taylor swifts daughter. "
I laughed.
"Hayden, you don't understand. That's not ok what happened. "
"I know it's not ok. "
I looked down.
We are in the nurses office now.
"What happened?!" The nurse asked.
"The whole football and basketball team decided to beat her up because Landon asked her out and she said no because she thought he's using her because Taylor swift adopted her. And that's true. " justice explained for me.
"Oh my gosh. Ok lay down. "
I laid on the bed. Justice sat on the one next to me.
"You don't have to stay with me. " I laughed.
"I kinda do. "
He pulled up his sleeve to show a deep cut bleeding everywhere. I flinched. And looked away.
" did Landon do that?" I asked.
"Yeah. "
"You shouldn't have helped me. I would have been fine. "
"I'm glad I helped you. "
I smiled at that thought. I hope justice isn't doing this because of Taylor. I want him to actually mean it.
"Do you mean that?" I asked.
"Yes. "
"Prove it. "
" truthfully, I didn't know you got adopted by Taylor swift until you just told me. So rescuing you was an act of pure kindness. " he said.
I smiled.
I guess there are nice people in the world. Not everybody has to be Mean.